Fundraise

Fundraising for the Genocide Intervention Network and the peacekeepers in Darfur can prove to your government that you are serious about stopping genocide.

Learn how you can get a copy of “The Devil Came on Horseback” or “Hotel Rwanda” for your event.

By hosting a fundraising event in your community, you can spread awareness about the situation in Darfur and give your friends, family, and community an unprecedented opportunity to contribute to peacekeepers bringing a measure of security to a country ravaged by genocide.

More than half of the money you raise goes directly towards civilian protection activities in Darfur. See our complete report on funding civilian protection in Darfur for more information.

For the people of Darfur, it is not too late. Yet. Money you can raise in your community will make a meaningful impact on the highly effective yet vastly under-funded peacekeeping mission in Darfur and the anti-genocide movement that supports it.

General Tips for Holding Events

1. Decide what type of event will be most effective for the goals you are aiming to accomplish. For example, would a film screening or speaker better suit your purpose for holding the event?
2. Test your idea out — ask a few friends what they think. Consider what kind of resources you will need to make it a success.
3. Get a team together, rather than working on your own. Make a list of tasks, find out what skills people have, and try to give them tasks they'll enjoy. Make sure everyone knows what their responsibilities are.
4. Come up with a back-up plan. For example, what will you do if it rains?
5. Do research and estimate how many people might turn up. What is the minimum number of people you'll need to make money? What's the maximum number of people you can accommodate?
6. Think about the best date. Avoid competing with another local function or a major TV event, for example. Agree on a realistic timetable and give each task a deadline.
7. Think of ways to keep costs down and your proceeds up. Try to get as much as you can for free — whether it's people's time, a venue, food, publicity, printing, commercial sponsorship or prizes.
8. Bring materials about the current situation in Darfur and the Genocide Intervention Network. All of our flyers and brochures, as well as multimedia are free and available on our site. You can request other materials by e-mailing us.
9. Remember to thank everyone involved and let them know how much they've raised.
10. Above all, make it fun!

Read more tips on hosting your own fundraising event.

Quick Event Ideas

• Dinners for Darfur are the most comprehensive approach to educating your community and giving them the tools for action.
• Virtual house parties will get your friends and family involved in the cause with minimal effort.
• Screen “Hotel Rwanda” or a similar film demonstrating the need to stop genocide.
• Selling stylish GI-Net t-shirts is an ideal way to spread the anti-genocide message. If you are willing to commit to selling at least 30 shirts, we can give them to you for just $7 a shirt. We recommend that you sell them for $12 a shirt, but you can set whatever price above $7 you think makes sense for your event. Then you can make a donation with the money you raise. To order the shirts at the $7 rate, send us a check directly, noting how many shirts you would like, the style/sizes you require, and the address you would like them sent to. Do not order through our t-shirt distributor's website if you want the discounted rate! Contact us if you have any questions.
• The Save Darfur Coalition also has green wristbands that have become one of the emblems of the Darfur movement. Purchase a few, then ask for a donation of $2 or $3 and help make Darfur activists more visible!
• Set up a donation box around your school, workplace, dining hall or place of worship. Distribute information about genocide (you can request flyers from us).
• Ask local musical groups to perform at a “battle of the bands.” Charge admission or set up a donation box at the event.
• Have a bake sale or car wash. Explain prominently that the event is to help protect victims of genocide in Darfur.
• Organize a tournament involving poker, video games, a dance marathon, etc. Charge admission from the participants of the event. You can either give a small portion of the proceeds to the winner, or have it be a “benefit tournament” with all winnings sent to the anti-genocide cause.
• Local businesses often look to promote philanthropic causes. Educate them on the aspirations of GI-Net and see if they would be willing to make a donation.
• If there is a Darfur-related event outside your area, encourage your religious organization or other group to sponsor your travel expenses.

Questions?

E-mail Us if you'd like more information, want to request materials to hand out at the event, or have any questions. And thank you for your dedication!