Fundraising & Donating

 Make a Difference with Your Club or Society! 

Every year, our incredible Clubs and Societies raise thousands of pounds for charity, championing important causes and making a real impact. Whether you're passionate about health, education, the environment, or something else entirely, fundraising is your chance to shine—connect with fellow members, develop new skills, and feel the pride of knowing you’ve made a difference.

If you're planning to raise money for charity or for your club/society, this guide has everything you need to get started. Let’s make your event unforgettable!

1. Choose Your Cause:
Pick a charity that resonates with your group. Some clubs support a new cause each time, while others vote on one to support all year long.

2. Reach Out to Your Charity:
Let them know you’re fundraising! They might offer helpful resources, promotional materials, or even volunteers.

3. Pick the Perfect Date:
Check for clashes with other events—or better yet, align with a bigger one to boost your audience!

4. Secure Your Space:
Book a stall at the SU building or Forest of Light via the Booking Hub. If your event is off-campus, don’t forget to get the landowner’s permission.

5. Complete a Risk Assessment:
Make sure your activity is covered. If not, submit a new risk assessment to the Activities team.

6. Spread the Word:
Use social media, posters, and word of mouth to promote your event. Keep Keele SU in the loop—we love celebrating your success! You might even get featured in the media!

As a registered charity, Keele SU can’t donate money or resources to other charities. This means club funds (like membership fees, grants, or sponsorships) can’t be donated directly.

To protect your committee and the Students’ Union, Clubs and Societies must not use personal bank accounts or personal card machines to take payments. All income should be collected using approved SU payment methods only.

This helps ensure transparency, proper financial records, and keeps everyone protected.

If you’re unsure which payment method to use, please contact the SU team before taking any payments.

 What you can do:
Donate the profit from your event (total raised minus costs). Just make it clear that donations go to the charity—not your club. Use the MSL Finance System and the ‘Pay Charity’ function to do this. Be sure to include a clear description for our financial audit.

Planning to serve food? Here’s what you need:

• A Food Safety Certificate (email su.activities@keele.ac.uk to get started)
• Public Liability Insurance
• Food Hygiene Certificate
• Allergen Training Certificates
• A Risk Assessment (including fire risk)
• PAT Test Certificates (for any electrical equipment)

All food must comply with the University’s Providing Food Safely Code of Practice.

Ready to get started?
Plan with passion, promote with pride, and fundraise with flair. Your efforts make a real difference—and we’re here to support you every step of the way!