Keep your fundraising safe, legal and fun
Thank you for wishing to fundraise by organising your own fundraising activity "in aid of" the National Autistic Society. We want you and all those taking part to be safe and to ensure that all money is collected in the correct way.
Before you start fundraising "in aid of" the National Autistic Society, it’s important you read the guidelines below to make sure your fundraising complies with legal standards.
The National Autistic Society cannot accept liability for any loss, damage or injury suffered by yourself or anyone else who takes part in an “in aid of” fundraising activity.
Most importantly, have fun and enjoy playing your part in creating a society that works for autistic people.
We are so grateful to you for making a difference – thank you!
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Your safety and the safety of others should always be a top priority. You need to make sure that everyone will be safe at your event and you should carry out a risk assessment beforehand.
If in doubt about any health risks, take medical advice before starting your activity.
Consider whether your activity requires any kind of liability insurance.
Consider whether your event will require qualified first aiders in attendance at the event.
The Government website has a helpful guide on organising and running a community event with links to health, safety and legal requirements.
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Activities organised by supporters cannot be covered by the charity’s liability insurance.
If you are planning on holding an event that involves the public, you will need public liability insurance. This can be purchased from an insurance company or broker.
Check with the owners of your event venue or supplier, as they may have insurance that will already cover you.
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If you are holding a small raffle on the day of your event, you do not need a licence so long as the draw takes place at the event itself.
A licence is required if you plan to sell raffle tickets in advance of the event. Please read our handy guide to raffles.
For full guidelines and advice on holding raffles, or if you’re concerned about licensing requirements, contact your local licensing authority or the Gambling Commission.
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When handling or counting cash, please do so in a safe and secure environment.
When collecting or taking payments, make sure that the cash is secure by using a cash box with a lock or a sealed collection bucket.
Cash should be collected, counted, transported, banked and recorded by two individuals.
All cash received should be stored securely (ideally locked) until banked.
Cash should be bagged and banked in suitable bags and transported in a way that helps disguise the cash.
Ideally, cash and cheques should be counted and banked the same day they are collected, or at least within two working days.
Children under 16 MUST NOT be left with any responsibility for handling money or responsibility for counting collected money.
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The minimum legal age for collecting money is 16 in the UK. However, this varies across the UK.
To collect money in a public place, e.g. carol singing in your local supermarket, you must get permission (and in some cases, a formal licence) from either the local council, police, shopping centre, supermarket or other landowner and from the National Autistic Society.
Door-to-door collections are illegal without a licence and we do not have fundraising resources to support this or other on-the-street fundraising.
Please read our guidance on planning a collection.
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There are many elements to fundraising that require a license, including:
- entertainment, including recorded music
- holding a raffle, lottery or auction
- doing a public money collection
- putting up banners or signs in public spaces.
Your local authority will also be able to tell you what licence is required for your particular event.
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Food safety laws apply if you are selling food and drink to the public at your event. Please visit food.gov.uk for more information.
If you are selling alcohol, please be aware you may need an additional licence unless your venue already has one to cover your event.
Your local authority will be able to tell you what licence may be required.
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There are some activities which children and young people cannot carry out. The age restriction depends on the activity and where it is carried out. These activities include:
- street and house-to-house collections
- lotteries or raffles
- events involving alcohol.
If there are children involved at a fundraising event, please ensure it is a safe environment and they are always supervised. Where children are included, it is important that you:
- ensure there is an adult present to handle any money raised
- ensure you have a parent/guardian’s permission for their child to take part and for any photography of children at your event.
- For full guidance on children and fundraising, please refer to the Fundraising Regulator Code.
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All your fundraising activities and materials should make it clear that you are fundraising “in aid of” the National Autistic Society, and that you do not represent the National Autistic Society.
We have a variety of National Autistic Society fundraising resources for you to use to help promote your activity.
If you plan on producing your own materials, contact us for our “in aid of” supporter logo. You must not use our main National Autistic Society logo.
We would also advise adding the following statement to any of your own materials:
The National Autistic Society is registered as a charity in England and Wales (269425) and in Scotland (SC039427).
"In aid of" Fundraising Regulator definition
A volunteer who is raising funds either on their own or with others for a charitable institution independently of the charitable institution. In some cases, the charitable institution will know about the activity before it receives the money raised and in other cases it may not. If it does, the volunteer will sometimes use materials provided by the charitable institution.
Further resources to help:
Fundraising Regulator Code of Practice.
Government guidance on organising a voluntary event.
Risk assessment template and guidance.
The advice given here is clearly intended to provide general guidance only and to that extent the information conveyed is accurate at the time of writing.
Contact Us
Our fundraising team is here to support you, so do not hesitate to contact fundraising@nas.org.uk if you have any questions.