Guidelines for fundraisers

Do I need Insurance?

If you are running or hosting your own fundraising event you should seek independent insurance advice prior to organising your event. The Irish Cancer Society accepts no liability for any loss, damage or injury caused during the event you undertake. The Society’s insurance does not cover property or the property of your helpers or guests, nor does it cover your personal liability for any injury suffered by yourself or your event participants. Remember to use common sense when it comes to health and safety and if in doubt complete a risk assessment. Where food is involved, please take care and work to ensure safe preparation, storage and cooking. Please follow good hygiene practices.

Do I need a Permit?

Fundraising is all about having fun while raising money for a good cause, but you must remember that it is also subject to certain legal requirements. Outside of Daffodil Day it is the responsibility of you the Fundraiser to obtain all the necessary permits associated with the event from the Gardai, your local council, or from owners of private property etc. If volunteering as a street seller on Daffodil Day and you have been contacted by a member of the Irish Cancer Society or our community committees, these will have been arranged for you. If you are unsure what legal permits or license may be required, you can contact your local Garda station for guidance or get in touch with our fundraising team. Raffles and lotteries may also require permits. Small raffles held as part of a larger event do not require a lottery license provided ticket sales and the announcement of results take place during the event and there are no cash prizes. Larger raffles, lotteries and prize draws are all governed by legislation and will be subject to a Lottery License under the Gaming and Lotteries Act, 1956. See Raffles and Lotteries below.

More information about Garda Permits for Collections

Cash Handling

• Cash received should be collected, counted and recorded by two individuals.
• Cash collection buckets and donation boxes should remain sealed and not left unattended while in public and during the collection process.
• Cash and full buckets should be emptied and counted in a secure environment by two people and held in a secure place until it is possible to bank it. Income records should be made at the time of counting for reconciliation with banking details at a later stage.
• Deductions must not be made from cash donations received. Expenses must be paid (where previously agreed) by the charity after receipt of the cash.
• A receipt is given to the donor recording the amount of the donation, the source of the donation and the purpose for which the donation is being made (if relevant). If the total amount is not known at the point of handover, this should be recorded on the receipt as an estimate or noted as ‘not yet counted’.
• Acknowledgements are issued by the Irish Cancer Society, where requested and where practical, to third party donors e.g. a coffee morning participant, fundraising event sponsor etc. This serves to ensure that the donor receives official confirmation that their donation arrived and will be used for the purpose the donor intended.
• Records are made of all donations including taking note of those made for specific purposes to ensure donors’ wishes are met.

Raffles

• For charitable lotteries, the prize limit is €1,000. Read more from the Lotteries and Gaming Act
• There is an exemption under the 2019 Act for lotteries conducted for the benefit of a charitable or philanthropic purpose. A permit or licence will not be required when:
  • the total value of the prizes is €1,000 or less;
  • no more than 1,500 tickets at a maximum price of €5 is sold;
  • the promoter does not receive a personal profit and has not conducted such a charitable lottery during the previous 3 months
• If the above conditions are not met a permit may be required, please contact us if you would like any help.

Irish Cancer Society compliance with fundraising guidelines

• See here for our compliance with fundraising guidelines.