Fundraising for one person
Raising money for yourself or someone in your family, for a trip, sport or medical costs, is allowed, but the tools are different from a club’s.
Personal crowdfunding, family and business sponsorship and selling things all work. A raffle for personal benefit isn’t permitted, and donations to a person don’t earn a tax credit.
Best return for your time
- Givealittle page$385/hrtypically $2,500 per campaignNZ's largest donation platform: free to set up, 5% fee, tax receipts issued automatically for donee organisations.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Applying through an umbrella organisation (club, school or national body)$300/hrtypically $3,000 per grantAn individual's trip is funded through a legal entity (club, school, national sports body) that can apply for grants or receive donations.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Club contribution to an individual member's trip$250/hrtypically $500 per sponsorThe club (or school) uses its own funds to support a member selected for rep or international events.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Direct donation appeal (letter, email, newsletter, social post)$200/hrtypically $2,000 per campaignAsk your own people directly for a gift towards a specific, costed need.An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Personal endurance challenge$200/hrtypically $5,000 per campaignAn individual or small team takes on something hard (ultra run, 24-hour challenge, long swim) with an online sponsorship page.Weeks of part-time work, Check with council, 1–2 people
- Family and friends sponsorship (personal sponsorship letter)$150/hrtypically $1,500 per campaignThe athlete or performer writes to relatives, family friends and local contacts asking them to sponsor the trip.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Pick-a-date calendar$142/hrtypically $496 per campaignDonors choose a date in a month and give that day's number in dollars (1st = $1, 31st = $31).An afternoon’s work, No permit, 1–2 people
- Grants and scholarships open to individuals$77/hrtypically $500 per grantA small number of funders do accept individuals: some RST scholarships, iwi sports grants, local trusts, service clubs.A few evenings’ work, No permit, 1–2 people
Something different
Less common ideas that stand out because people haven’t seen them ten times already.
- Boosted (arts crowdfunding) · typically $8,000 · well known in arts circles only
- Personal endurance challenge · typically $5,000 · rare and personal, which makes it newsworthy
- Other crowdfunding platforms (overseas or rewards-based) · typically $1,500 · most Kiwis default to Givealittle instead
- Fill My Jersey (pick-a-number jersey) · typically $820 · a clever novelty most people haven't seen
- Grants and scholarships open to individuals · typically $500 · few funders take individuals, so few people try
- Pick-a-date calendar · typically $496 · a simple novelty most supporters haven't seen
* General fundraising information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Money figures are examples and estimates, not promises. Check current official requirements before you commit. About this guide