RAG Week Goes Digital: Leveraging Givergy Technology for Fundraising Success

Posted by Ben Crook on 14 November 2023

Universities are known for offering students a platform to develop their passions and skills with the end goal of achieving a brilliant career. However, they also provide a platform for individuals who are passionate about helping others to join groups and societies for the greater good. From local causes to international charities that students support, universities create dynamic communities that allow individuals to come together powerfully. 

Whether you are from a university looking to elevate RAG Week or are a small charity looking for ways to improve support within your local area, this is the article for you. Keep reading to find out what RAG Week is, the opportunities it can offer and to learn how digital fundraising technology can maximise the impact that campaigns make. After all, 90% of 18-24-year-olds donated to charity last year, making them the biggest donor age range in the UK.

What Is RAG Week?

This British tradition, short for “Raise and Give,” is when campuses come alive with a vibrant spirit of giving, creativity, and fun. It is a period in which various events are organised at a university to raise money for charitable causes. University fundraising is not a new concept. Still, RAG Week gives it a platform for exposure, and with another year of successfully raising money, RAG Week is still going strong. 

The week consists of various student organisations hosting fun events across the university to raise money. Often, they compete to see who can raise the most funds, which we think is a brilliant idea as friendly competition is a fantastic method for helping donations thrive. RAG Week is all about making a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.

Each organisation will run their RAG weeks at a different time. They are often carefully scheduled in the calendar so as not to interfere with other events in the local area. This allows for local institutions to also work together, which encourages strong collaborations and resource sharing throughout the entire calendar year.

What Are the Benefits of RAG Week?

When managed the right way, university fundraising strategies can develop a solid foundation through an effective and impactful RAG Week. Some of the main benefits include the following:

Help Students to Thrive

Students that participate in RAG Week often develop a wide range of skills, including event planning, fundraising, marketing, leadership, and teamwork. These skills can be valuable for personal and professional growth as transferable skills are just as important as educational ones when attending university.

Improve Brand Image

For universities and colleges, RAG Week can be an excellent opportunity to showcase their commitment to social responsibility and community involvement. This positive image can attract prospective students and donors in a way that sets them up for long-term success. Furthermore, by using a digital fundraising solution like the Givergy platform, you can further enhance the chance of leaving a lasting impression on stakeholders. 

Shape The Next Generation Of Fundraisers

For some students, RAG Week serves as a stepping stone into a lifelong commitment to charitable work and social activism. It can be a formative experience that influences future career choices and personal values. As passionate fundraisers ourselves, this is a benefit that we are certainly behind.

Raise Money & Awareness

In addition to fundraising, RAG Week also raises awareness about various social issues, charities, and causes. It can educate the public about issues they might not have been aware of and inspire action. Charitable awareness is essential for the long-running success of amazing causes because a lot of money doesn’t need to be spent on marketing efforts. Instead, resources can be spread out more evenly and success rates can increase.

RAG Week 2024 Digital Fundraising Ideas Using Givergy

To take your RAG week campaigns to the next level, we have included our top university fundraising ideas below that are made possible with the Givergy platform. Thanks to our flexible pricing option, students can use our tools without having to pay anything upfront, which suits the RAG fundraising model perfectly!

1. Run a silent auction alongside in-person events.

RAG week may be all about in-person fun and vibrant events, but adding a silent auction propels fundraising potential to new heights! Simply create one of our intuitive fundraising sites and share via QR code, text, email, or social media to ensure everyone on your campus can start bidding on items. This method also means you can share the link with people outside your university, such as family and friends. 

Auction items can be gathered from local businesses, allowing other companies to do their part, which always goes down a storm. You can also theme the items or keep them varied depending on the cause you are raising money. The possibilities are endless!

2. Run a virtual gala for the entire campus.

Virtual galas are gaining popularity, and their benefits are useful when you consider modern technology and the evolving landscape of event planning. When used by universities with multiple campuses, they can all unite for one event that may otherwise be a logistical headache. 

It also decreases costs as students and universities don’t always have the budget to throw extravagant in-person events.

3. Create a digital platform to receive donations.

Another way Givergy can help you raise more during RAG week is by facilitating online pledges. This means that donations can be gathered quickly and easily without stressing about bank details and card readers. All you simply need to do is share the link for donating and anyone can donate easily.

As well as being simple to use, digital solutions allow you to be creative and use different call-to-actions, building a strong foundation that lasts far beyond RAG week.

4. Capitalise on university competition with sealed bidding.

Last but not least is another fabulous fundraising tool known for enhancing fun and competitiveness with students and other stakeholders. Sealed bidding means you can promote donated auction items and get a higher winning bid because the bid amount isn’t shown. Because of this, people are more likely to bid higher and your charitable cause gains necessary funds!

Does Your Next RAG Week Deserve a Glow Up?

While traditional methods of fundraising have its benefits, taking this to the next level with a digital solution like Givergy will increase not just donations but also university perception. To learn how you can make a significant impact during RAG Week without spending on expensive campaigns, contact our team.

Ben Crook

Chief Operating Officer

Ben is at the forefront of every project in Givergy, listing and actioning constant improvements across the business. With over a decade of experience in the charity and events sector he brings a deep understanding of what the fundraising industry needs to operate effectively and efficiently.