Charity events are back! Last year, over eight in ten people reported taking part in at least one charitable activity, according to the Charities Aid Foundation UK Giving Report 2023. Compared to the previous year, more people donated to charities in 2022 by buying goods or a raffle or lottery ticket. At the same time, high inflation and increasing costs have left many supporters—and charities—spending less and cutting back where they can. Despite this, 2022 was the most generous year ever for giving, with an estimated £12.7 billion in donations, according to the CAF report.
Charities are taking stock of the situation, and many organisations are hosting events to boost fundraising incomes in the year ahead, be they in-person, virtual, or hybrid gatherings. Great merchandise can go a long way at your event to show appreciation for your supporters and build your brand awareness. And here’s the best part of all: charitable event merchandise doesn’t have to be expensive!
Here, we look at the top event merchandise and share some of the most popular, effective, and affordable options for your charity.
Fun and Fashionable Silicon Wristbands
Earlier this year, we heard that the first charity shop department store opened in the UK. Charity.Super.Mkt is a pop-up retail space that features second-hand clothing and other sustainable products from 10 charities, where customers can “shop with purpose”.
Tap into this trend with your own line of fashion-forward, feel-good products, like customised silicon wristbands. It’s easy to represent your brand on these bracelets. At Rocket Charities, we can match any pantone colours you wish along with printed or embossed designs. We even offer glow in the dark wristbands! Silicon wristbands remain one of the most popular and effective fundraising products. They’re highly visual and versatile—and they’re budget-friendly. Consider adding a new line of silicon wristbands for your next fundraising event kit or sell them in your online merchandise shop.
Thank your Supporters and the Planet with Charity Medals
Are you planning a fundraising challenge this summer, like a run or walk? Consider a bespoke charity medal that you can gift to all participants or award to top finishers. Charity medals are a memorable way to show your appreciation to your supporters.
Like silicon wristbands, charity medals are highly visual, popular, and incredibly cost-effective. In addition to traditional metal medals, we also offer a line of eco-friendly options, including a special wooden medal, which can be either laser engraved or printed with your charity’s special branding. For added emphasis, you might even consider a recycled PET ribbon to accent your wooden medal.
Bags for Life: Try an Organic Cotton Tote
Another popular, practical, and cost-effective product is a custom cotton tote bag. Last month was Plastic Free July, a global movement to refuse single-use plastics and usher in cleaner communities and waterways. Keep the movement going all year long with an eco-friendly tote bag for your supporters.
Our durable organic cotton shopper offers a large surface area to help spread awareness of your mission, while enabling people to ditch the harmful single-use plastic bags. For inspiration, just look to the Donkey Sanctuary. The charity offers a whimsical shopping bag featuring the Donkey Sanctuary logo and the words “Lightening Loads”. Get creative and design a walking, talking billboard for your own fundraising event or charity shop.
And that’s not all! We have many other popular, practical, and affordable products for you to choose from for all your upcoming fundraising activities. Please get in touch with us to share your campaign. We can suggest a wide range of options that fit your budget and your brand. As always, we offer free consultation and design, and we can provide a quote in advance to help you plan. We look forward to hearing from you!