Support Ghent University research or education with a fundraiser?

What would you like to raise money for?

There are 1001 possibilities to support research and education at Ghent University. To get you started, consult the overview of funds you can donate to. However, there is not a fund for every theme. Would you rather support other research or education? Contact us to discuss this. We will be happy to help you on your way.

What can you do to raise money?

Here, too, you have several possibilities. For example, if you have something to celebrate, you can ask your network to make a donation. You can choose to sell something and donate the proceeds. Or organise an event from which you donate the proceeds afterwards. Your next sporting challenge could also be a reason to collect donations within your network. When a loved one passes away, instead of flowers or wreaths, you can ask for a donation (see below).

How can you raise funds?

Would you like to raise donations to support one of our funds? Then we advise you to use our online action platform. You can then easily share your action with your network, ask to donate online and download an overview of donations and donors to your action.

You can also ask your network to make a donation to bank account number BE26 3900 9658 0329 referring to your fundraising initiative in the bank communication. For example: "event X" or "I.M_name deceased" or "anniversary X & Y".

If you do not use our action platform and only want to collect donations via bank transfer, it is best to notify us in advance. That way we can coordinate the destination of your collection.

Do you choose to organise an event or a sale? Then it is important to know that, as an organiser, you cannot receive a tax certificate for the total proceeds of your event or sale.

How to raise money following a decease?

On the obituary or with an online obituary you can ask to support a Ghent University cause. This can be done with a message such as "Instead of flowers or wreaths, please make a noncommittal donation for scientific research into ...". You then mention the account number of the University Fund (BE26 3900 9658 0329) and the message "IM_first_name deceased". A simple e-mail to universiteitsfonds@ugent.be suffices to notify us and let us know for which UGent research or education the donations are intended. If you wish, you can ask us for an overview of the donations and donors.

Do you choose to support a Ghent University fund? You can do so in the way described above. We also recommend our digital action platform, because it is easier for your network to make an (online) donation and you will raise more. Moreover, you can then request a QR-code (or create one yourself via free online tools) and add it to the obituary so that people can donate online quickly and easily.

What about tax certificates?

For donations to Ghent University of 40 euro or more (on an annual basis), we provide the donor with a tax certificate by 1 March of the following year if we have the donor's national register number. If you donate the total proceeds of an event or sales campaign, you are not entitled to a tax certificate. Even if you first collect donations yourself and transfer the total to Ghent University, we are not allowed to issue a tax certificate (neither to you, nor to the donors of your collection). If you want donors to your fundraiser to receive a tax certificate, have them transfer their donation directly to us.

What tips do you have for me?

1. Based on our experience with numerous collections, we dare to say that it is best to choose to collect donations rather than to organise a physical event or sales promotion. Donations often yield as much or more than a physical event (e.g. a concert). An event or sales promotion also quickly involves a lot of logistics and organisation. This often entails costs, leaving you with a net loss. Moreover, donations to UGent are tax-deductible, while the sale of tickets or products, for example, is not.
2. Communicate about your initiative as much and as often as possible through various channels. Mail, call, talk, WhatsApp and spread your message this way. The more often your network hears about your initiative, the more you will raise. Do not send general e-mails, but communicate as personally as possible. Extra tip: ask the people closest to you first. Personal contact works best.
3. Be sure to let your network know that donations to your collection are tax-deductible (from EUR 40 a year). Dare to work with a concrete example amount for this: a donation of 100 euros actually "costs" only 55 euros after tax deduction.
4. Have you planned an event to which you invite people? Then point out your initiative in the invitation. If you use our online action platform to collect donations for a fund, you can also work with a QR-code on the invitation. Online you will find many free tools for this, but you can also contact us to create such a QR-code.
5. Involve others in the organisation of and communication about your fundraiser. For example, ask them to share your initiative in their network or help you organise your event.
6. Find someone (person or company) willing to support your collection with a larger donation. For instance, you can let your network know that a big donation will be made if you reach a certain target amount or that the amount you raise will be doubled by a donor, e.g. your employer. This way, you encourage others to make a (larger) donation and you collect more.
7. Use our online action platform if you want to collect donations for a Ghent University fund. This makes it easier for you and your donors. Moreover, you will collect more than when people can only support your initiative by bank transfer.
8. Don't forget to thank your donors! You can contact us for an overview of the donations and supporters of your collection. If you use our online action platform, you can download this overview yourself.
9. Do not hesitate to contact us with questions or doubts about your idea/initiative! We have already seen many fundraising events and are happy to share our insights.