Dosh To Cosh Capitalism

One of the strengths of the direct action movement has been our ability to steal, blag, borrow and skip a lot of our gear, without having to use (much) money. However there are some things that we do need money for, and money can really strengthen a group's potential for effective, radical action and its ability to mobilise locally. Not many EF!ers or EF! groups have much experience of acquiring cash for action (fundraising), and a lack of cash and resources has disempowered a lot of groups and caused them to stagnate. This sheet aims to share experience from groups that have tried fundraising, and to give some tips on what has worked. Fundraising is a lot easier than you think, and we hope this insert opens up new possibilities for you and your group.

Stronger autonomous EF! groups with resources (vans, CB radios, marquees) and cash behind them will mean a more effective direct action movement. If each group could then pass a proportion of what they raise to the things that make up the EF! network, then EF! would become a real fighting force. The network is the "glue" linking the autonomous groups - the Action Update, national actions, gatherings, Do or Die. Imagine if every group went out and raised £300 each, kept £200 for their own local actions but passed £100 onto the gathering organising collectives, or to the Action Update.... We'd no longer be pissing around quite so much, but could be a serious force.

More examples of what could be done: £20 could print up some leaflets, buy a d-lock for blockades, collectively rent a couple of allotments, or hire a hall for a public meeting. £50 will print and post out a local newsletter. £100 could hire a coach to take you to a national action. £200 will get you some good CB radios. More can go towards saving for a van or a marquee.

So, here's a few suggestions:

Stalls at gigs - Find out when bands that are sympathetic to EF! / direct action (Levellers, Chumbawumba, Rage Against the Machine) are playing in your area. Contact them early on and find out if they'd mind you doing some fund raising there. You could just do some bucket rattling or set up a stall as well. Make sure it's obvious who you are, and have lots of propaganda to hand out - Action Update and your own local newsletters or leaflets. It's a great way to get to see lots of bands and to raise cash at the same time. An EF! group that did this at a Levellers gig raised £70 in just a couple of hours by bucket rattling before and after the gig. You could also ask at your local club if they do a regular club night. Ask the bands or DJs to point out you and your stall.

Pub collections - These are another way to raise cash, fast, especially if you can do it in appropriate fancy dress (the Hunt Sabs do it in fox costumes - perhaps we should get caveman costumes?). Always ask permission first from the licensee and pick your pubs carefully.This has proved successful in the past and can be quite a laugh (honest). One EF! group raised £50 in 2 hours. Pissed people often chuck in notes!

Stalls in town - have loads of propaganda printed up, an eye-catching banner and lots of enthusiastic people to staff the stall. Prominent collection buckets often start to fill up. Maybe this is illegal, but the worst that's likely to happen is being asked to move on.

Door to door collections - Apparently this has been done and has yielded good results. Make sure that it is clear who you are and what group you are from - so people don't think that you're crooks. Remember that this is technically illegal, if anyone gives you hassle - to be above board you need to be a registered charity and have official name badges.

Benefit gigs and other fundraising events - These have to be well planned and publicised or you may end up losing money. If having a gig, only pay expenses for local bands and set an entrance charge that will make you money but people can afford too (have a concessionary rate for those on a low income). Other events could be a folk evening, nature talks, bingo night, jumble sale (recycling!), a ceilidh or something else that fits in with your local culture and community (charity polo match, anyone?).

All of the above suggestions involve your group going out into your local community. Fundraising this way will not only raise you money, but it also puts you in touch with your support base. It's good to see people's reaction to you and your politics. It'll also really help with raising your profile locally (without relying on crap local papers).

Of course fundraising should not substitute for group action (you don't want to end up like a local Greenpeace group) but should be seen as necessary to make our action and mobilisation more effective. Whenever you go out to raise money, always carry leaflets with contact details of your local group and campaigns on it, and other propaganda. See every fundraising opportunity as an opportunity to network and organise.