I hate all this politics stuff, but a word of warning.....
A charity recently received a complaint, not with regard to anything involving our Club I hasten to add, from someone who had donated a substantial amount of money at an event.
They were told any money they donated was raised on behalf that of the Charity but after the event found that some of the money raised was used for a different purpose. What it was used for is irrelevant, however the organisation is accused of raising money under false pretences and if the matter is taken to court they will quite possibly be found guilty of deception and/or fraud as the organisation's posters, banners and verbal sales pitch were quite specific.
So beware, if you wish to raise money to buy some kit; timing lights or whatever, you must state quite clearly that that is what you intend to do with the money, adding after “with any profits donated to So-and-so-charity”. You must not use the charity name in the first instance to ‘open wallets’.
Raising money for So-and-so-charity and then using some of it to buy your timing lights or for any other purpose is fraudulently depriving that charity of the money generously given to it in their name. Having raised it in their name, it is their money NOT yours.
Likewise, if you state “all profits” or “profits” or “proceeds” it must be that, not less an amount for luck, or your time, or to keep the account open, or for any other notional reason. The costs can only relate to the ‘demonstrable’ costs incurred as a result of the fundraising exercise itself.