Getting funds in
Its completely possible to set up a LARP group for next to nothing, but the likelihood is that you will have some up front costs
There are several ways to try and re-coup costs. Most clubs charge membership or some kind of fee to play. You could also try and raise extra money by selling LRP equipment. If you can negotiate a Club Organisers discount from a supplier, these can be sold on to others to raise cash for the group. You could try and ask for donations in return for advertising, from other businesses
How much you want to charge people is completely up to you. There is no set rate for LRP. Consider your costs and charge an appropriate amount. Don’t leave yourself out of pocket, but be reasonable about how much you want. If you overprice you will put people off. Remember also that a lot of LARPers are students and that they cannot afford £80 for a night’s LRPing
The important part is to make it quite clear where the money is going. If all of the money is going back into the club, then people are more inclined to pay, although many clubs do operate on a commercial basis. If you decide that you’d like to get some rewards for your efforts then ensure the players know that you are taking some (or all) of the money received for your own personal use. Do not let them assume that the money they are giving you is going back to the club when in fact you are keeping it. You will lose players and you will lose credibility. There may also be tax or legal implications on accepting money for running the group
If you are keeping the money for the group, and re-investing everything into the group, set up a Society bank account. You’ll need another person to act as your Treasurer in order to open the account and their signature will be required on any cheques. The accounts generally pay very poor interest rates, but they help keep the society funds and your own funds separate. Keep an account book with up to date entries about what has come in and gone out and what the current balance of the accounts should be
There are several ways to try and re-coup costs. Most clubs charge membership or some kind of fee to play. You could also try and raise extra money by selling LRP equipment. If you can negotiate a Club Organisers discount from a supplier, these can be sold on to others to raise cash for the group. You could try and ask for donations in return for advertising, from other businesses
How much you want to charge people is completely up to you. There is no set rate for LRP. Consider your costs and charge an appropriate amount. Don’t leave yourself out of pocket, but be reasonable about how much you want. If you overprice you will put people off. Remember also that a lot of LARPers are students and that they cannot afford £80 for a night’s LRPing
The important part is to make it quite clear where the money is going. If all of the money is going back into the club, then people are more inclined to pay, although many clubs do operate on a commercial basis. If you decide that you’d like to get some rewards for your efforts then ensure the players know that you are taking some (or all) of the money received for your own personal use. Do not let them assume that the money they are giving you is going back to the club when in fact you are keeping it. You will lose players and you will lose credibility. There may also be tax or legal implications on accepting money for running the group
If you are keeping the money for the group, and re-investing everything into the group, set up a Society bank account. You’ll need another person to act as your Treasurer in order to open the account and their signature will be required on any cheques. The accounts generally pay very poor interest rates, but they help keep the society funds and your own funds separate. Keep an account book with up to date entries about what has come in and gone out and what the current balance of the accounts should be
