Arranging a meeting with your hero
Launched in 2011 Pro Dono is an organisation that aims to give donors the opportunity to meet and have, for example, a lunch or dinner meeting with a well-known public figure for a special occasion.
As a member of the public all you have to do is choose your hero from Pro Dono's growing list of celebrity and public figure ambassadors.
If your favourite person is not listed Pro Dono encourage you to get in touch with your suggestion and they will do their best to arrange something for you.
They have famous figures from television and media, academia, arts, business, food and drink,politics and sport.
What happens then?
Your hero will agree to donate their time to your meeting in respect of your charity donation.
Your donation will be restricted to the charity that your ambassador as chosen to support.
What are the aims of Pro Dono?
It's main aim is to accelerate giving to charity through the concept of the donor getting something back which serves to increase their incentive to donate a larger amount of money to a deserving cause.
We think time spent with a hero for a meal out and chat is pretty priceless, but to know that your money is going to a great cause makes the whole thing so much sweeter - especially if you add Gift Aid.
Will all my money go to my ambassador's charity?
Like any non-profit organisation or charity Pro Dono have to keep a portion of donations aside to cover running costs.
Typically charities will use 10-15 pence in every pound to cover staffing and other business costs like premises, advertising, websites etc.
Pro Dono only require 7p in every pound to cover their overheads which means 93% of your donation will go to the charity direct.
If you are able to use Gift Aid for your donation this actually means the charity will receive 116% of your donation which means they get even more.
As long as you are a UK tax payer you should be able to claim Gift Aid.
What sort of activities can you do with your hero?
You want to meet public figure like Raymond Blanc - the incredible Michelin-Starred chef and charismatic restaurateur.
To get the conversation started you go to the Pro Dono website and complete a simple form naming your hero and proposing your donation amount.
The lovely people at Pro Dono will get in touch with Raymond for you and let him know that you have expressed an interest.
If Raymond is happy with the donation to his chosen charity and the meeting idea he will confirm to the Pro Dono team and they'll be back in touch to make the next arrangements with you.
The next step is where you get to hang out with your hero!
In this example you'd meet Raymond for the meal or cookery lesson or whatever is mutually arranged for the meeting via the team at Pro Dono and have a fantastic time.
Please note that you, as the donor, are supposed to pay for the meal or the costs to cover whatever it is you decide to do together with your hero. It does not come out of your donation.
