Raising money for an AED: how to make your neighbourhood, school or club safer for the heart
With grants, sponsorship, crowdfunding and other options. What does an AED cost, which schemes are there, and how do you raise the money together?
An AED can save a life when someone has a cardiac arrest. Yet there is not always an AED within reach, or the device is only accessible while a building is open. Perhaps you want to buy an AED for your street together with your neighbours. Or there is no AED at the sports club, at school or in the village hall.
But how do you go about it? What does an AED cost? Can you get a grant, is there a scheme through the Dutch Heart Foundation (Hartstichting), and how can you raise the money together?
There are more options than you might think. You can buy an AED, sometimes get one at a discount, rent it or lease it. Local sponsors and funds can help too. And if there is still an amount left over after that, a crowdfunding campaign on Steunactie lets neighbours, members and others involved contribute. The schemes in this article relate to the Netherlands and Belgium.
Why is an AED nearby important?
In a cardiac arrest, every minute counts. An AED (Automated External Defibrillator) analyses the heart rhythm and, if needed, can deliver an electric shock. The device gives spoken instructions to the person providing help.
Always call 112 first
An AED does not replace resuscitation. If you suspect a cardiac arrest, it is important to call 112 immediately and follow the instructions of the emergency dispatcher. Fast resuscitation and the use of an AED can increase the chance of survival.
Accessibility is especially important. An AED in a sports club canteen can be very valuable during opening hours, but may not be available when the building is closed. That is why a well-accessible outdoor location is often worth looking into.
First check whether an AED is already available
Before you start raising money for a new AED, it is wise to find out which AEDs are already in the area and when they can be reached.
In the Netherlands you can consult the AED coverage map of the Hartstichting (in Dutch). It shows areas where, according to HartslagNu data, AEDs available day and night are still needed. The exact locations of all AEDs are not in a public national list.
Also ask around at the sports club, community centre, school or local businesses. Perhaps there is already an AED that could be made more accessible with an outdoor cabinet. That can be cheaper than buying a completely new device.
What can you start an AED fundraiser for?
A fundraiser for an AED suits all kinds of local initiatives.
For the neighbourhood or street
Neighbours place an AED together in a central spot, for example on the wall of a community centre. In an outdoor cabinet it is also available outside opening hours.
For a sports club
Where athletes, coaches, volunteers and visitors come together, members and local businesses can help buy or replace an AED.
For a school or village hall
Parents, volunteers and visitors raise money together. When choosing the location, consider access outside school or opening hours.
Maintenance, replacement or a cabinet
The AED is already there, but an outdoor cabinet is missing, or there are costs for replacement, maintenance or parts. You can look for support for that too.
What does an AED cost?
According to the Hartstichting, an AED usually costs between €800 and €2,200, depending on the model and options. On top of that, there may be costs for an outdoor cabinet, installation and maintenance. A fictional sample budget for a neighbourhood AED looks like this:
| Item | Sample amount |
|---|---|
| AED | €1,400 |
| Outdoor cabinet | €550 |
| Installation and connection | €250 |
| Maintenance reserve | €300 |
| Total | €2,500 |
These are not fixed market prices. Request quotes in advance and check what is included in an AED package or maintenance contract. With crowdfunding, also take the donation platform's fees into account, so that the net amount needed is raised.
How can you get an AED without paying for everything yourself?
You do not always have to pay the full purchase price yourself. Depending on the location, the organisation and the schemes available, there are several options.
1An AED through BuurtAED of the Hartstichting
For residential areas in the Netherlands, BuurtAED (in Dutch) is an option worth exploring. This initiative of the Hartstichting works with a special discounted AED package, an outdoor cabinet and five years of service and maintenance.
Neighbours normally get 30 days to raise the target amount together through BuurtAED. If the amount needed is not reached, the donations are refunded under the programme. Installation and connection may involve extra costs.
Watch out
The discount and package terms belong to the BuurtAED programme itself. You do not automatically get this discount when you raise money through another crowdfunding platform. Check the current terms directly with BuurtAED.
2Municipal grants and local funds
Some municipalities have grants for neighbourhood initiatives, safety or facilities for clubs. Local funds, banks or service clubs such as Rotary and Lions sometimes support AED projects too.
Ask your municipality about the options available. Also check with your sports association, the local volunteer centre or a fund for community initiatives. There is no single grant that applies everywhere and to everyone.
Do you live in Belgium? Then ask your municipality or city about local schemes. The Dutch BuurtAED programme does not automatically apply in Belgium.
3Sponsorship by local businesses
A supermarket, bakery, estate agent, gym or other local business may think it is important that an AED becomes available.
Ask businesses whether they want to support the project. That can be a full contribution, but also a smaller sponsorship amount or help in kind. Perhaps an installer would like to take care of the installation, or a business owner can offer a suitable wall.
Explain clearly what the AED means for the neighbourhood or club, and how you will thank sponsors afterwards.
4Renting, leasing or subscribing to an AED
Buying an AED is not the only option. Some providers offer rental, lease or a subscription, which may include maintenance and service.
That can be particularly interesting for clubs or organisations that prefer not to spend a large amount at once. Do compare the term, monthly costs, replacement conditions and total costs. A low monthly price does not automatically make it cheaper in the long run.
5Making an existing AED more accessible
Sometimes there is already an AED in a school, sports canteen or business premises, but it cannot be reached outside opening hours. Then discuss whether the device can be moved to a suitable outdoor cabinet.
In that case you may not have to pay for a completely new device. You will need agreements on ownership, accessibility, maintenance, power supply and registration.
6Crowdfunding through Steunactie
Are grants, sponsorship or other options unavailable or insufficient? Then crowdfunding for an AED through Steunactie can be a good addition.
With your own fundraiser page, you can explain where the AED should go, what it costs and how much money is still needed. Neighbours, club members, family, friends and local businesses can then contribute online.
A crowdfunding campaign also works for part of the amount. If a sponsor is already paying for the outdoor cabinet and the municipality contributes to the purchase, you can raise money for the remaining costs through Steunactie.
See current AED fundraisers
AED voor Tafeltennisclub Hamme
Met meer dan 800 tafeltennissers per seizoen wil TTC Hamme een veilige omgeving aanbieden door de aanschaf van een AED.
Combine different ways of funding
You do not have to choose between sponsorship, grants and crowdfunding. The combination can be especially effective.
Suppose you need €2,500 for an AED project. A local business contributes €500 and a neighbourhood fund gives €500. That leaves €1,500 to fund:
You can raise that remaining amount with a fundraiser on Steunactie. If a hundred people give an average of €15, that brings in €1,500 in gross donations. When setting your target, do take platform and transaction fees into account.
This makes the fundraiser clearer. You are not simply asking for money for an AED, but showing which parties are already helping and which concrete amount is still missing.
How to start a successful fundraiser for an AED
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Make a plan for the location and management
Find out where the AED is needed, whether a suitable spot is available and who will manage the device after installation. If necessary, ask the building owner for permission.
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Calculate the amount needed
Request quotes for the device, outdoor cabinet, installation and maintenance. Then see which grants or sponsorship are possible, and decide how much you want to raise through crowdfunding.
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Tell a clear and personal story
Create a fundraiser page on Steunactie with a recognisable title, such as 'An AED for our neighbourhood!'. Explain where the AED will go, why that location matters and what the proceeds will be used for. A photo of the location or the organisers helps people feel involved.
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Involve the whole neighbourhood or club
Share the fundraiser via WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, a residents' association or a sports club newsletter. Ask local businesses and clubs to spread the link too. You could also organise a jumble sale, sponsored run or neighbourhood gathering, and use a QR code on a flyer to point people to the online fundraiser.
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Keep donors updated
Share regular progress updates. Let people know when a sponsor contributes, a milestone is reached or the AED is ordered. And after installation, post a photo with a thank-you, so donors can see what their contribution made possible.
Sample text for an AED fundraiser
You can use this text as a starting point for your own fundraiser:
Together we make our neighbourhood safer for the heart!
In a cardiac arrest, every minute counts. That is why we want to make sure our neighbourhood gets an AED that can be reached day and night.
We have looked into which AEDs are available in the area and want to place a device with an outdoor cabinet in a central location.
For the purchase, installation and initial maintenance, we want to raise €2,500 in total. We are trying to raise part of it through local sponsors. For the remaining amount, we are asking for the help of neighbours and others involved.
Every contribution, big or small, helps. Cannot spare anything yourself? Sharing this fundraiser also helps enormously.
Together we make our neighbourhood safer for the heart. Thank you for your support!
Adapt this sample text to your own situation. Above all, check that the location, the availability of other AEDs and the target amount are actually correct.
Do not forget placement, registration and maintenance
Raising the money is only the beginning. Make sure the AED remains ready for use after purchase.
- A good location. Preferably choose a visible location that is easy to reach. An outdoor AED needs a suitable weatherproof cabinet, usually with power for heating and lighting, among other things.
- A manager. Agree who checks the AED, keeps the details up to date and makes the device ready for use again after it has been used. Batteries and electrodes have a limited shelf life.
- Registration in the Netherlands. Register the AED with HartslagNu (in Dutch), the national resuscitation alert system that can call on citizen responders when 112 is called.
- Registration in Belgium. Belgian registration rules apply to publicly accessible AEDs. See the Federal Public Service Health (FOD Volksgezondheid).
- Learn resuscitation. Consider having neighbours or club members take a resuscitation course. In Flanders, organisations can also find information about the Hartveilig project of Rode Kruis-Vlaanderen (in Dutch). That project focuses on AED availability and training; it is not automatically a grant for a free AED.
Frequently asked questions about raising money for an AED
Can you get a grant for an AED?
Sometimes. It depends on the municipality, fund and type of organisation. Ask your municipality and local funds whether there are schemes for an AED, neighbourhood safety or sports facilities.
Can you get an AED for free?
There is no general scheme that gives everyone a free AED. Grants, sponsors or a joint fundraiser can, however, cover all or part of the costs. In the Netherlands, BuurtAED offers a specific discounted package.
What is the difference between BuurtAED and Steunactie?
BuurtAED is a Dutch programme for a specific discounted AED package with its own terms. Steunactie is a crowdfunding platform where you raise money yourself for an AED of your choice, an outdoor cabinet, replacement or a remaining funding amount. The BuurtAED discount does not automatically apply on Steunactie.
How much money do you need to raise for an AED?
That depends on the device, the outdoor cabinet, installation and maintenance. According to the Hartstichting, an AED itself usually costs €800 to €2,200. Request quotes and then set a realistic target, taking any fundraising fees into account.
Is an outdoor AED better than an indoor one?
For a public AED, accessibility is decisive. An outdoor cabinet makes it possible to keep the device available outside opening hours, provided the location, cabinet, electricity and management are properly arranged.
How long does it take to raise money for an AED?
That depends on the target amount and how many people take part. A standard BuurtAED campaign runs for thirty days. A crowdfunding campaign on Steunactie can be tailored to your own plan and communication.
Want to raise money for an AED?
See how to start a fundraiser for an AED and make your area safer for the heart together.
Start an AED fundraiserTogether for a heart-safe environment
An AED in the neighbourhood or at the club is an investment in the safety of everyone who comes there. Fortunately, there are several ways to make that investment possible.
Perhaps the municipality offers support, a local business wants to sponsor, or an existing AED can be made more accessible. For a residential area in the Netherlands, BuurtAED is also worth looking into.
And is there an amount left that you want to raise together? Then crowdfunding through Steunactie can help you involve neighbours, members, family, friends and businesses.
Steunactie Editorial
We write about giving, crowdfunding and how donation platforms work, so that you can make an informed choice about how and to whom you give.
