Funding feasibility studies – when do you need one?
Before launching a major appeal, it is common practice to reduce risk by firstly determining if a successful appeal is actually possible or not. The standard approach is to conduct a funding feasibility study to answer some key questions before a final decision is made to launch an appeal and certainly before any public fundraising […]
20 miles for 20 years
Here at Wootton George Consulting we are looking back on our first 20 years. In that time, we have worked with several hundred charities and good causes and, we hope, have made a difference to the lives of thousands. Over these 20 years we’ve been privileged to see countless charities grow in their work with […]
Fundraising Contracts – what to include?
Charities taking on freelance fundraisers or using fundraising consultants are required by law to have a written contract in place. This need not be lengthy but does need to cover some basics and now must also take into account the needs of vulnerable donors. So what should you include? As a basic minimum, the contract […]
How to Find the Right Consultant for Your Charity
Finding the right consultant, especially for the first time, can be a challenging task. There are, after all, many companies and individuals out there selling advice and consultancy services. Most specialise in specific types of work, or in types of charity or causal areas. So how to find the right one to meet your needs? […]
Celebrating 20 Years in Fundraising Consultancy
In 2018 we celebrate 20 years in fundraising consultancy, Wootton George Consulting having been founded in March 1998 by Gill Wootton and Simon George. Both experienced fundraisers, Gill and Simon had started their fundraising careers raising funds for a range of charities in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Having met via the Institute of Fundraising, they […]
Making the Most of Your Next Anniversary
Charities have long used anniversaries as an excuse for celebrations and publicity and why not? It can be a good excuse to make a splash and raise some money on the back of it. However, to make the most of it, you need to do more than just announce that you have existed for 10 […]
Disputed Legacies and Compliance
With all the fundraising regulatory changes this year and the increased focus on compliance, charities are rightly thinking about the legal use of data, including how long they should keep donor’s details on file, especially in relation to “lapsed” donors. The Information Commissioner suggests that you need a good reason to hold on to old […]
Latest Legacy Stats – are you getting your share?
The latest figures on UK legacy income from Legacy Foresight show an encouraging picture, with a total income in 2015 of £2.56 billion, representing 13% of all voluntary income to charities. Average residuary legacies (shares of estates) are running at £42,500, with average cash sums now at £3,000. Last year, the number of charities receiving […]
Gill Wootton MInstF, 1948-2016
We are sorry to announce the death of one of our founders and former directors, Gill Wootton. Gill, who died on November 10th 2016, was a life-long fundraiser, with a passion for good causes, who first made her mark initially in community fundraising and later in consulting, becoming a trustee of the IoF and later […]
Brexit – Dealing with the Fallout
So it’s goodbye to Brussels, but what are the implications for fundraising now? Impacts on charities will vary, depending on how they raise their money. However, if the Remain campaign’s predictions are accurate, they will be dramatic and far reaching. EU Funding What we know for certain is that EU funding (such as ESF, ERDF […]