Is your agency really listening?
This week I visited an old client of ours that has just had a poor experience of using consultants. Two years ago, they hired a firm to develop an organisational strategy, create a new case for support and advise on approaching grant makers. The agency has now almost completed the strategy, has drafted a case […]
How can charity Trustees enable fundraising effectiveness?
A common complaint I hear from fundraisers is the lack of support from their Boards for fundraising, often combined with an assertion that Trustees do not understand what fundraising involves and do not even donate to their own charities. British Fundraisers will point to the US, where Trustees are expected to give (often generously) as […]
How to Thrive as a Sole Fundraiser
This week I visited a national charity we work for that only employs one fundraiser. She has her work cut out, juggling a wide range of activities and making her time and budget stretch very thinly. She has my sympathy and it got me thinking again about the challenges and success strategies for fundraisers in […]
Do the DEC and CIN appeals show public confidence in giving is returning?
The timing of the typhoon that hit the Philippines this month and the subsequent DEC appeal looked like they would make a big dent in the public’s support for this year’s BBC’s Children in Need appeal. However, CIN this year raised over £31 million (apparently a new record), while the DEC appeal has so far […]
Richer Lives – Why Rich People Give
This new book by Beth Breeze and Theresa Lloyd, published by the DSC, examines what it is that drives the wealthy to make large donations to good causes. What are their motivations and what expectations do they have of the causes they support? This new book is a major contribution to our understanding of how […]
Farewell Catherine
After 22 years of leadership, Catherine Arkley, CEO of Children’s Liver Disease Foundation is leaving her role for pastures new. Involved since the start of the charity, Catherine has built it up from nothing to a £1 million+ organisation that has brought about real change for child liver patients and their families. To mark her […]
More clients renew their contracts
Recent weeks have seen a raft of clients renewing their contracts with us for 2013. The following have asked us for more work, as a result of recent support: Simon George commented: “It’s always very positive when a client renews their contract with us, as it’s a real sign of their confidence in our team. […]
Funding Feasibility Studies – Don’t raise big funds without one!
I recently came across a charity that has been running a £3 million appeal for new facilities that has now got stuck. It seems things started well, but the appeal has gradually faltered, with only £1 million raised to date and with long delays to the timetable. It is an embarrassing situation for the charity […]
The Power of Capital Appeals
It is amazing how a capital appeal can galvanise donors into action compared with ongoing revenue appeals. I recently came across a church that is struggling to cover its monthly revenue needs of around £33,000. Despite regular updates and appeals to its members, monthly donations have remained flat for some time, as wages fail to […]
Fire in the Belly
One thing no book or training course can teach fundraisers is passion for the cause. It’s the essential ingredient for success and without it no fundraising operation will prosper for long. I recently interviewed an academic about an ambitious appeal he plans to launch. He has already had some good successes in attracting funding (and […]