There has been quite a discussion in the sector recently about poor feedback from funders about failed bids, with some fundraisers demanding in rather highhanded tones that funders should always detail their reasons for rejection. This raises some interesting issues.
The Big Society idea sounds attractive for the voluntary sector, offering a bigger role in addressing social issues and maybe access to new funding. How then do we square this vision with the reality of funding cuts to the very organisations the government is seeking to work with and what can charities do about this threat?
In carrying out fundraising reviews over the years, we have come across numerous charities which have really not grasped the legacy opportunity. Yes, they may know that legacies can be good money, with a fantastic ROI, but somehow they never quite get round to planning and running a proper campaign. What is it with these people?
In recent weeks, there have been stories of cuts and redundancies in a number of charities, including fundraising teams. With so many charities restructuring and slimming down their operations, I wonder how they will maintain their incomes with a smaller staff contingent?
In recent years, asking donors to pledge a legacy to a charity has been going out of fashion and for good reasons. How is it then that some charities are still basing their campaigns on pledge seeking and being very successful?
The recent study into donor motivations and behaviour featured earlier this month in the Chronicle of Philanthropy made for interesting – and potentially useful – reading.
With all the recent talk about trusts winding up and distributing their capital, it is heartening to know that there is a body of charitable institutions quietly prospering.
So a DM agency has identified that adding a legacy info tick box to direct mail appeals reduces the cash response rate (3rd Sector magazine 16th March). Big deal!
Of course anything you do to water down an appeal will reduce the response rate. The best results are always achieved by making a clear and direct ask for one thing at a time, not by presenting the donor with a range of options. But then we knew that didn’t we?
With volunteer centres reporting an increase in enquiries, an obvious question to ask is whether your charity is making best use of this free resource.
Most charities use volunteers in some capacity, but not all recognise how they can support fundraising. So what are the benefits of volunteer fundraisers and how can they best be used?
