A look at the results of major UK charities to see if they can prove the case for investing in fundraising.
Fundraising myths
We need a new audience!
How many times have you heard something like this from a senior executive in a charity? “We have a real problem with our donors. They are really old. And they are really passive. They don’t understand the breadth of our work. All they do is give us money. We need to find a new audience!” … Continue reading We need a new audience!
What’s the secret of a successful fundraising strategy?
As a (part-time*) member of the Honourable Society of Fundraising Consultants, Soothsayers and Allied Trades, I do quite a lot of fundraising strategies. And before my fall into darkness when I was an honest fundraising director, strategy was something I spent a lot of time on. So not really having got the hang of this … Continue reading What’s the secret of a successful fundraising strategy?
Seven Secrets of Successful Fundraising*
As Civil Society Fundraising magazine has just republished my Seven Fundraising Myths piece I thought I would complement it with something on what makes good fundraising. There's actually nothing remotely mysterious about the practice of fundraising but if you'll accept the rhetorical flourish, here are my secrets for how to be successful in all types … Continue reading Seven Secrets of Successful Fundraising*
Aiming for mediocrity
I went to school in Crawley, a new town in Southern England created after the Second World War to rehouse people from the London slums. It wasn't a place which particularly encouraged ambition. I remember the careers tutor at my comprehensive, a man who didn't give the impression of loving his job, laying out the … Continue reading Aiming for mediocrity
Fundraising Myths: The full list
51. F So here's the full list of my top 7 Fundraising Myths; 1. Cheap is good, free is better 2. You can't fundraise without awareness 3. New shiny stuff has changed everything 4. It's easier for them 5. It's the economy, stupid 6. It will never work here 7. My fundraising method is better than … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: The full list
Fundraising Myths: No 7: My fundraising method is better than yours
5 Sometimes other people make life difficult for fundraisers. (Take a bow, programme and service delivery staff). But sometimes we just make tings hard for ourselves. And one of the ways we really undermine our own cause is by insisting that our method of fundraising is best and that all others are the preserve of … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: No 7: My fundraising method is better than yours
Fundraising Myths: No 5: It’s the economy, stupid
5I'm a truly unfortunate person. Really. I seem to have started in fundraising just when the good times ended. Apparently they finished the day before I started my first job (I won't say exactly when this was but it was a little while ago, the organisation had just had its first ever computer delivered and … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: No 5: It’s the economy, stupid
Fundraising Myths: No 6: It’ll never work here
5 I love fundraising in new markets. Ever since I ran my first international campaign, for Sightsavers in Ireland at the end of the '90s (1990s not 1890s, I know I'm old, but..), I have been fascinated by how fundraising changes and how it doesn't across different countries and cultures. I now have had experience … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: No 6: It’ll never work here
Fundraising Myths: No 4: It’s easier for them
I'v I've I've worked for a lot of charities. The story that I am working through international NGOs in alphabetical order is a total slur (I've already done W), but I have experienced quite a few causes. And without exception, from the fundraisers in each charity I have heard at some point the complaint … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: No 4: It’s easier for them
