I'm just back from New York City. Yes, I know it's terrible the sacrifices I have to make in this job. Although as I keep saying, to general total lack of sympathy it has to be said, you try this amount of economy class travel and tell me then that it's glamorous.. I'd never been … Continue reading Why I hate events
Fundraising
What do we have to hide?
If you think that charities are having a hard time in the media at moment, spare a thought for our Irish colleagues. There it has felt like it's been open season on the sector for months. There seems to be a new attack in a major newspaper or other media outlet almost every day. For … Continue reading What do we have to hide?
The Swedish Way of Fundraising
Having spent a couple of days in Stockholm, a beautiful city which really needs not to be visited in the middle of February, I've come away with some interesting insights into fundraising practices here. Well I think they're interesting anyway. But I've been known to find charity VAT regulations fascinating… But back to Sweden. What … Continue reading The Swedish Way of Fundraising
Shouldn’t we work for free?
Most of the time charities get a pretty good press and frankly a fairly easy ride from the media. Every now and then we don't and some aspect of what we do comes under more searching scrutiny. I think that's a good thing, honestly. Charities raise large sums of money from the public, deliver all … Continue reading Shouldn’t we work for free?
Why Fundraising Awards Are Evil
M Now, let's be clear. My attitude towards the regular cycle of fundraising awards (such as the Institute of Fundraising national awards now being advertised), is completely driven by the likelihood or not of me, personally getting one. Any award Tobin's organisation gets is a true watermark of distinction, reflecting pure quality and excellence and … Continue reading Why Fundraising Awards Are Evil
5 Things I Learned in India
I spent a recent trip to India largely in traffic jams in Delhi, Calcutta and Bangalore. Which was sort of interesting, for example speculating on why when the rules of the road are there are no rules and everyone drives with an utter disregard for their own or anyone else's safety, I didn't see a … Continue reading 5 Things I Learned in India
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 Fundamentals 