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

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

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

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

How often have you heard it, "but hasn't <insert name of latest techno fad here> changed everything"? Often from board members or CEOs. Or direct mail or face to face fundraising is "so 20th century". Don't get me wrong, I don't think that fundraising is somehow immune from the revolutionary changes in how people communicate … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: No 3: New shiny stuff has changed everything

Some of the best people in the fundraising sector, in my opinion, have come from doing marketing in the for profit world. But lots of people also come into the sector from often large commercial brands and, to put it politely, don't do all that well running fundraising operations. I think we can all think … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: No 2: You can’t fundraise without awareness

So, at the risk of never working again in this sector, here's a confession. I don't know the secret of great fundraising. I really don't. You want a fundraising miracle? Sorry, need to go elsewhere. But what I do know is how to avoid doing really bad fundraising. And, I rather think that's as least … Continue reading Fundraising Myths: No 1: Cheap is good, free is better