Effective Fundraising

always… do your homework & be prepared put yourself in their shoes use your imagination be flexible be professional keep them close say thank you…whenever you get the chance

charitable trusts & foundations their purpose is to give money away 8,000 trusts donate £3billion every year research & stay focused make connections – internal & external read guidelines thoroughly & submit well thought out application rarely fund retrospectively – “trusts like to be enablers”

corporate partnerships one off or multi year gift sponsorship – brand awareness benefits staff fundraising – events, etc or payroll giving cause related marketing – look for synergies with your project pro-bono or secondment gifts in kind charity of the year – often staff vote

what’s in it for me? identify the benefit to both parties what impact for your project? what impact for their business & customers? draw up a contract outline the relationship & agree expectations reporting, payments & review

friends’ schemes regular gift with some benefits in return different levels, names & benefits aim – to grow a loyal donor base consider the purpose of your scheme one off project or annual revenue? open to anyone or invitation only? keep it interesting – vary the benefits what benefits will you offer? newsletter, events, behind the scene tours of your project, recognition board…

major donors compelling case for support involvement of key players access to HNWIs good research engagement opportunities patience & resilience don’t rush willingness to network do what you said you would…deliver thank, thank, thank!

gift aid free money for very little effort scheme from HMRC which allows you to increase the value of gifts from individuals by 25% at no extra cost to the donor just need a completed GA declaration

legacies or gifts in wills the ultimate gift - often the most valuable long term strategy - not immediate results “drip-feed” in all communications can prepare simple wording to make it easy to do remember a charity in your will week don’t feel embarrassed to broach the subject

resources to get you started talk to everyone you know – local press & business people good old rich lists – local library – directory of grant making trusts, and your competitors / similar projects – who supports them? free funding guide downloadable at