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 www.google.co.uk• rich lists – www.prospectingforgold.org• local library – directory of grant making trusts, www.trustfunding.org.uk and www.charitycommission.gov.uk • your competitors / similar projects – who supports them?• free funding guide downloadable at www.brick-work.org