Trust fundraising

For many charities, grant-making trusts are an important and productive source of income. However, there are so many possible pitfalls in making an approach that many charities don’t realise their full potential.

Trust fundraising is increasingly competitive, with good trust fundraisers at a premium and attracting high salaries. At the same time, low interest rates and poor performance in the markets have caused major problems for grant-makers. Do they continue to award grants at the same levels and erode their capital? Or do they reduce the level of funds that they distribute, just at a time when charities are struggling most?

There are no easy answers, but at times like these it is extremely important that charities sharpen up their act in the planning and implementation of their trust fundraising strategies. Trusts will appreciate your efforts, and of course, this is a good first step in securing funding.

Think about your application...

For example, some charities put a brochure in with all applications, believing that this strengthens their pitch. Just consider, however, the unfortunate trust administrator opening the envelope and needing to make a decision; do they copy it and circulate the copies to all trustees (which can be a mammoth task)? Or do they ignore the brochure, in which case the trustees don’t get to see it at all? Or pass it round the table (scarcely better)? Unless a trust explicitly asks for brochures to be included, it is far better for the applicant to incorporate a small number of appropriately-sized photographs which photocopy well within a well-formatted, professionally laid-out application.

In over 50 years, Craigmyle has helped more than 1,500 clients raise funds from grant-making bodies and we continue to lead in this form of fundraising.

We offer

A discrete grant-making trust application and management service, which, depending on the complexity of the task, can cost between £15,000 and £25,000 a year
Interim management of trust fundraising
Research to provide schedules of local and national trusts matched to your charity’s profile
Specific training and support of a client’s own fundraiser
Strategic advice regarding the place of grant-making trusts within the overall strategy
Trust fundraising management or advice within the context of support for a major capital campaign
Lottery and other bid advice or writing

Where next?

For an informal discussion, phone us on 01582 762441, or send us an e-mail.

 
Find out how we can help with...
Capital campaigns
Feasibility studies
Revenue fundraising
Securing major gifts
Trust fundraising
Legacy programmes
Fundraising strategies
Charitable giving and taxation
Recruitment, training & interim management