5 top tips for fundraising

Building fundraising success is crucial for all charities, whatever your size and whatever your cause. Fundraising provides vital funds, builds your network of supporters, raises awareness about your work and impact and opens up potential for new partnerships.

How do you achieve this? This guide outlines five tips to help you build or refine your fundraising.

1.Clarify your message

Look at your project or cause objectively.  Of course you’re convinced of its importance but what are the things about it that will infect others with that enthusiasm and sense of urgency? What are the important points that will make your message compelling and convincing? 

When writing your case or materials, be careful not to alienate your readers.  Don’t make them search to understand references or acronyms you are using – explain them or direct very clearly.  Avoid jargon and stock phrases.  You want them to read and understand your narrative without distraction or irritation.

2. Focus on Impact 

When developing or reviewing your Case for Support, focus on impact. All funders, whether they are seven-figure prospects or people who participate in a sponsored fun run, want to know the positive effects that their financial support will create. It’s natural, as an organisation that is looking for funding, to begin your project by looking inward to identify what is needed. But donors aren’t motivated to contribute solely to the purchase of a new building or the creation of a research project. They want to know the problem that their gift will help to solve, who the beneficiaries of the funding will be, how much change will be generated – in short, what will the impact be? If you start by defining your desired outcomes and impact, you will end up with a strong Case for Support.

3. Prioritise 

Your resources as a charity are constrained. Therefore, you must maximise them. Well intentioned people may suggest a variety of fundraising ideas – from winter balls to crowdfunding – that makes it easy to get distracted. However, if you want fundraising to be effective for you and your organisation, you must pay close attention to what gets results.

Consider the areas where your investment will result in the best outcomes. Your time, money, and resources are all part of that investment. For example is trust fundraising and grant writing part of your fundraising mix?. You may have expertise on staff that handle this. However, some people use a consultant or freelancer to write bids, whether that’s the whole trust programme, to help at a particularly busy time or to coorindate a one-off large application.

4. Widen Your Net

Spending time considering your potential contributors’ names and locations is undoubtedly beneficial. Examine the research on the causes of giving. Consider your intended recipients and your reasons for giving.

Although this may make some charitable organisations uneasy, starting with your service customers is usually best. Who would make a better representative for your company?

Look at your Trustee board after that. Is something happening? Meet with your trustees to outline their role in fundraising, enlist their assistance, and share information on the important local businesses and charitable trusts you believe could support your cause. Inquire about any links.

Like every business, yours must choose its target market. It will be much simpler to raise money this way from motivated people to support your charity.

5. Be Present Online

Make sure your charity’s amazing job is accurately reflected in its internet presence. Use your website and social media channels to showcase your accomplishments, share upcoming plans, thank donors (as appropriate), and draw attention to the range of your organisation.

*

Fundraising is not an easy task, and it can be challenging if you are an organisation that is just starting out or has limited resources. Following these tips can help you build your fundraising. If you already have a programme in place, considering them may help you identify areas to adapt or add.

If you’re looking for funding consultants in the UK, check out Craigmyle Fundraising Consultants. We are an established firm passionate about offering fundraising services to charities and non-profit organisations. Book a consultation today to learn more.

 

 

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Building fundraising success is crucial for all charities, whatever your size and whatever your cause. Fundraising provides vital funds, builds your network of supporters, raises awareness about your work and impact and opens up potential for new partnerships.

How do you achieve this? This guide outlines five tips to help you build or refine your fundraising.

1.Clarify your message

Look at your project or cause objectively.  Of course you’re convinced of its importance but what are the things about it that will infect others with that enthusiasm and sense of urgency? What are the important points that will make your message compelling and convincing? 

When writing your case or materials, be careful not to alienate your readers.  Don’t make them search to understand references or acronyms you are using – explain them or direct very clearly.  Avoid jargon and stock phrases.  You want them to read and understand your narrative without distraction or irritation.

2. Focus on Impact 

When developing or reviewing your Case for Support, focus on impact. All funders, whether they are seven-figure prospects or people who participate in a sponsored fun run, want to know the positive effects that their financial support will create. It’s natural, as an organisation that is looking for funding, to begin your project by looking inward to identify what is needed. But donors aren’t motivated to contribute solely to the purchase of a new building or the creation of a research project. They want to know the problem that their gift will help to solve, who the beneficiaries of the funding will be, how much change will be generated – in short, what will the impact be? If you start by defining your desired outcomes and impact, you will end up with a strong Case for Support.

3. Prioritise 

Your resources as a charity are constrained. Therefore, you must maximise them. Well intentioned people may suggest a variety of fundraising ideas – from winter balls to crowdfunding – that makes it easy to get distracted. However, if you want fundraising to be effective for you and your organisation, you must pay close attention to what gets results.

Consider the areas where your investment will result in the best outcomes. Your time, money, and resources are all part of that investment. For example is trust fundraising and grant writing part of your fundraising mix?. You may have expertise on staff that handle this. However, some people use a consultant or freelancer to write bids, whether that’s the whole trust programme, to help at a particularly busy time or to coorindate a one-off large application.

4. Widen Your Net

Spending time considering your potential contributors’ names and locations is undoubtedly beneficial. Examine the research on the causes of giving. Consider your intended recipients and your reasons for giving.

Although this may make some charitable organisations uneasy, starting with your service customers is usually best. Who would make a better representative for your company?

Look at your Trustee board after that. Is something happening? Meet with your trustees to outline their role in fundraising, enlist their assistance, and share information on the important local businesses and charitable trusts you believe could support your cause. Inquire about any links.

Like every business, yours must choose its target market. It will be much simpler to raise money this way from motivated people to support your charity.

5. Be Present Online

Make sure your charity’s amazing job is accurately reflected in its internet presence. Use your website and social media channels to showcase your accomplishments, share upcoming plans, thank donors (as appropriate), and draw attention to the range of your organisation.

*

Fundraising is not an easy task, and it can be challenging if you are an organisation that is just starting out or has limited resources. Following these tips can help you build your fundraising. If you already have a programme in place, considering them may help you identify areas to adapt or add.

If you’re looking for funding consultants in the UK, check out Craigmyle Fundraising Consultants. We are an established firm passionate about offering fundraising services to charities and non-profit organisations. Book a consultation today to learn more.