Personalised event experiences can turn attendees into loyal supporters by making them feel individually valued and connected to your charity’s goals. When planning fundraising events, incorporating small personal touches—before, during, and after the event—can boost engagement and strengthen long-term commitment.
Let’s explore how you can create memorable, tailored experiences at each stage of your event to build deeper connections and lasting support for your cause.
Understanding Your Attendees
By gathering relevant data and segmenting your audience, you can plan experiences that resonate with the preferences and interests of each individual or group in your community.
Collecting Data for Personalisation
Start by identifying key data points that can help you understand your attendees, such as:
- Past Participation: Have they attended previous events or donated before? Boost excitement among returning supporters by recalling highlights from events they previously participated in. Consider providing incentives, such as discounted tickets, to inspire new attendees.
- Preferred Communication Channels: Some attendees may prefer emails, while others engage more through social media or text. Use the channels your supporters prefer most to increase their likelihood of reading and responding.
- Interests and Motivations: Learn what drives supporters to attend your events, whether it’s supporting a specific project, staying active, or meeting new people. Leverage these insights to inform your marketing strategy and event activities.
- Donation History: High-impact donors or participants who have raised significant funds may appreciate special recognition or exclusive event perks.
Use your event registration form and supporter surveys to collect more information about your attendees. As you do, be sure to maintain data hygiene by standardising formatting in your database and regularly auditing supporter profiles to identify any outdated or missing details.
Segmenting Attendees for Tailored Experiences
Categorise your attendees into distinct groups to target personalised elements more precisely. Consider segmenting them into categories such as:
- Top Fundraisers and Major Donors: Recognise these attendees and encourage their continued support by giving them exclusive perks or “VIP” access to your event.
- New Participants: Tailor a welcome experience for newcomers, such as a first-time attendee guide or designated support area, to help them feel more comfortable and included.
- Returning Supporters: Strengthen connection and loyalty among returning attendees by including shout-outs at your event or sending them free, exclusive event merchandise before they attend.
By collecting key data points and segmenting your audience thoughtfully, you lay the groundwork for delivering a personalised experience that feels genuinely meaningful to each attendee.
Pre-Event Personalisation Ideas
Explore these ideas to create personalised attendee journeys that begin from the first interaction:
- Customised invitations: Personalise invitations by addressing attendees by their preferred name, referencing past participation, or connecting to their interests. For example, remind previous attendees of their positive impact, or highlight how this year’s event relates to their past involvement or a specific project they support.
- Tailored registration options: Offer a flexible registration process that allows attendees to choose options that best suit their needs, such as registering individually, signing up with others, or participating virtually.
- Flexible pre-event engagement: Build anticipation by sending pre-event updates tailored to attendee groups. Engage attendees on social media with sneak peeks and shout-outs for returning participants, and encourage them to share their excitement with a unique event hashtag. This strategy not only builds a stronger community but also increases awareness and involvement.
These personalised pre-event touchpoints enhance engagement, helping attendees feel more connected to your charity and committed to supporting its mission before event day even arrives.
On-the-Day Personalisation Ideas
Consider these thoughtful event-day touches to make a lasting impression on each attendee:
Branded Welcome Kits
Provide attendees with personalised welcome kits, which might include:
- A name tag
- Branded merchandise like water bottles, hats, or stickers
- Samples or giveaways from event sponsors
These items create a sense of belonging for attendees during the event and serve as mementos they can continue to appreciate once the event concludes.
Technology for Real-Time Personalisation
Integrate event technology to add a personal touch in real time, such as:
- Event Apps: Use an event app where attendees can access the event schedule and receive personalised notifications.
- Interactive Leaderboards: Display real-time leaderboards for donations or other individual achievements to inspire engagement and friendly competition.
- Special Check-In Experiences: To enhance the experience of top donors or VIP guests and show appreciation for their support, consider providing dedicated check-in areas or fast-track options.
These personalised on-the-day experiences make participants feel recognised, valued, and engaged in ways that strengthen their commitment to your charity’s mission. By focusing on personal touches throughout the event, you create a day to remember—one that attendees will look forward to each year.
Post-Event Personalisation Ideas
After the event, personalised follow-up is key to building lasting relationships. Start with sincere thank-you messages highlighting each attendee’s unique impact to make them feel appreciated and valued.
Follow up with tailored content, like event highlights and impact stories, to show the difference each attendee’s support made. Share a post-event survey to collect feedback and demonstrate that your organisation is committed to continually improving its event experiences.
Finally, maintain supporter relationships by sharing exclusive updates, inviting them to future events, or providing other involvement opportunities they may be interested in. For example, you can ask previous attendees to serve as volunteers at your next event or join a dedicated social media group to connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about your cause.
Personalised experiences turn your event into a memorable journey that strengthens support and deepens commitment to your charity’s mission. By incorporating personal touches before, during, and after your event, you turn supporters from passive participants into active champions of your cause.
As you plan, remember that personalisation doesn’t have to be complex. Even small charities with limited budgets can find ways to tailor event experiences for attendees. Start small, focusing on what resonates most with your audience, and watch as each personal touch builds a stronger, more engaged community ready to support your cause year after year.
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
Caroline is an expert in trusts and foundations and major gifts fundraising and has raised millions for good causes. She runs LarkOwl with her partner Tony which supports charities with income generation from fundraising and commercial sources. She writes the Nest Egg, a fun and irreverent reader supported publication for fundraisers looking to supercharge their income generation activities and drive better results. Caroline is a regular guest host for the Bright Spot Members’ Club and her writing has been featured in Fundraising Magazine. For the past two years, she has co-curated Fundraising Everywhere’s Trusts and Major Donors conference.
If you’ve been wanting to register for Trusts and Major Donor Conference 2024, but haven’t been able to get budget sign-off from your manager, or you’re just not sure how to ask, Caroline Danks, conference co-curator, has written this brilliant letter. Copy, paste, and let’s get you there!
Dear Boss,
I’m writing to request a ticket to Trusts and Major Donors 2024.
It’s happening online at midday GMT on Thursday 12 December.
Please find below my reasons below / a business case for attending this event.
1. The Content
As a fundraiser working in the philanthropy space, I am very excited by every single session happening at Trusts and Major Donors 2024.
This year’s conference will focus on practical skills (following feedback from last year’s shindig).
The curators have been very intentional in matching speakers to topics. Beth and Caroline have been doing this work for a long time. They know the state of the sector and have both done major gifts and trust fundraising successfully in a number of different settings.
They know the topics we want to hear about (and the people who should be teaching them) – will you just look at those fabulous faces?!
I am especially excited to learn how:
Experienced trusts and foundations consultant Alicia Grainger organises her research;
Olivia Andrews approaches Monitoring and Evaluation AND tries to do it in an anti-racist way;
Philanthropy superstars Kevin Amponsah and Sarah Washington increase success rates and get face to face meetings.
Additionally, I want to hear:
Author and philanthropist Lisa Greer in conversation with Caroline about how donors and fundraisers can connect authentically
Lindsay Storie’s honest reflections on a career working with philanthropists (and how his thinking has changed)
A group of fundraisers talking about why they’ve remained in post for as long as they have – retention isn’t just for donors, it’s for staff too…
Matt Zeqiri sharing a fresh and creative approach to proposal writing.
The full programme is here with more details are being added all the time.
2. The Community
Being a fundraiser is hard right now.
I’m tired, you’re probably tired.
An afternoon away from Raisers’ Edge to connect with colleagues would be a welcome and necessary intervention in my weary fundraiser life.
Chatting with others and exploring new ideas together is energising and motivating. It’s exactly the boost I need right now.
Fundraising Everywhere’s recent research on Learning and Development in our sector revealed:
“a strong desire among fundraisers for opportunities that go beyond immediate work needs, especially in areas like well-being, networking, and career progression”.
So, before I slide into a vat of brandy butter and Michael Buble, I’d love some inspiration from fellow sector warriors so I can emerge from the fairy lights in January feeling fresh and excited for the coming year.
3. Ease Of Access
This is an online conference meaning it’s so much easier for me to go!
As well as being able to attend from the comfort of my Oodie (Or we could do a watch party as a team? I promise to wear actual clothes), there will be no need for you to stump up the cost of travel, accommodation or dinner in Wahaca on the way home.
All we need to cover is the price of the ticket (which is £75).
Because it’s online, I get to watch back the sessions I missed and / or my favourite sessions. Amazing!
4. ROI
We’re in the high value market so I don’t need to tell you that most of the gifts we solicit are in the range of four figures +
I’m totally confident that if I were to pick up only 1 golden nugget of advice from this conference and apply it (as many times as needed), it will result in one more gift than had I not attended.
That’s at least £1,000 more for (insert charity name).
But with so many incredible sessions, plus the ability to watch it back afterwards, I’m going to get multiple nuggets which will undoubtedly contribute directly to our success overall.
Fundraising Everywhere’s recent research backs this up:
“There’s no doubt that Learning and Development drives success.
In our research, 91% of fundraisers from growing organisations have engaged in training in the past 12 months…
This shows how learning doesn’t just help you grow professionally – it also has a direct impact on the success of your charity”.
The cost of attending is just £75 – a steal really when you consider the difference it’s going to make.
5. The Opportunity To Support Some Wonderful People
The team at Fundraising Everywhere are completely fantastic people. They’d never say so themselves of course, they’re far too modest.
If I attend this conference, we as an organisation get to make a statement about the kinds of people we want leading our fundraising training in the future.
Fundraising Everywhere have solid policies regarding inclusion that they ACTUALLY live by.
They pay every single one of their speakers, meaning that people who cannot afford to speak for free are not excluded from sharing their knowledge with others.
They actively seek out new voices and perspectives, prioritising experts from diverse backgrounds who have thus far been excluded from a traditionally very white / hetero / ableist sector.
They are conscious of the environmental impact of their work and take action to mitigate their carbon use.
They provide scholarships, training and free content for charities with limited budgets.
All of this not only results in better training for me (no one wants to hear the same old people repeatedly), but it encourages others to meet new basic standards of decency and humanity.
I would love to see (insert your org name here) committed to similar values.
To Recap
So all that being the case, will you buy me a ticket to Trusts and Major Donors 2024?
I would be forever grateful and promise not to leave to join (insert alternative charity name here) anytime soon.
With inestimable gratitude – thanks for being an awesome boss,
(insert your name here)
You can buy tickets to Trusts and Major Donors 2024 using this link.
Please note, this is an affiliate link meaning that LarkOwl gets 25% of all ticket sales bought through this link (which we will be spending on a barrel of the finest spiced rum).
Can’t wait to see you all there.
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
As a One of Many™ certified leadership coach and trainer, Sarah Tite brings together many years of leadership experience with tools and techniques that help people face challenges with confidence. She is Director of Sarah Tite Coaching Ltd.
I was excited to have an opportunity to read and reflect on the findings of this important piece of research.
Let’s skip to the end of the report, pause and reflect on this ‘Organisations that prioritise L&D are more likely to have better fundraising performance’. Then head back to the beginning to look at who invested the time to participate in this research, nearly 60% were managers, heads or directors many of whom then went on to say that the reasons not meeting their L&D needs are because of time, capacity, head space and budget!
The Cost of Dedication: Overwhelm in the Non-profit Sector
Why am I skipping about because when you put these three findings together it raises a question for me about what the impact on junior and non-management staff is, if leaders who have privilege and power don’t prioritise or feel able to make space for personal development. Not discounting the impact on leaders who feel unable to put themselves first.
As a leader myself in the non-profit sector for the last 20 years, I have seen how people who choose this path are incredibly dedicated, working hard towards a cause they believe in, but this can come at a high cost when hard work slips in to overwhelm, stress and frustration, impacting on an individual’s self-confidence and performance.
I just want to invite you to reflect on the difference it could make to you and your teams’ performance, happiness and resilience if you role-modelled protecting time in your diary to focus on your own wellbeing. Imagine what could be possible 😊
12% of respondents had accessed coaching as part of their personal development.
Have you considered how coaching could support individual and team learning and development. Or have you dismissed it because of what you think it would cost!
I invite you to think again because while the benefits of coaching are many, from impact on an individual’s wellbeing to the ripple effect this has across teams and organisations. Research has shown that 80% of people who receive coaching report increased self-confidence, and over 70% benefit from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills. 86% of organisations report that they recouped their investment on coaching and more.
As a member of Fundraising Everywhere not only can you access their Confident Charity Leaders Programme of on-demand video content to help support you to lead with more confidence but also they fund a 30-minute coaching session with one of my charity experienced qualified coaches – this is an opportunity to give yourself permission to pause, to think and explore what is on your mind, helping you to deepen your thinking or think differently.
Benefits of Building Self-Confidence
The benefits of building self-confidence are clear because a mind free from doubt, acts rather than ruminates and procrastinates. This is important because feeling able to control one’s own workload, build healthy relationships at work and have open communication however difficult it may feel are all cited as areas that lead to work-related stress, if they are not managed properly.
Deloitte’s survey “Mental health and employers – The case for investment” revealed that organisations who invest in the mental health of their employees will see a return of £5.30 on average for every £1 invested, so putting wellbeing and personal development at the heart of organisations is self-evident for building workplaces where people thrive, not just survive.
Bringing awareness to a problem is the first step to creating change which is why I welcome Fundraising Everywhere’s commitment to creating change in the charity sector by investing in research that draws out what is present below the surface so it can be tackled head on.
How to Make L&D Work for You
At Fundraising Everywhere, our mission is to make learning and development simple, flexible, and impactful. We understand the challenges fundraisers face, which is why we’ve built a platform that meets you where you are. We’re always evolving, actively listening to your feedback and continuously finding new ways to support you. This year alone, we introduced four brand new conferences in direct response to the needs and requests of our Members.
L&D is about more than just learning; it’s about empowering you to succeed in your role and thrive in your career. And Fundraising Everywhere is here to support you on that journey.
Want to dig into the data of our recent research report on L&D in the charity sector?
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
Written by Cam St-Omer Donaldson
Cam St-Omer Donaldson is Head of Member Engagement and Relations at Fundraising Everywhere.
At Fundraising Everywhere, we understand that learning and development (L&D) isn’t just important – it’s crucial for fundraisers who want to grow, succeed, and thrive in their roles.
But we also understand that accessing meaningful L&D opportunities can often feel challenging, especially with the demands of the job.
Our recent research reinforces this, showing that while fundraisers see the value of professional development, many face barriers like lack of time, limited capacity, and a need for more variety in learning formats.
That’s where we come in – making L&D not only accessible but also easy to integrate into your busy schedule.
Time: The Biggest Barrier for Fundraisers
One of the most common challenges highlighted in our research is finding the time for learning. 62% of fundraisers reported that time is the biggest barrier to pursuing L&D. Between managing donor relationships, planning campaigns, and dealing with day-to-day responsibilities, it’s no wonder finding time for training can feel impossible.
That’s why we’ve designed our learning content to be as flexible as possible. With Fundraising Everywhere, you can engage with training on your own terms, whether through live webinars or on-demand sessions that fit into your schedule.
Short, focused learning experiences mean you can get the insights you need without overwhelming your workload.
A Need for Variety in Learning & Development
Our research also highlights the need for variety in L&D. Fundraisers are looking for more than just one-size-fits-all training – they need content that reflects the wide range of skills required in their roles. That’s why we offer a wide range of learning opportunities to suit your needs, from bite-sized learning sessions to more in-depth courses. You choose what works best for you.
The Connection Between Learning and Charity Success
There’s no doubt that L&D drives success. In our research, 91% of fundraisers from growing organisations have engaged in training in the past 12 months. Those who invest in their development are more likely to meet their fundraising goals and stay in their roles longer.
One Member shared their experience with us:
“This training has been incredibly helpful. It’s led us to refresh our communication strategy, and that’s made a real difference for our organisation.”
This shows how learning doesn’t just help you grow professionally – it also has a direct impact on the success of your charity.
Supporting Your Growth Beyond Fundraising Skills
L&D isn’t just about developing fundraising skills – it’s about personal and professional growth. Our research revealed a strong desire among fundraisers for opportunities that go beyond immediate work needs, especially in areas like well-being, networking, and career progression.
Many fundraisers feel they lack the space to grow beyond their immediate role.
That’s why we provide training that supports your overall development, whether you’re looking to improve your work-life balance, build your network, or explore new career paths.
Our new Career Development Collection is a great example of how we’re providing fundraisers with the tools to explore new opportunities and advance their careers. Check it out here. ⬅️
Why L&D Matters Now More Than Ever
The findings from our research are clear: fundraisers who feel supported in their learning and development are more likely to thrive in their roles. Whether it’s overcoming the barrier of time, accessing varied learning formats, or building new skills, prioritising L&D can make all the difference.
For both individual fundraisers and organisations alike, investing in L&D isn’t just about achieving immediate goals. It’s about long-term growth and sustainability – for you, your charity, and the wider sector.
Third Sector recently highlighted these findings from our report, reinforcing the importance of L&D in driving both staff retention and performance across the charity sector. Check out the article here. ⬅️
How to Make L&D Work for You
At Fundraising Everywhere, our mission is to make learning and development simple, flexible, and impactful. We understand the challenges fundraisers face, which is why we’ve built a platform that meets you where you are. We’re always evolving, actively listening to your feedback and continuously finding new ways to support you. This year alone, we introduced four brand new conferences in direct response to the needs and requests of our Members.
L&D is about more than just learning; it’s about empowering you to succeed in your role and thrive in your career. And Fundraising Everywhere is here to support you on that journey.
Want to dig into the data of our recent research report on L&D in the charity sector?
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
Alex Aggidis is Head of Growth Marketing at Fundraising Everywhere. She leads on brand, creative development, marketing planning and strategy. Alex worked as a fundraiser for over 10 years in the UK charity sector, across Corporates, Major Gifts and Product Innovation, before specialising in Individual Giving. During her time at Scope, Alex and her team won 3 Gold and 1 Silver DMA awards across 4 separate categories. Alex won a place as a ‘rising star’ to speak at SOFII’s ‘I Wish I Though Of That’ and won 2nd place overall. Before joining Fundraising Everywhere Alex was Interim Head of Individual Giving at Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In the world of fundraising, Individual Giving remains a critical pillar of support for charities of all sizes. But as we move towards 2025, the landscape is shifting, presenting both challenges and opportunities for fundraisers.
As economic uncertainties linger, donor expectations evolve, and digital engagement grows, as fundraisers we must adapt and innovate to ensure our strategies remain effective.
But, as we know, this stuff isn’t easy. And fundraisers are tired. It feels a bit like we’re at the foot of the highest mountain, and, despite our efforts, the summit remains just beyond reach.
The Current State of Individual Giving Fundraising
In recent years, Individual Giving has experienced a bit of a rollercoaster. Economic pressures, driven by factors such as inflation and the cost-of-living crisis, have placed strain on donors.
Many supporters are finding it harder to maintain the same level of giving they once did.
Fundraisers are now trying to manage fewer regular gifts, regulatory changes, increased donor fatigue, and a competitive environment in a context where the need for support is higher than ever.
The rise of digital engagement also means that fundraisers must navigate new tools and platforms, while donors expect seamless, personalised experiences.
In addition, transparency and accountability are at the forefront of donors’ minds. They want to know how their contributions are making a difference and increasingly seek a direct connection with the causes they support.
The Difficulties Facing Fundraisers Today
1. Donor Retention: Keeping donors engaged over the long term is a significant challenge. With more charities competing for attention, fundraisers are grappling with how to stand out and nurture meaningful relationships.
2. Shifting Donor Demographics: The older generations, historically the most reliable supporters of individual giving, are beginning to step back from active donation, while younger generations are emerging as potential donors. However, their giving habits are different—they prioritise impact, demand digital convenience, and expect deeper connections with the causes they support.
3. Budget Constraints: Many charities are operating on tighter budgets, with less capacity to invest in innovative campaigns or technology upgrades. This makes it harder to keep up with donor expectations and fundraising best practices.
4. Digital Transformation: While digital tools offer immense potential, they also pose a steep learning curve. Understanding how to harness the power of digital platforms to create a cohesive donor experience is a challenge that fundraisers are increasingly facing.
Preparing for 2025: What Fundraisers Should Be Thinking About
To succeed in 2025 and beyond, fundraisers need to think ahead, strategise, and invest in areas that will future-proof efforts. Here are a few areas to start:
- Deepening Donor Relationships: Fundraisers should focus on personalisation, using data-driven insights to offer tailored experiences. This could mean segmenting donor communications, offering exclusive updates, or providing more opportunities for feedback and involvement.
- Diversifying Channels: Fundraisers should explore multi-channel approaches, using email, direct mail, paid social, telephone, SMS, dialogue, and even emerging technologies like AI to reach different donor segments.
- Emphasising Transparency: Donors want to know exactly how their money is being used and the impact it’s having. Clear communication, frequent thanking and reporting are key to maintaining trust and ensuring long-term support.
- Focusing on Emerging Donors: Engaging millennials and Gen Z requires adapting to their preferences. This includes creating more interactive digital experiences and offering easy, mobile-first donation options.
The Solution
Fundraisers may feel overwhelmed by the current situation, but you don’t have to tackle challenges alone, help is at hand.
By joining a community of fellow fundraisers, you can tap into a wealth of shared knowledge, advice, and support. Platforms like Fundraising Everywhere offer access to a global network where you can connect with peers, share insights, and collaborate on solutions to common challenges.
Additionally, you can find free resources dotted all around the internet, webinars, guides, and forums. Linkedin, for instance, has a whole host of peers and experts ready and waiting to connect with you. We also have a weekly newsletter, that shares fundraising tips, insights and support.
Here at Fundraising Everywhere, we also have the 5th edition of the Individual Giving Conference, coming up on October 17th 2024. Its been expertly curated to address the very pain points discussed in this blog, and equip fundraisers with the tools and strategies you need to thrive.
With 3 rooms; insights & people, acquisition and retention, there’s something for everyone across the whole Individual Giving space.
Including sessions like:
How To Raise £1 million In 6 Weeks
Speaker: Anna-Leigh Purland. Learn how Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex raised the £1M to buy a new lifesaving helicopter in just 6 weeks, via a multi channel campaign including warm mail, door drops and press ads.
Supporter Welcome Journeys: Top Tips to Build Strong Donor Relationships
Speaker: Claire Donner, More Onion. Learn how to design a welcome journey that turns new supporters into your biggest advocates. With over a decade of insights from More Onion, Claire will guide you through practical steps to refine your current approach or start fresh.
How Action Tutoring Saves Time And Energy With AI
Speaker: Molly Cottrill, Senior Fundraising Coordinator at Action Tutoring. In this session, discover Action Tutoring’s AI journey, learn how they are using generative AI, and their plans are for safely using AI going forward.
Growing Your Peer To Peer Campaigns – Engage More Donors And Raise More Money
Speaker: Muna Hussen, UK Country Lead at Raisely. This session will take the confusion out of exactly what you need to do, to deliver on great peer to peer campaigns!
Building Your Stewardship Programme From The Ground Up
Speaker: Paul Taylor, Senior CRM Specialist at JustGiving. In this session, JustGiving’s Head of CRM, Paul Taylor will take you through planning, building, crafting and sending the perfect email.
Individual Giving Conference will provide practical, actionable takeaways to help you navigate the unique challenges of 2024 and beyond.
Whether it’s learning how to deepen donor relationships or understanding the latest in digital innovation, this conference offers the insights fundraisers need to stay ahead.
As we look to 2025, it’s time to rethink traditional approaches, embrace innovation, and equip ourselves with the tools to succeed.
Register now for the Individual Giving Conference 2024 and get ready to unlock new opportunities in your fundraising strategy.
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
Simon Scriver is the co-founder of Fundraising Everywhere, a recovering fundraiser, coach/mentor, trainer, keynote speaker, podcast delighter and lovable imp. Fundraising Magazine named him one of Top 20 Most Influential Fundraisers. He has also won Fundraising Ireland’s ‘Small Budget, Big Impact’ and ‘Supplier Of The Year’ Awards, Eircom’s Start-up Award, and was a 2019 finalist of Charities Institute Ireland’s Communications Agency of the Year. He’s a TEDx speaker and has previously won the Toastmasters UK & Ireland International Speech Contest. He holds a Diploma in Fundraising and a Certificate in Fundraising, and is working towards a degree in Theology.
Fundraising challenges come at you from all directions.
Sometimes the most disheartening and difficult challenge is the resistance you might receive from your co-workers. At some stage you’ve probably witnessed the other staff in your charity complain about fundraising or felt their lack of support and interest. You might even have felt alone in your organisation. Look around the staff meeting…are you the only fundraiser?
It doesn’t have to be us and them.
With a bit of ‘internal marketing’ you can get your co-workers on your side… and even get them happily fundraising for you. Here are five tips:
1. Send Updates To Staff
Consider sending monthly or even weekly updates to everyone in your organisation. It doesn’t need to be a comprehensive newsletter, but a quick email talking about something that’s happened or something you’re planning.
Follow similar rules to when you communicate with your donors: centre your news on your staff. Why does it matter to them? Why should they feel great? What can they do to help? What are their goals and what are they trying to achieve?
It seems crazy, but sometimes being inside the organisation can make it really difficult for non-profit workers to see what they’re achieving. Show them in the same way you show your donors. I introduced this in one organisation and within a year nearly half of the staff had signed up to be monthly donors…inspired by their own work and now donating towards their own salaries!
2. Feedback Successes
In particular let your co-workers know about fundraising successes…and make it about them. That large donation didn’t come in because you’re a great fundraiser…it came in because the donor recognised how important the work is and what a great job the staff are doing. Thank them for that.
You might be surprised what works. I remember staff being unimpressed with a four-figure donation from a company they’d never heard of, but a few free Facebook ads were incredible to them. It felt like Facebook had noticed us and the work we were doing!
3. Work With Them… Not Against
You can’t make people do something they don’t want to do…and why would you want to? Don’t expect staff to fundraise for you or shake buckets for you or go to your stupid Harry Potter quiz at the end of a hard week working with vulnerable people.
Instead try to get them involved in a way that suits them. This can take time but is going to be much more productive for you. Can they introduce you to a corporate connection? Have they been meaning to take part in a 5km run? Do they want to bake cakes and decorate the room for your Thank-You Day?
Help them be successful with what interests them and you’ll see them step up to help in other ways. And those that don’t…Hey, fundraising isn’t for everyone. Leave them to it and wait for them to come round themselves when they see others involved.
4. Humanise Your Donors
Fundraisers are a bridge…linking your staff and beneficiaries with the general public. You know that part of your role is to show the good work you do to your supporters. But it’s also your job to inform your staff on what your supporters are saying and doing.
If you’re not already doing it, asking your donors and the general public for their own stories, their messages of support and their thoughts is a great way to increase supporter engagement. But then sharing those inspiring words and stories with your co-workers is a great way to motivate them and get them on your side.
Non-profit staff can find it difficult to look outside. But you can easily bring the sunshine to them.
5. Meet Your Staff and Board One-on-One
Maybe you’re given opportunities to address the staff or speak at Board meetings. That’s great. But by only addressing the group as a whole you’re missing out on opportunities.
Make time to sit down with staff members one-on-one and understand what their goals are. Build a relationship and build trust. Likewise, invite each member of the Board out for coffee. You’ll learn more about them in 30 minutes then you will in 10 years of Board meetings.
Through these one-on-one meetings you’ll begin to understand your staff and Board better, and understand how you can best help each other.
As if you didn’t have enough to do already!
But by putting the time in to motivating the non-fundraisers in your organisation you’ll see better relationships and better results. And banging your head against the wall will be a thing of the past.
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Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
Guest blog post by David Page
David is a Director of Triceratops Training who offer affirming, accessible and affordable support for small charitable organisations. He has been around small charities his whole life as a service user, volunteer, staff member, leader and now as a consultant and trainer. He too struggles to juggle.
It is hard, isn’t it? So many balls in the air, and while it is definitely is a skill we need to master, it is not in the way we imagined as children.
As fundraisers we need to juggle, juggle so many relationships and responsibilities in copious contexts – feeling like we are being judged in all of them.
Consider too those working in smaller organisations, those who in addition to juggling the responsibilities of solo-fundraising, also have the liabilities of service delivery, leadership, communications, volunteer management and more tossed into the mix.
However, let’s not compare the struggles of others to our own, it is hard for all of us, isn’t it? No wonder burnout too often rears its head and the balls fall to the floor, cascading our issues to those who have to pick them up.
Right, that is enough bad news.
We are a people of action and not ones for wallowing in the mire.
I have the joy of connecting with, and hopefully helping, a plethora of diverse charities who appreciate a friendly hand to help guide them.
Recently a charity has approached me with succession planning on their mind. Why? Because the CEO knows that they are teetering under the pressure, and two huge unavoidable events are on the horizon. The Chair of the Board’s term is coming to an end, always a pressured time for leadership, but even greater is the fact that a close family member has been given a terminal diagnosis, and it is recognised that they, the CEO, will need to take extended leave to process the unavoidable grief.
This is astounding leadership, in having the foresight, self-awareness and humility in saying ‘we need help’, as they juggle all the relentless work responsibilities, but also navigate the deep reality of a personal life too.
And asking for that help proactively, before it is too late, it hugely admirable.
Help comes in a formal way, through professional external support as I offer, and through the upskilling staff and volunteers to share the load. But importantly, it also comes with peer support, finding those near you who are in similar situations.
Formal and informal, these avenues all offer wonderful wins, which is why our sessions at Triceratops Training try to cover both professional and peer bases with an affirming and understanding tone, one which I think we all need when we are facing up to huge, relentless challenges.
A burden shared is a burden halved – or so we are told.
So, my advice is to reach out, connect, extend your supportive network – it is what we all need if we are to thrive, no matter how we are wired.
You see, there are over 160,000 active charities around the UK with an income of under £1m. These charities are packed with people juggling just like you, people struggling just like you, people winning just like you, even if at times it does not feel that way.
So what are the next steps?
I am working on a couple of new communities especially for smaller organisations, neither of which are ready to be public yet, but both of which aim to make it easier for you to get the peer and professional support you need. Visit Triceratopstraining.co.uk, give us your email address and we will keep you updated.
In the meantime, communities already exist for you to tap into. Fundraising Everywhere is fantastic, and your local CVS or VSO are where I would start for that local connection (and maybe coffee and cake too).
It may also help to remember this from the irresistibly quotable author L.R.Knost “Taking care of yourself does not mean me first, it means me too”. So, take care of yourself by finding others who can, as you help take care of others.
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
We know it’s a tough fundraising landscape out there with continued economic uncertainty among everything else.
But, as ever, we’re here to help you navigate these choppy waters with confidence and optimism.
Individual Giving Conference 2024 is back in October!
Before we get onto the specifics, we wanted to share something important with you first.
Below, are the top 5 problems you’re experiencing right now.
And, more importantly, the solutions to help you overcome them.
1. 📉 Economic Uncertainty and the Cost of Living Crisis
Problem: The UK is experiencing significant economic challenges, including inflation and a cost of living crisis. This reduces disposable income for many individuals, leading to a decline in charitable donations and new donor acquisition.
Solution: Understanding the core needs of your key audiences and diversifying your fundraising strategies will help you be seen by the right donor, in the right place, at the right time.
IG Conf 2024 session to help you:
➡️ How to Recruit More Individual Giving Donors
💡Open, the team who have analysed over £1bn of income from 15 of the UK’s most-loved charities, will be sharing the top opportunities for IG recruitment.
2. 😩 Donor Fatigue
Problem: Charities have never been more needed. Though, with numerous charities vying for attention, donors can become overwhelmed and fatigued, leading to decreased engagement and support.
Solution: Personalise your communications and implement effective stewardship programmes to re-engage donors, mitigate fatigue and enhance loyalty.
IG Conf 2024 session to help you:
➡️ Enhancing Donor Relationships through Strategic Engagement
💡Learn how to deepen your donor relationships and boost giving through strategic supporter journeys & engagement actions, with More Onion.
3. 🤖 Digital Skills Gap
Problem: The shift towards digital fundraising was accelerated by the pandemic, but many charities are experiencing a digital skills gap.
Solution: Invest in digital fundraising training and leverage user-friendly platforms to enhance your digital campaigns.
IG Conf 2024 session to help you:
➡️ 10 Tactics for Jump Starting a Stalled Digital Fundraising Program
💡 Get practical strategies to implement and scale your digital fundraising efforts across email, paid and organic social, search ads (including Google Ad Grants), and website optimisation, with Broccoli.
4.🌐 Regulatory Changes and Compliance
Problem: Changes in data protection laws, such as GDPR, and other regulatory requirements can complicate the collection and use of donor information, potentially reducing the effectiveness of fundraising efforts.
Solution: Stay updated with regulatory changes and implement robust data management systems to ensure compliance as well as strong fundraising performance.
IG Conf 2024 session to help you:
➡️ Unlock the Full Potential of Your CRM: Strategies for Success
💡Explore actionable strategies tailored to the unique challenges faced by IG fundraisers, including data management, donor retention, personalised communication and regulatory changes.
5. 🥊 Competition
Problem: Competition among charities has never been greater, making it harder to stand out.
Solution: Differentiate your charity by highlighting your unique ‘you’ and your impact. (Plus, you’ll have to look in the right places, too).
IG Conf 2024 session to help you:
➡️ Competition or Collaboration: Finding Relevance To Stand out From the Crowd
💡 Today, standing out requires more than just a compelling message. Discover how to carve a unique identity while leveraging new strategies to amplify your impact. We’ll cover core challenges from donor fatigue to digital disruption.
At Individual Giving Conference 2024, we’re bringing you an afternoon packed with fresh insights, innovative strategies, and practical solutions designed to tackle your biggest challenges.
For the sessions mentioned above and much more, join us to supercharge your IG fundraising strategies!
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
Written by Alex Aggidis
Alex Aggidis is Head of Growth Marketing at Fundraising Everywhere. She leads on brand, creative development, marketing planning and strategy. Alex worked as a fundraiser for over 10 years in the UK charity sector, across Corporates, Major Gifts and Product Innovation, before specialising in Individual Giving. Alex and her Scope team won 3 Gold and 1 Silver DMA awards across 4 separate categories. Alex won a place as a ‘rising star’ to speak at SOFII’s ‘I Wish I Though Of That’ and won 2nd place overall. Before joining Fundraising Everywhere Alex was Interim Head of Individual Giving at Friends of the Earth England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
In 2025 the UK will overhaul its data protection laws. There are many changes (one could actually help you raise more money in the future!).
Firstly, a quick recap:
With the enactment of the Withdrawal Agreement in January 2020, the UK signalled its exit from the EU and entry into a transition period.
During this transition period, all EU laws would continue to apply. The GDPR was no exception. At the end of the transition period in December 2020, only the UK GDPR remained.
What’s changed?
- Post-Brexit, our GDPR is now called the UK GDPR, and works alongside the Data Protection Act 2018.
- The EU has approved data transfers to and from the UK until at least 2025.
- There are some UK-specific tweaks to stay compliant with.
What does this mean for fundraisers?
- Compliance: We need to update our policies and paperwork to meet UK GDPR standards.
- Data transfers: Ensure processes with EU partners comply with the new rules.
- Consent and records: Keeping clear records of consent and data processing will be more crucial than ever.
Upcoming changes for fundraisers:
- Increased scrutiny on how we obtain and record consent.
- Stricter enforcement of data protection laws.
- Focus on collecting only necessary data.
- Third-party contracts and ensuring third-party providers comply with UK GDPR.
Feeling nervous about the upcoming changes? Us too.
That’s why we’ve invited data protection expert, Mark Burnett, CEO of Hope & May to host a free webinar on this very topic this month.
🗓️ Thursday 27th March
⌚ 1 – 2 pm GMT
👆 You can register to attend here
As the UK’s new data protection bill takes it final steps before becoming law, this session will update you on the expected changes and amendments which will impact fundraising and help you prepare for the future.
The webinar will include a live Q&A for your burning questions
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share to help make our sector better. If you would like write and share something, pop an email over to hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
Guest blog post by Sarah Tite
As a One of Many™ certified leadership coach and trainer, Sarah Tite brings together many years of leadership experience with tools and techniques that help people face challenges with confidence. She is Director of Sarah Tite Coaching Ltd.
I don’t have anything to say!
Funny way to start a blog you might think. But maybe not if this is why you haven’t yet taken up the opportunity to try out coaching with the funded session that comes as part of your membership with Fundraising Everywhere.
You may also be telling yourself that…
⏰ I don’t have time.
🎯 I have no big challenge to bring to my session.
😞 I am worried I might get upset.
❓ I don’t know what to expect.
💸 I am going to save my session for something important!
However, they say prevention is better than cure, in fact it is a fundamental principle of modern health care. It’s better to stop something before it happens, instead of having to deal with its consequences after the problem has already happened or the damage already done. And by the way your coach will share with you information about what to expect, and answer any questions you may have.
So, are you ready to talk. Ready to plan for the unexpected?
Not quite yet.
Ok.
Maybe I have made you a little curious about coaching, and how it may be of benefit to you.
Julie, Head of Fundraising was curious and so she booked her funded coaching session with me recently and this is what she said:
“I have always been interested in exploring the benefits of coaching, but I wasn’t quite sure what it would entail. The initial session was the perfect introduction to understanding coaching and gave me a full insight into how it could work for me. I would highly recommend!”
Highly recommended, praise indeed.
What could you expect from your coaching session?
- Different experiences and perspectives to a challenge, problem, or idea.
- Space to pause, to talk, think and explore with someone not involved day to day.
- You may get some new insights and ideas because all the coaching team having worked in the charity sector.
- Maybe now you come to think of it you do have something to say, a challenge to consider and unpick – we are ready to hold a space just for you – what are you waiting for?
When we feel more confident in ourselves, we are better able to deal with conflict, to communicate clearly, take feedback as learning rather than evidence of failure and help create happier workplaces where people can thrive not just survive.
Can I just check that you are not thinking this offer is only for leaders because it says so in the title!
Let me reassure you that leadership is not just a job title, it’s a mind-set too. It’s a way of thinking, behaving, and acting, so in reality you don’t always need a team or a project to lead, you can lead with your ideas, insights, and inspiration to create change and open minds to new ways of thinking.
What we need are people who think, or lead in new ways, with new ways of looking at things to create the change we want to see in this world. I am inviting you to consider that ‘leadership programmes’ like this one: https://www.fundraisingeverywhere.com/confident-charity-leaders/ are not just for those who have leader in their job title!
Are you ready to step into your healthy, happy and harmonious leadership, to focus on what you need to thrive at work, home and beyond then don’t wait until you know what to say because you can be sure that each of the coaching team will help you find your voice!
Let the last word be from a Fundraising Everywhere Member, Hannah who was coached by Judith:
“Judith embodies a transformative force. I’m immensely grateful for the opportunity to participate in coaching. Thanks to Judith’s guidance and expertise, I was able to pause and gain a broader understanding of my goals. Her motivation and encouragement have truly been invaluable on my journey towards achieving my personal and professional goals.”
Voice Your Thoughts 🗣️
Our platform is open to anyone and everyone in the sector that has an opinion, idea, or resource they would like to share. If you would like write and share something, email hello@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.
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