Trusts and Major Donors Conference December 12th 2024 12pm - 4pm GMT online Fundraising Everywhere

Caroline is a Director for LarkOwl, a consultancy specialising in high value fundraising and commercial income for charities and non-profits. Since setting up her own in 2016, Caroline has raised over £4 million for a variety of capital appeals and has provided strategic advice to several charities in the health, hospice, environment, arts, heritage and policy sectors.

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?!

18 pictures of speakers from Fundraising Everywhere's Trusts and Major Donors Conference 2024

I am especially excited to learn how:

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.

Buble Approves Gif

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 nori@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?

➡️ Download the report here.

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 nori@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?

➡️ Download the report here.

 

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 nori@fundraisingeverywhere.com and we will support you every step of the way to share your voice.