Project Design for Fundraisers
As trust fundraisers, we rarely have control over the design or delivery of the projects/services for which we are raising necessary income. Nevertheless, we still need to gather as much information as we can to complete our proposals and applications so they make sense and are an inviting opportunity for funders in which to invest.
Does your Case for Support pass the Why? test?
It used to be the natural thing for us to question everything – we asked why? all the time. Over time we’ve stopped doing that so much – we know more, we don’t ask as much. Asking “yeah, but why?” about your fundraising proposition is a good test of whether you’ve arrived at the nub of the issue yet… and if you can’t answer the whys that you come up with you won’t be answering the whys of your audience.
Achieving balance: foundations of fundraising resilience
Regardless of your fundraising specialty, here are some tips from Money Tree Fundraising to help build, or rebuild, your fundraising resilience.
We don’t work on commission
We do not work on a commission basis.
Nor do any fundraisers who follow the Fundraising Code of Practice as laid out by the Fundraising Regulator.
Lessons from a seasoned freelance fundraiser
Having been self-employed since late 2010, Beth Upton has ten top tips for anyone considering the freelance lifestyle, all drawn from her experience over the years.
Thank. Your. Donors.
Say thank you. Regardless of what the donor says. And listen hard for what the donor means when they say “no need to thank me” in case they mean “don’t make a fuss” or “don’t tell people” but would love for you to say thank you!
Failure to ask: a cautionary tale
I took a brief sabbatical at the end of 2015 – two months to step away from my life and experience some very different places, cultures, lifestyles. The trip was planned around a volunteering project where I’d get to ethically hangout with my all time top favourite animal (don’t tell my dog) – the elephant.
How you can judge a major donor programme by a cup of tea
As a high value fundraising consultant I get to meet a lot of great fundraisers and a few not so good if the truth be told. Over the years I’ve got better at assessing early on whether a major donor programme is likely to be successful.
Sample and Template Policies for Third Sector Organisations
Needing to create or improve your organisation’s policies and governance for your fundraising toolkit? Have a look at these free resources, samples and templates on the internet.
Research – how to find the gold
For some people it is a most enjoyable exercise whilst for others it can be torturous. Either way, it is integral to a successful trust fundraising programme.
Quick turn-around, make-or-break trust fundraising
We’ve all had an urgent request for quick turnaround funding from trusts to keep our organisations solvent or our projects running. It can put dread in the hearts of even experienced and successful trust fundraisers – especially when, except in rare circumstances, it can be avoided.
A Recipe for the ‘Perfect’ Grant Application
The thing is, the ‘perfect’ grant application isn’t an easy recipe. At any point a myriad of elements – guidelines, project design, deadlines and budgets – can alter your plans the same way a missing ingredient can affect your baking.
How do you define a major gift?
Here at Money Tree Fundraising, one of the most common questions that we get asked is ‘How do you define a major gift?’, with our clients expecting us to state a fixed sum for them. Others come to us with their own pre-determined definitions and there is huge disparity between their answers.
Trust Fundraising Myths Debunked
We speak to charities every day about fundraising from trusts & foundations. There are some key themes that emerge time and again – misunderstandings about grant-makers, their purpose, their requirements – and we want to set the record straight by airing these trust fundraising myths and explaining the truth instead.
Engaging major donors well
Major donor fundraising is not as tricky as you might think and it is the one way of fundraising that works regardless of your organisation’s size or cause area and it can be set up on a shoestring budget – as long as it done well. There is no charity that can afford to not consider this area of fundraising.
Are you taking advantage of High Value Fundraising?
Our CEO Beth Upton has worked in fundraising since 2002 and is regularly frustrated by the income opportunities not being taken advantage of by charities, large and small.
Trust Fundraising: A £4 Billion Opportunity
In the UK, close to 10,000 charitable trusts grant over £4 billion per year to good causes. Many organisations have found that this can be a reliable and steady stream of income.
Hiring the right fundraiser for the job
The single biggest mistake I see from those recruiting for high value roles is the mistake of choosing the best person of those who came for interview rather than holding out for the person with the right skills, attributes and experience.