Introduction to Charity Fundraising

These are the building blocks of fundraising. If you follow them you’ll stand a much great chance of success.

1. Make a case for support

Be really clear about what it is you’re fundraising for. Many organisations will call this their case for support and this is the document where you’re setting out your vision and exactly what you need the money for. A really helpful starting point for this is to ask yourself the question: what would happen if we weren’t here? If you can answer that, then you can answer why you need the money.

2. Build your prospect pipeline

This is a list of all the people that you think might wish to support you. The best way of doing this is by looking at your existing and previous supporters, and then build your list from there. Speak to your senior management team, your trustees, and the people connected to your organisation because these people will know others who may wish to support your cause.

3. Let funders feel connected to the cause

Don’t forget that this process is about people, and people giving to people. Your donors are the lifeblood of the organisation. They have a vested interest in making sure that you’re successful. They’ll want to know when things are going well. They’ll also want to know when things aren’t going so well. There might be ways in which they can help.

Crucially, don’t be afraid to keep asking. Once somebody has given to you, ask again. Many philanthropists will want to build a long term relationship with you. They will want to walk side by side with you on the same journey, and they are likely to want to give many times over many years. So, don’t be afraid to keep saying thank you. No matter what you might read or hear there isn’t an optimum number of times you should express gratitude: say thank you every time you see that person, and mean it.

The bottom line is that it’s all about resilience and self belief. If you do the right things in the right order as many times as you possibly can you are going to be successful. There will be times when you will hear ‘no’, and get rejections, and it’s easy to take it personally. The best strategy is always to pick yourself up and you go through the process again. If you keep doing that, you will be successful.

For further Information on Fundraising please click on these links below and don’t hesitate to contact Inspiring Scotland direct.

SCVO

• https://fundingscotland.com/
• www.getgrants.org.uk

Edinburgh City Council

• https://www.idoxopen4community.co.uk/edinburgh/Search?bcr=MTIzNA

For further Information on Income please click on these links below and don’t hesitate to contact Inspiring Scotland direct

https://www.socialenterprise.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Why_Social_Enterprise_1.pdf