We have just released the latest update for SubscriberCRM.
For generations, schools have engaged in ad hoc fundraising activities in order to boost their coffers. This good tradition is usually epitomised by the summer fair and its stalls of grubbily iced fairy cakes, Santa's grotto at Christmas and the obligatory school leaver's tea towel for year six parents. However, over the past couple of decades, school fundraising has become more professional, more streamlined, and more capable of raising serious cash to further the school's developmental goals.
The proposed Fundraising Preference Scheme has been a hot topic of discussion among fundraisers across the charitable sector, and is now the subject of a paper produced by the Charity Commission working group tasked to consider the subject. The proposals have met with a mixed reception from fundraisers and, if implemented, will certainly affect the way supporter data is managed and fundraising campaigns are conducted. There is currently a consultation running on the details of the scheme until 31st March 2016. This blog briefly goes into the details of the proposals and how fundraising professionals may have to respond to its challenges.
As fundraisers, we spend a lot of time thinking about reasons why a supporter would donate to our cause. Hundreds of hours of love, care and attention are poured into passionately expressing your charities vision, creating powerful adverts and compelling campaign appeals. Focusing on the core messages of your charity and how they relate to your target donors is the best way of securing new support. However, in order to secure that crucial second donation, or to convert ad hoc supporters into regular donors, we need to understand the reasons why donors stop giving.
At the beginning of 2016 there were 3.3 million registered limited companies in the UK. A good proportion of these companies, from the large national brand names to local micro-businesses, have charitable interests and budget to spend on fundraising partnerships – but currently only 2% of the charity sector’s fundraising income comes from businesses. Clearly there is room for growth, and a report from Good Values in 2015 indicated that 95% of fundraisers are optimistic about the potential from the corporate market. However, competition is fierce, relationships take time to nurture and securing a partnership can be hard work.
We have just released the latest update for Subscriber.
Persuasion is the key where the goal is to get donations. But what happens if your potential donors start having objections? The good news is there is a way to overcome them. However, first and foremost, it’s important to understand your role in the process, as well as remember it during your fundraising pitch. The latter may sound strange, but it’s true that anything can happen during a pitch that can cause focus to be lost.
Although your charity, like so many others may receive large gifts from major donors, you likely also receive a large amount of your donations from those who are donating smaller amounts. And these smaller amounts are just as important as larger contributions. After all, a donor is a donor, regardless of the size of their gift. And, as they say, ‘it all adds up’.
The purchase, installation and implementation of a CRM system is only the beginning. Once your system is up and running, you are able to gather multiple types of data from a number of sources, but what do you do with it all? The results you receive from your fundraising CRM are directly dependent on fine-tuning your handling and processing of the data you’ve entered, as well as ensuring your staff are trained to work with the system.
In addition to helping charities manage donor contacts, CRM software for charities can also be used as a full membership solution, allowing for the management of crucial tasks like donor subscription management. Indeed, virtually all aspects of subscription management can be effectively handled within the CRM.