Small charities
There is some debate around what constitutes a ‘small charity’. Many would consider a small charity to be any organisation with a turnover of less than £1 million, while others would say less than £25,000. However, while others debate those details, in this showcase you can find examples of smaller organisations that have excelled in fundraising. You will also discover handy tips and articles that might be useful if you work in a small charity yourself.
We are always looking for more inspiration for this showcase, so if you know of a small charity that has a fundraising success story to share, please let us know.
I just did my first round of grant assessing – here’s what I learned

by Vic Hancock Fell
After years of fundraising for small charities, Vic Hancock Fell found herself on the other side of the process – assessing grant applications. Find out what Vic learned and what changes she’ll make when she writes her next application for a trust or foundation.
Read moreLar da Menina: ‘Blessed Beetle’ raffle

by João Paulo Vergueiro
Meet the wonderful fundraising nuns of Lar da Menina in Brazil, and pick up some tips from their unique and very successful ‘Blessed Beetle’ raffle.
Read moreThe Great Bungay Duck Race: Virtual success in 2020

by Joe Burnett
How one small charity in rural England had to innovate and try out new ideas to ensure their event went ahead. When coronavirus forced them to go virtual, they did in style.
Read moreBluefrog Fundraising’s free resources for creating a coronavirus appeal

by Mark Phillips
During uncertain times it’s refreshing to find that people are offering help to fundraisers and charities who may be affected by the coronavirus outbreak. One such hero is Mark Phillips of UK agency Bluefrog Fundraising, who provides much-needed support, advice and useful templates in this excellent blog post.
Read moreHow Save the Dogs used a founder’s birthday for fundraising success
by Veronica Parise
Discover the multi-channel campaign that helped an Italian charity raise enough money to build a shelter for stray dogs.
Read moreShine: virtual balloon races

by John Grain
What do you do if your well-established fundraising strategy is having a negative impact on the environment, even if it’s popular? Shine, a small charity, made the smart and innovative decision to take their balloon races online – with spectacular results.
Read moreKiKa's story: how a small charity gained success through donor engagement
by Joe Burnett
A small Dutch charity shows the way in event fundraising and donor relations.
Read moreAbortion Support Network: ‘Why do you support ASN?’

by Damian O’Broin
By asking a simple question of their donors and sharing the responses in later communications, a small Irish charity provided inspiration for all fundraisers.
Bluebell Wood's Soapbox Derby 2016

by Joe Burnett
With their first Soapbox Derby, Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice smashed their fundraising target with a fun and thrilling public event.
Meet Nana Murphy: lessons in donor care from Merchants Quay Ireland

by SOFII
This inspirational case study celebrates the incredible work of Merchants Quay Ireland’s fantastic fundraising team. They transformed the fortunes of this small charity, multiplied its revenue more than tenfold, and provided essential assistance to people experiencing homelessness.
Read moreCDE project 23: small charities

by The Commission on the Donor Experience
This project is intended to give a starting point to allow any charity with limited resources to easily look at some of the most important parts of the output and to suggest some of the areas where charities with small or sole fundraisers might look at interpreting some of the output’s recommendations. It is not intended to replace reading and interpreting each project.
Read moreCDE project 23: part 1 - project 1 - 6

by The Commission on the Donor Experience
1. The use and misuse of language
2. Fundraising and vulnerability
3. Satisfaction and Commitment
4. Thank you and welcome
5. The supporter's journey
6. The use and misuse of emotion
Read more