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.
Shine: 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 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 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 moreCDE project 23: part 2 - project 7 - 10
by The Commission on the Donor Experience
7. Companies
8. Trusts and foundations
9. Major donors
10. Legacies
Read moreCDE project 23: part 3 - project 11
by The Commission on the Donor Experience
11. Communication with individual donors
11a. Mass Media
11b. Direct Mail
11c. Digital
11d. Community fundraising
11e. Telephone fundraising
11f. Face to face fundraising
Read moreCDE project 23: part 4 - project 12 - 17
by The Commission on the Donor Experience
12. Inspirational creativity
13. Giving choices and managing preferences
14. Getting the right people as fundraisers
15. The role of trustee boards and senior management
16. A distinctive service culture
17. Leadership
Read moreCDE project 23: part 5 - project 18 - 22
by The Commission on the Donor Experience
18. Supporters as advocates
19. Evidence of impact and effectiveness
20. Fundraising investment
21. Working with suppliers
22. Media relations and the public face of charities
Read moreCDE project 23: part 6 - list of contributors
by The Commission on the Donor Experience
A very special thanks to the following individuals who volunteered their time to review and present the observations and recommendations in this project.
Read moreOne Girl: Do It In A Dress
by Lizzi Hollis
Dresstastic challenge event from Australia that allows volunteers to use their creative fundraising juices and have fun.
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