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.
Home for Hope: using IKEA furniture displays to advertise homeless dogs
by SOFII
Small organisations simply don’t have the budget to promote their cause and have to come up with innovative solutions. This inventive campaign in Singapore started with Home for Hope with help from IKEA and demonstrated how you can make your house a home by adopting a dog.
Read moreSouthend Hospital: bosom pals appeal
by SOFII
Feeing like all the fun’s gone out of your fundraising? Worried that your supporters may not be biting your arm off to undertake another gruelling run to raise money? This exhibit shows how smaller charities can inspire people to join their cause with little more than some imaginative ideas.
Read moreAll Saints and St Andrew’s Church, UK: parachuting teddy bears
by SOFII
Is this the world’s first teddy bear parachute jump? The basic idea is not only appealing, it was easy to organise, cost almost nothing and is easily copied.
Read moreAdvantage Africa: Christmas gift wrapping offer
by SOFII
Your volunteers can be powerful donors for your cause. Advantage Africa uses the simple service of offering a Christmas gift-wrapping service in a local shopping centre that raises a substantial amount of money for their work in Kenya and Uganda. This is an idea that could be adapted to raise money all over the world.
Read moreThe Owl and Monkey Haven: appeal for two lonely capuchins, Martin and Lulu
by SOFII
This appeal for the happiness of Martin and Lulu, two lonely capuchin monkeys is charming, honest, urgent and authentic. It captured the attention of supporters across the UK and beyond and is an example of fantastic storytelling without forgetting the ‘ask’.
Read moreCreating Better Futures: ‘name the bear– every child has a name’ competition
by SOFII
How a tiny organisation with a turnover of only £16,000 is raising money to educate orphans in Zimbabwe.
Read moreS.A.L.V.E International: Motorbike May appeal
by SOFII
A simple idea that any small charity could try. This small but mighty appeal helped a small organisation share stories of the impact they have and raise money for something that they urgently needed – a motorbike.
Read moreSaint Demetrios: Greek festival
by SOFII
Each year St Demetrios Greek Orthodox church in Seattle, USA traditional festival is run entirely by volunteers - including some excellent fundraising.
Read moreAching Arms: teddy bears member-get-member scheme
by SOFII
The story that was voted best of all at SOFII’s 2013 Once Upon I Wish I'd Thought of That event.
Read moreOperation Christmas Child: the shoebox appeal
by SOFII
This festive exhibit is a wonderful example of how one person’s idea (and a lot of help from volunteers) can really make a difference. Operation Christmas Child has maintained constant success over the past 20 years.
Read moreSOFII’s small charity showcase
by Ken Burnett
The Foundation for Social Improvement (FSI) helps small charities by sharing knowledge, expertise and experience. Upwards of 1,500 charities are helped each year, not one of them with a turnover above £1.5 million and most raising considerably less. SOFII believes we should celebrate small charities more than we do so, together with FSI, has started this showcase with the aim of levelling the playing field, or even to get the ground sloping just a little in the small charity’s direction.
Read moreThe National Autistic Society: borrowed ideas can be free and effective
by Carolyne Coupel
Carolyne Coupel of The National Autistic Society in the UK has a very small budget, but it’s not a problem because, as she says, she has SOFII, where she finds her ideas.
Read more
