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.
SOFII’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 moreDo it yourself fundraising
by Marc Pitman
Start-up nonprofits often ask me, ‘How do we raise money?’. The panic of making budget seems to make raising money impossible without knowing someone rich and famous like Bill Gates or Warren Buffet.
Read moreMorinville and District Hands Across the Seas (HATS) ‘delightful treasures’ event
by SOFII
Small local events often raise small amounts of money. But if there are hundreds nationally, or even internationally, they have the potential to raise thousands.
Read moreGoonj..: dignity through recycled clothing
by SOFII
Collecting clothing for distribution or resale is one of the most ancient and venerable of charitable activities. The charity gift, or thrift, shop concept is built upon it. So SOFII is delighted to honour this enterprising initiative from Goonj.., the first organisation in India to address the issue of decent clothing.
Read moreGoderich medical clinic campaign
by SOFII
A really lovely appeal, which shows that it pays to have a couple of direct mail professionals living in your town. In this case, holiday residents Mary Attfield and Steve Thomas set about organising a simple but effective local appeal to make sure local people could have access to their own doctors.
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