Places are still
available at our free fundraising surgeries in Hatfield
later this month. Learn more for free from Midas
experts in trust, major donor and statutory
fundraising.
See below or visit the Midas website.
This month, Alan Hammond, a partner in
Hammond Associates and an advisor on legacy fundraising
to a number of charities, gives us his view on changing
attitudes in the sector and building a robust core
funding income stream from this oldest form of
philanthropy.
Legacy fundraising
Much has been written about the most effective
techniques to bring legacies on board. However, before
you even begin to think about legacy brochures, free
Will schemes, legacy campaign strap lines and so on, you
should first consider your own attitude towards
prospective legators. Many legacy campaigns fall at the
first fence because their promoters’ underlying approach
to the whole business of soliciting legacies is not
entirely positive. Make sure this doesn’t spoil your own
legacy promotional activities. Consider the following:
Don’t be shy. Some fundraisers are diffident about
mentioning Wills and legacies for fear of offending
people by reminding them that one day they will die.
Whereas, of course prospective legators, like any other
adults, are already perfectly well aware of their own
mortality. And anyway, the legator’s death is not the
main issue.
Legacy fundraising is not about death. The main
issue is the contribution a legator could make to the
living by leaving a legacy to your charity. Some
fundraisers, CEO and trustees have misconceptions about
legacy fundraising, that it means saying to people:
“Excuse me but when you’re dead, can we have some of
your money, please?” The reality is that you say to
them, “This is our charity – look what we’re doing. We
really need your help – and by the way have you
considered giving that help in the form of a legacy?”
Five
reasons for people to consider leaving a legacy to your
charity:
-
Because yours is a cause with which they are in
sympathy (If this is not the case, then you have not
done your job effectively).
-
Because it is the only way they can provide
financial help for your charity at the level they
would really like.
-
Because writing a legacy into their Will is the only
method of giving which means they can wake up the
next morning and find their bank balance is still
the same.
-
Because a legacy to charity is exempt from
Inheritance Tax.
-
Because they will have the satisfaction of knowing
that after their death, their hard earned assets
will contribute towards a better world.
Remember – it is
your attitude to legacy fundraising which most
influences others..
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Dates for the Diary
30th April 2.00 – 7.00 pm. Hertfordshire
Community Foundation Twentieth Anniversary Event and
Free Fundraising Surgeries, Hatfield, Herts.
Midas is one of the sponsors of the twentieth
anniversary celebrations of the Hertfordshire Community
Foundation. Community Foundations are a vital cog in
the wheel of funding local, regional and community
groups across the UK, and Midas colleagues have worked
with the Hertfordshire Community Foundation over many
years securing grants for its clients in Hertfordshire.
As part of the celebrations, Midas will be offering free
fundraising surgeries to charities in Hertfordshire.
The surgeries will take place on the 30th
April between 2.00 and 7.00 pm. To enquire or make a
booking please contact Catherine Farrell:
catherinefarrell@midasappeals.org.uk
21st May – Outcomes Monitoring and IT
conference, London
This conference - jointly hosted by M & E Consulting,
preponderate. network and Charities Evaluation Services
– aims to explore the issues around purchasing and
developing IT systems that support effective monitoring
and evaluation of outcomes. Rates range from £85 - £175
depending on the size of your charity. For more details
or to book a place, visit
www.outcomesandit.org.uk
or contact
Shafiq@ces-vol.org.uk
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Vacancies
 |
Thyroid
UK is looking for three new trustees |
Thyroid UK is a charitable company managed by a small
group of committed trustees who have personal experience
of thyroid disease and who are focused on campaigning
for better diagnosis and treatment of thyroid and
related disorders. The organisation is now at a key
stage of growth but they need more help. Thyroid UK is
looking for motivated, skilled and committed individuals
to further strengthen the board of trustees and who can
contribute effectively to strategic direction, practical
issues and setting overall policy. They are
particularly keen to find a treasurer, fundraiser and a
marketing officer.
If you are interested in becoming a Trustee of Thyroid
UK please contact the Chief Executive, Lyn Mynott on
01255 820407 or write to her at 32, Darcy Road, St Osyth,
Clacton on Sea, Essex CO16 8QF or email
enquiries@thyroiduk.org
 |
Experienced fundraising volunteers wanted |
The Thai Children’s Trust (previously the Pattaya
Orphanage Trust) is a long-standing Midas client and
raises money to help children in Thailand who are
homeless, under-privileged and disabled. The trust
supports services including a home for street children,
a drop-in centre for street children, a day care centre,
a school for blind children and a vocational training
college for disabled young adults. Mike Lancaster, an
early retired English fundraiser who lives in Bangkok is
helping. He would welcome experienced volunteers to go
out to Thailand for a month or so to work alongside Thai
fundraising staff and assist in their training. All
skills needed, but direct marketing, collections and
corporate fundraising are immediately relevant.
Volunteers need to pay for their airfare. The trust will
provide accommodation. Mike is in the UK until the end
of April. Contact him on 07885 377507 or email him at
mikelancaster@mtlltd.co.uk. |
