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This
month, Midas’s Roger Holden gives us his take on how
corporate fundraising should never be pigeonholed…
A
brave new world?
As everyone knows charity income is being hit hard by
the economic downturn and - it is suggested by the
so-called experts - corporate fundraising most of all.
Corporate income contributes a paltry 1-3% of the total
voluntary income so perhaps this doesn’t much matter.
However indirectly it makes a bigger contribution.
Most people understand corporate fundraising in terms of
Charity of the Year, Cause Related Marketing, affinity
marketing deals, gifts in kind, trusts/foundations and
volunteering. The larger charities seemed to get the
lion’s share – though there are enough examples of much
smaller charities doing exceptionally well in these
areas. However many charities, even very small ones,
are involved in some form of corporate engagement. A
captain of industry is a potential major donor; could be
sitting on the board of a trust or supporting a
fundraising event. Whichever way one looks at it,
there’s the possibility of a corporate connection.
These disciplines are viewed as separate functions with
their own income/expenditure lines and often compete
with each other. Information, knowledge, experience and
charity resources are parcelled in different silos.
However, the inter-disciplinary nature of corporate
fundraising offers a link between them. This could be
called business development. Business development is a
frame of mind: seeing the opportunities, hatching plans,
looking for points of differentiation from other
charities, maximising networks and channels to market.
People in business development tend to look for
potential in what could happen.
Smaller charities are well placed to take advantage of
this attitude of mind. They often have a strong
organisational vision, allied to good personal networks,
the ability to grasp opportunities and act quickly.
These organisations have their share of single-minded
individuals. They sometimes have already good corporate
links through individual supporters.
It isn’t easy cultivating business development
opportunities when there is so little time and people
are already experts in multi-tasking. This is the time
to identify employees within the organisation who could
help. Give these individuals encouragement in exchange
for their insights and ideas. Set a clear brief: listen,
support and facilitate action. There is always the risk
of failure but in the current climate, doing nothing and
battening down the hatches is potentially a more
dangerous strategy.
The consultancy route is well suited to this approach.
Midas has a wealth in formulating ideas and using a
variety of disciplines to find funding –within an agreed
time and giving the charity additional capacity.
Implementing new ideas shouldn’t be expensive. The best
(and most cost effective) are often the simplest. In
any event, it is important to develop a business plan
with projected costs and income.
There is no point pretending that any of this offers
guarantees for the future: all of us are living through
a period of uncertainty. But adopting a more
entrepreneurial business development turn of mind and
reviewing received wisdoms must be as good an option as
any for generating income in the future.
To contact
Roger email him at
rogerholden@midasappeals.org.uk
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Application Check
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If you are in the process of preparing a concept
note or an outline application to a funder or
you already have been successful at the first
stage and are now preparing your full
application and feel you need an expert eye to
improve the quality of your application, now is
the right time to consider using Midas Charity
Appeals’ application check service.
Fabienne Poulet, one of the Midas partners, has
been working successfully with a range of
international development, social welfare,
health and environmental organisation and
projects to help them to improve the
consistency, clarity and appeal of their major
grant applications, budgets and logical
frameworks. |
Application check takes between 1 and 6 days depending
on the length and complexity of the application. It
always results in an application that more closely fits
the funder’s priorities and more effectively
communicates your project’s objectives and activities.
Contact
fabiennepoulet@midasappeals.org.uk
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Dates for the diary
Midas in
Hove on 18th June
Three local firms of
accountants, solicitors and advisors join Midas to pool
advice for charities on how to tackle the downturn in
voluntary giving at a free seminar in Hove on June 18th
6.15-8pm. There is an opportunity for a one-to-one
on specific fundraising issues with Fabienne Poulet,
Midas partner or Ian Kerr, Midas founder. A light
buffet, drinks and opportunities for networking will be
provided. Further details from Ian Kerr at
iankerr@midasappeals.org.uk
Afghanistan from the Inside on
2 July 2009 at 7 pm at the Royal Geographical Society,
Kensington Gore, London SW7 2AR
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The BBC’s George Alagiah interviews Christina
Lamb, Foreign Correspondent of the Year 2007.
This fundraising event and book signing in aid
of BookPower will offer rare
insights from an acknowledged expert on
Afghanistan, with long inside knowledge of this
lawless, violent land.
Entry £20 (includes £15 donation to the
charity). For further details visit
www.bookpower.org/latest.htm
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Vacancies
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Chair
and Trustees |
POWER International is a small charity with a wide
reach, working in Mozambique, Zambia and Laos supporting
disabled people and their organisations to improve their
life choices and opportunities. They are seeking to
appoint a number of Trustees, including
a new Chairperson, to provide strategic advice and
specialist input.
Preferred candidates will have strengths in one of the
following areas: management leadership; major donor
initiatives in the UK; overseeing projects overseas. The
charity especially welcomes applicants with an
understanding of disability and needs in developing
countries. Interested applicants should email Sarah
Hodge in the first instance, supplying their CV, to
sarah@powerinternational.org
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Director at the A -T Society, Harpenden, Herts. Salary £40,000 |
The A -T Society was established 20 years ago to meet
the needs of those suffering from the rare neurological
disorder Ataxia-Telangiectasia. From a standing start
the Society has become a national charity supporting
medical research, disseminating information and
providing equipment necessary for the day-to-day living
with a severe disability. The Society funds two
specialist clinics, employs a dedicated Family Support
Worker and enjoys the support of committed voluntary
fundraisers throughout the U.K. The post holder will be
responsible for all aspects of strategic planning and
day-to-day management as well as fundraising. The
closing date for applications is Monday May 25th. To
apply please send a CV and a letter explaining the
reasons for your interest to
atsociety@btconnect.com |
