The Covid19 pandemic created an unprecedented set of challenges for fundraisers throughout 2020 and into 2021. I’ve been helping charities and other organisations to raise money for over 25 years and haven’t experienced anything quite like this.

On the other hand, my time and experience working for the voluntary sector has allowed me to put things into perspective, to remind myself that the fundraising environment has been through difficult periods before and to spot the green shoots that are emerging.

To encourage anyone who is currently fundraising, or plans to, I want to share some of the lessons I’ve learned over my career about getting through the tough times and preparing for the light that inevitably appears at the end of any tunnel.

Time to adapt

The demand on charities is greater than ever, yet the impact of the pandemic has meant that many have been unable to generate the same level of funds from their existing operations. ‘In-person’ fundraising events have not been possible and charity shops haven’t been allowed to open, resulting in many organisations firefighting over the past 12 months.

2021 has shown that returning to normal will be gradual, and even then, it may not be the ‘normal’ we were used to before the pandemic. For those who are fundraising, this means that there’s no longer any point to waiting until we can get back to the way we used to work. Fundraising needs to adapt.

Firstly, it’s time to get creative; there are some great examples of how popular fundraising events have adapted to the restrictions of lockdown. The London Marathon and the McMillan Coffee Morning have gone virtual, and some retail charity shops have embraced going digital to continue connecting with customers.

Some tips on fundraising in difficult times

Whether you have adapted what you currently do, or you’re trying out a new approach, opportunities exist to raise money for your cause. Here are some useful tips:

• Consider how your fundraising operations can be adapted to use existing technology so that they can continue even if social-distancing regulations change. For example, the London Marathon ran its 40th annual race virtually in 2020, with participants being invited to complete the 26-mile course anywhere in the world on the same day, and the Bone Cancer Research Trust’s Lifeshavers  campaign gives supporters a way to raise money using online media.
• Continue looking to individuals and businesses for funding opportunities. Using online communication platforms such as Zoom will allow you to continue with virtual face-to-face meetings.
• Make applications to grant-making trusts now. There will be lots of competition for available grants, but they are still worth applying for, so do it early and avoid missing out.
• Develop your legacy campaign. You already have a valuable source of income from existing supporters so encourage them to remember your campaign in their wills.
• Apply for some of the Covid-19 financial support the Government is making available to charities: for instance, we recently helped one of our client charities to access a large grant from the National Lottery-funded Coronavirus Community Support Fund.

Now is also a good time to take stock of all your successes and look for opportunities to build on them, perhaps by adapting proven approaches to current times?

Review your needs, resources and targets, and plan for the future; chances are, the plans you currently have didn’t account for a global pandemic and you need to revaluate them.

Finally, ensure that you are ready for a post-lockdown world by doing your business housekeeping, updating your databases and ensuring you are up to date with regulations, such as GDPR. Lockdown measures are easing fast and once we’re free to get on with our lives and business, you should be ready to hit the ground running.

Why work with Stefan Lipa Consultancy

If all of this seems daunting, my team at Stefan Lipa have developed a wealth of experience as consultants advising organisations of all sizes and in all sectors. We can support you in key areas to build upon your fundraising abilities, particularly during challenging times. We help our clients to:

• Celebrate their successes and build upon them for the future
• Review needs for targeted actions
• Transform funding worries into a positive fundraising roadmap
• Set targets to focus efforts
• Optimise support from current backers, including reviewing supporter databases and communications with them
• Find new support from individuals, business, grant-making trusts, and other grant-making bodies.

Prepare for the new future

Whatever your circumstances, now is the time to prepare for a post-lockdown world. Realizing that we all need to adapt to the new normal will ensure that we emerge better prepared for the future, transitioning from survival mode into thriving mode.

28.04.2021

For more information, call us on 01264 860003 or send an email.