Digital fundraising advice from charities to charities

Author: Harry Pearce

Charities are in a transitional period of digital growth. We understand that in the ever-evolving world of fundraising, trying new things can be intimidating. So we’ve compiled this advice FROM charities TO charities.

Georgina Brookes, DKMS Community and Events Fundraising Manager

“My advice to charities would be to use all the insight and data you can to inform and improve your next campaign.”

DKMS Success Story

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Jason Suclkley, CEO of Make a Wish

“The fundamentals don’t change depending on the scale of the supporter, and that’s where technology has to come in. There’s a certain point where you’ve got to bring technology much more into it in order for that supporter to really believe that actually we have your distinction. We are interested in helping you. We understand you. We have your best interests at heart. That’s doable remotely, obviously just in a different way.”

“I’m interested in the power of brilliant user experiences. I think I think that fundamentally that’s what technology businesses are built upon, and I think that’s what organisations that utilise technology well get right.”

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Georgia Oliver, Senior Special Events Officer at SSAFA the Armed Forces charity

“You make it as interactive as you can because nowadays you see [QR codes] everywhere. But I think if you’ve got a more interactive or visual poster that they’re on, it’s more intriguing to want to scan your phone against the QR code, and I think if you can also make the digital side of it – the page that the supporter would enter – as visually fun and exciting as you can as well, it keeps the momentum up. Go crazy with your visuals and your information. “

SSAFA’s fundraising evolution

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Jo Miles, former Individual Giving and Future Gifts Fundraiser at RNRMC

“If people are willing to embrace this cashless fundraising, as they should be, then they need to try new things, and try and develop on what they’ve got at the moment. What’s the harm in trying?”

More RNRMC advice

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Emma Rose, Head of Charity at Good Thyngs

“Something I’ve said to every charity I’ve worked with is whether your audience is the donor, fundraiser or a member of staff, the most important thing is to build a really great relationship, because if people like you, they’ll naturally want to do more for you. You matter more. I think that is absolute basics.

In terms of charities, you can’t just send an e-mail that says thanks for your donation/thanks for fundraising. It’s not good enough. You need to get to know people, if they like you and really understand your cause, they will do more.

Ultimately charities need to build relationships.

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Heather Lynn, former DKMS Director of Fundraising US & Global Special Events

“My supervisor was overwhelmed by how easy it was to donate. A lot of people DKMS work with externally are important chairpeople, and they were congratulatory and happy. The positivity was a big confidence boost for DKMS. Before the event, there was so much pressure from stakeholders. Knowing we had this system in place was very comforting to them. Donors got in touch over the phone or by text to give feedback afterwards.”