
“This is not a time for pessimism. Charity giving is alive & kicking.” My notes from CIOF’s #FirstThursday on Community Fundraising
Is the glass half empty or half full when it comes to community events fundraising and how it has responded to the pandemic? What are the lesson to be learned from lockdown?
Here are my notes from the recent #FirstThursday event. As ever, you can read what I gleaned from the excellent presentations by Sarah Goddard, Clara Gill, Sean Forshaw and Leah Lewis.
I'm at the #FirstThursday panel discussion organised by CIOF SE and London. 1st up is Clara on Marie Curie's pandemic response: "We hit the phones, talked about the hole, and what we were doing to fill it. Raised over £7M"
They organised a wide range of successful virtual events, but the most fabulous and innovative ideas came from their own supporters!
"Now listen up... it's young people who are most energised to give. This is not a time for pessimism. Charity giving is alive & kicking. There is still money out there & a propensity to give. We have people/animals relying on us to make a difference."
Top tips from Leah Lewis: Learn from others
Don't be afraid to ask peers questions
Don't be a sheep, be a shepherd
What works for another charity might not work for you
Nothing happens overnight. The work you're doing will have impact in months to come!
Focus on groups that you know will still go ahead, eg student fundraising
Be aware, reactive and sensitive
Be clear in calls how Covid has affected the org
Seasonal fundraising ideas
Be forgiving with