Putting a face to the numbers: using qualitative research in fundraising, communications and impact demonstration

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

Last week (w/c 1st March 2010) the London Evening Standard ran a series of stories called ‘the Dispossessed’, highlighting the almost unfathomable gulf that exists between the wealthiest and poorest of London’s residents.  I wouldn’t typically hold the paper up as a paragon of journalistic or literary excellence. However, reader responses to the Standard’s campaign last week highlighted some important messages for charities to sit up and take notice of.

How can the next government and the sector increase the size of the fundraising cake?

Submitted by Joe Saxton on

Over the last twelve years we have seen one really good initiative to raise donated income for charities, and a lot of inconclusive enigmas. The really good initiative was Gift Aid, and the half-hearted, short-lived enigmas form a short but depressing list: the Giving and Philanthropy Centre, share giving, the Giving Campaign, a charity ‘Tsar’, and the Beacon Fellowships. Have I missed any?

Gift aid and small charities

Submitted by Joe Saxton on

Nestled in a valley on the edge of the Cotswolds is a playground for disabled children. For the families who use its three acres, it is a place of refuge and escape. It is a place where disabled children and their families can enjoy the countryside and a playground without the looks of disapproving parents or the taunts of thoughtless children.

High fundraising standards deemed top “driver” of public trust in charities

Submitted by Madelyn Dorsey on
  • Direct “personal contact” and having a “long-established brand” adjudged next most trust-inducing attributes.
  • “Charities should learn from the mistakes of MPs and act on raising standards now”, vies nfpSynergy’s Baker 

Amidst a recent plethora of negative fundraising stories in the media, having “high fundraising standards” (46%), having made “personal contact” (39%) and possessing a “long-established brand” (38%) are the top three prompted “drivers” the public say makes them most likely to trust a charity, according to

Why do fundraisers leave their brains at the door when they go online?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on

I can still remember the first fundraising appeal that moved me. I can remember where I was when I opened it and I can remember what it said. It was an appeal from the Head of Emergencies in Oxfam at Christmas 1987. He described the emotional and moral challenges of going to visit emergency situations, where children died in his arms, and then returning home to face the materialist world of Christmas. When will we say ‘enough is enough’ was his call to action.

Public dramatically overestimate charity admin and fundraising costs - but are more tolerant of the latter

Submitted by Madelyn Dorsey on
  • Marked increased in public willingness for charities to invest in fundraising to boost future income
  • “Charities need to better explain the true level of, and rationale for, all their costs,” vies Saxton
  • “Charities should talk about ‘necessary management’, rather than ‘administration’,” Saxton adds

The public are dramatically overestimating charities’ admin and fundraising costs but are more tolerant of the latter - according to new research out today (see the figures by downloading file)

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