Toni Hunter's SuperBlog

Fundraising

Spread giving (e.g. a 24 month pledge) often exceeds the value of a single donation, beyond the cost of the cashflow.

Steering donors towards set gift levels, on a proportionate basis such as “donate £5 for a mosquito net” can be dangerous as if it is perceived to be too high a price you will alienate your supporters, if it is too low you will miss out on larger pledges, as supporters will give the amount requested and then walk away with the perception that they “have done their bit”.

Strategy

When creating a fundraising strategy, consideration should be given to the following:

1. Is your strategy beneficiary focused or donor focused?
2. Are the options available to the donor actually diluting the overall impact?
3. Is the money really needed?  Can all the costs be justified?  Why are retained reserves being utlised?
4. Have you done enough research about you potential supporters?  What are the demographics of your constituency?
5. Are there any active, influential leaders that could champion your cause?
6. The principles of pereto and economies of scale apply.  Don’t underestimate the importance of philanthropists.
7. Personal approaches will always be more successful, but are time consuming.  A direct mailing will generate no more than a 1% return.
8. Have you considered approaching other voluntary organisations such as Churches ans Sports Clubs?
9. Make sure all staff and volunteers are properly trained and understand the objectives of the charity as well as the strategy of the current fundraising efforts.

The information provided in this blog illustrates my opinions and experiences, it does not constitute advice and I do not accept responsibility for any actions taken or refrained from as a result of reading this post.

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The Finance Act 2010 introduced a new definition which Charities (and Community Amateur Sports Clubs) will need to adopt in order to ensure it remains entitled to tax relief.

Management Condition

The new definition introduces the term ‘management condition’ and states that managers must be deemed to be fit and proper persons to manage the charity.  The term manager is deemed to relate to any person who has day to day control over the running of the charity and any persons who can assert influence over its running.

Fit and Proper Declaration

An individual is considered ‘fit and proper’ if they ensure that charity funds and tax reliefs are used only for charitable purposes.  HMRC have advised that all managers should sign a declaration as to whether they are ‘fit and proper’ they suggest a person declares the following:

1. I am not disqualified from acting as a charity trustee
2. I have not been convicted of an offence involving deception or dishonesty
3. I have not been involved in tax fraud
4. I am not an undischarged bankrupt
5. I have not made compositions or arrangements with my creditors from which I have not been discharged
6. I have not been removed from serving as a charity trustee or been stopped from acting in a management position within a charity
7. I have not been disqualified from serving as a Company Director
8. I will at all times ensure the charity’s funds and charity tax reliefs received by this organisation are used only for charitable purposes

More paperwork….

For most people this will not be too onerous a declaration and will only be a question of form filling to ensure you have the paperwork in place should it ever be requested. Another example of red tape that could prevent your charitable status from being challenged, which could have catastrophic tax consequences.

The information provided in this blog illustrates my opinions and experiences, it does not constitute advice and I do not accept responsibility for any actions taken or refrained from as a result of reading this post.