Small and Mighty, for Small Charities Week: Essential Fundraising Tips
If you’re part of a small charity, you’ll know that fundraising can sometimes feel a bit like spinning plates while writing a funding application, answering emails and trying to remember whether you’ve had lunch.
That’s exactly why, as part of Small Charity Week, we wanted to give something back to the incredible organisations doing extraordinary work every single day.
We brought together six fundraising experts for a free online session packed with practical advice, fresh ideas and plenty of reassurance that no, you’re not the only person trying to juggle everything at once.
We were absolutely delighted by the response and hugely grateful to our guest speakers, who generously shared their expertise, experience and a few hard-earned lessons from years of fundraising.
If you couldn’t join us live, don’t worry. Here are some of our favourite takeaways from the session.
Corporate Fundraising: Grahame Darnell, Darnell Consulting
Corporate fundraising isn’t about sending hundreds of emails and hoping one lands. It’s about finding organisations that genuinely align with your values and building relationships that work for everyone.
Top tips:
- Do your homework. Understanding what matters to a business before you get in touch can make all the difference
- Think partnership, not sponsorship
- Look beyond financial support. Employee fundraising, volunteering, skills sharing and pro bono support can all create huge value
- Keep stewardship front and centre. Businesses want to know the difference they’re helping to make
In short: relationships first, fundraising second.
Legacy & In Memory Giving: Emily Grint, Legacy Futures
One of the biggest misconceptions about legacy fundraising is that it’s only for large charities with dedicated teams and sizeable budgets. Emily reminded us that every charity, regardless of size, can create opportunities for supporters to leave a lasting gift.
Top tips:
- Create thoughtful, tailored thank you letters for in-memory donations, funeral collections and legacy enquiries
- Record information carefully so future communications remain personal and appropriate
- Share supporter stories, with permission, to help others understand the impact of gifts in wills
- Include gentle legacy messaging throughout your communications rather than relying on occasional campaigns
- Make sure everyone internally knows who records, thanks and follows up with supporters
Emily also reminded us that legacy fundraising isn’t about asking supporters to make a decision today. It’s about making sure your charity is there when they’re making one in the future.
Trusts & Foundations: Rose Bernstein, Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants
Rose somehow managed to squeeze an astonishing amount of fundraising wisdom into ten minutes. The overwhelming message? Great trust fundraising is a team sport.
Top tips:
- Get colleagues involved in applications. Their stories, evidence and expertise will make your bids stronger
- Ask someone else to review your applications before you hit submit
- Stay close to your organisation’s work by attending meetings, gathering stories and collecting evidence of impact
- Share positive funder feedback with colleagues. Success breeds confidence
- Don’t be afraid to ask funders about capacity-building support, mentoring or professional development funding
- Protect time to plan your pipeline and identify future opportunities
Perhaps the most important reminder of all: trust fundraising involves hearing “no” far more often than hearing “yes”. The trick is not to let the “no’s” have the final word.
Events Fundraising: Sophie Maggs, Acorns Children’s Hospice
Sophie shared some brilliant insights into creating fundraising events that supporters remember for all the right reasons and, importantly, want to come back to.
Top tips:
- Great stewardship is what turns a one-off participant into a long-term supporter
- Make everyone feel valued, regardless of how much they raise
- Keep communications personal, authentic and timely
- Show supporters the impact they’ve made
- Think beyond the finish line. Events are often the beginning of a relationship, not the end of one
After all, nobody signs up for a fundraising challenge hoping to become another row on a spreadsheet.
Bringing It All Together: Nova founders Emma and Emma-Louise
Emma and Emma-Louise wrapped up the session by zooming out and looking at the bigger fundraising picture.
Because while it’s tempting to chase every opportunity, apply for every grant and say yes to every fundraising idea that pops into your inbox, sustainable fundraising isn’t about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things well.
Top tips:
- Start with clear priorities
- Build fundraising plans around your organisation’s strengths and capacity
- Invest in relationships because they’re your greatest fundraising asset
- Measure what’s working and be brave enough to stop doing what isn’t
- Remember that sustainable fundraising is built over months and years, not overnight
Fundraising isn’t a sprint. It’s much closer to a relay race, with occasional hurdles and the odd, unexpected headwind.
Thank You
A huge thank you to Graham Darnell, Emily Grint, Rose Bernstein, Sophie Maggs, and our very own Emma and Emma-Louise for sharing their time, expertise and encouragement so generously during Small Charity Week.
The feedback from attendees was fantastic, and we’re so pleased to have brought together such an inspiring group of fundraising professionals to support small charities across the sector.
At Nova Fundraising, we’re passionate about making fundraising feel achievable, strategic and, importantly, human. Whether you’re developing your fundraising strategy, exploring new income streams, strengthening supporter relationships or simply trying to work out what to prioritise next, we’re always happy to have a conversation.
If you’re currently spinning several plates while reading this, we see you! Please get in touch if we can help, as it’s what we love to do!
