Three cracking charity April Fool’s campaigns

From homelessness and poverty to disaster relief and disability, the issues charities tackle is no laughing matter.

But April Fool’s Day is a prime opportunity to take a break from the serious stuff and have some fun.

Here are three cracking campaigns to put a smile on your face.

Blind Veterans UK

In 2023, Blind Veterans UK announced an innovative ‘guide tortoise’ pilot to support blind veterans.

The charity posted a short animation to its social media channels, touting the benefits of a reptilian companion.

The chirpy female narrator says that guide tortoises are ‘perfect for blind veterans who prefer an amble to a walk’, adding that they’re a cost-effective alternative to guide dogs, as all you need to do is ‘feed them a few dandelion leaves and off they go’.

The video was supported by more pun-filled content on the charity’s website.

In a statement, Shelley Hardback, Rehabilitation Lead, said:

"This pilot is revolutionary, but it’s fair to say it’s not without its challenges. For a start, most of the applicants have been half asleep and, sadly, the trials we’ve run have ‘tortoise’ nothing so we’re on the hunt for more recruits 

If you happen to own a tortoise with a nose for directions, please let us know in the comments. And we ‘shell’ be in touch."

National Trust

From grand houses and palaces to cotton mills and urban homes, the National Trust looks after 200+ historic buildings in the UK. It’s also responsible for conserving the 13,500 oil paintings within those buildings.

This is no mean feat. It can take weeks or months to restore a single painting.

In 2022, The Trust announced that the restoration team at its Upton House property had come up with a unique way to ensure the public can continue to enjoy the works of art while they’re undergoing conservation.

In a hilarious video, two National Trust staff explain the ‘People as Paintings’ project.

‘When paintings or other items from our collection are removed for repair or conservation cleaning, curators from the places we care for have been filling those gaps with people.’

The video goes on to highlight some of the ‘live paintings’, including a reconstruction of The Card Players after Theodoor Rombouts.

The presenter goes on to say ‘the project has been so well received we’re trialling it at several of the places we care for due to the sheer amount of people that bear a striking resemblance to these priceless works of art,’ and encourages viewers to send in their own live paintings.

WWF

In 2017, the World Wildlife Fund teamed up with the Telegraph for an Arctic-sized prank.

On April 1, the newspaper published an article claiming that a polar bear had been spotted by a dog walker on an island in the Outer Hebrides.

It claimed that scientists believe the bear had been forced to head south to flee the melting Arctic ice cap, and that due to its abundance of seals, ‘the island of North Uist could soon find itself home to a whole colony of polar bears.’

The story didn’t stop there. It went on to say WWF scientists believe the bears could one day head south to Glasgow and survive on discarded haggis, kebabs, and other meat products from the city’s bins.

Clever marketing

The fabricated article was a big hit online. But, while it may have raised a smile, it carried a powerful message: By 2050, polar bear numbers may decline by 30% due to the rapid loss of sea ice, unless climate change is halted. 

On the hunt for a fundraiser? We can help. Give us a call on 020 3750 3111 or email us at info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to get started.

How to raise funds for your ‘unpopular’ cause

Why Some Causes Struggle to Fundraise—And What to Do About It

Not all charities are created equal—at least not in the eyes of donors. Some causes naturally pull at the heartstrings and open wallets, while others struggle for attention simply because they don’t fit the traditional feel-good narrative.

Save the panda? Absolutely. Save the ex-offender? Not so much.

The reality is that charities tackling cancer, animal welfare, and the arts tend to thrive, while issues like addiction, domestic violence, and ex-offender rehabilitation fight for scraps.

This trend is backed up by research from The Centre of Philanthropy at the University of Kent, which examined donor behaviour towards so-called ‘unpopular’ causes. Here’s what they found:

• Among the top 100 charities by donation size, there are:

  • 9 cancer charities and 13 other health-related charities

  • 10 animal charities

  • 10 arts charities

  • Just one mental health charity

Notably, not a single charity supporting addiction, ex-offenders, refugees, or asylum seekers made it into the top 250.

Why Do Some Causes Struggle to Attract Funding?

At the heart of the issue is unconscious bias—the deeply ingrained attitudes and stereotypes that shape how we see the world and, in this case, how we decide where to give our money.

Unconscious biases are shaped by personal experiences, societal norms, and cultural influences, often without us even realising it. And when they’re left unchecked, they limit our ability to empathise—something that’s crucial in charitable giving.

This is a big reason why health charities pull in millions while causes supporting ex-offenders or victims of domestic abuse struggle. But while unconscious bias is a tough beast to tackle, there are ways for so-called ‘unpopular’ causes to shift the narrative and bring donors on board.

How to Raise Money for an ‘Unpopular’ Cause

You can’t single-handedly rewrite society’s biases, but you can rethink how you position your cause. Here’s how:

1. Reframe the Message

To get people to care about your cause, you have to make them care about the people it affects.

Mental health charity Mind learnt this the hard way. In 2014, it was labelled one of the UK’s most ‘unpopular’ causes, struggling to attract donors. Their response? A total messaging overhaul.

Paul Farmer, Mind’s Chief Executive, admitted, “We knew what we did mattered, but the message didn’t seem to be getting across. Mind has always focused on people—how mental health problems can affect individuals. But somehow, we’d forgotten to put that at the heart of everything we said.”

By shifting their focus to real-life stories instead of policy or diagnosis, Mind turned things around. Within two years, they increased fundraising income by nearly £1m and attracted a wave of new donors and celebrity ambassadors.

2. Embrace the Underdog Advantage

Malcolm Gladwell, in David and Goliath, talks about how underdogs can use their disadvantages to their benefit—if they approach things differently from the mainstream.

David wasn’t stronger than Goliath, but he was nimble, strategic, and fought on his own terms. If your charity sits in the ‘unpopular’ category, what David-style strengths can you leverage? Maybe it’s the unique lived experiences of your beneficiaries, the compelling personal journeys you can share, or the fact that your cause taps into an urgent but under-addressed societal need.

3. Focus on Value, Not Volume

If your organisation supports ex-offenders, domestic abuse survivors, or people with addictions, you may struggle with mass fundraising tactics like direct mail appeals or charity fun runs. But that doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Instead of casting a wide net, focus on the right people—the ones who already care. Institutional funders, specialist grant-makers, and philanthropists often seek out niche causes that align with their interests.

The National Schizophrenia Fellowship (NSF) is a great example. They went from an annual income of £236,000 to over £2 million in five years by ditching mainstream fundraising methods. No more mass donor appeals, Christmas card sales, or costly events. Instead, they targeted a handful of high-value funders who understood and supported their mission. Within a year, they had increased their trust income by 800%.

The Takeaway

If charities like Mind and NSF can shift the dial, so can you. It’s all about working smarter—framing your cause in a way that maximises empathy, leaning into the strengths of being an underdog, and focusing on fewer, bigger funding opportunities rather than chasing mass-market appeal.

How to Tackle Your Fear of Public Speaking and Nail That Presentation

So, you’ve made it to the final round of interviews for your dream fundraising role – well done! But there’s a catch: the last hurdle involves delivering a presentation. For some, this might be a walk in the park, but if the mere thought of standing in front of an audience sends shivers down your spine, you’re not alone. Glossophobia, or the fear of public speaking, affects a whopping 77% of people. The good news? You don’t need to eliminate your fear entirely to succeed. You just need to manage it. And with the right preparation, you can turn that nervous energy into a confident performance.

Here’s how to take control of your fear and deliver a presentation that leaves a lasting impression.

Preparation is Your Secret Weapon

Let’s start with the obvious: preparation is key. The more prepared you are, the less room there is for fear to take over. But preparation isn’t just about memorising your slides – it’s about knowing your material inside out, anticipating questions, and rehearsing until it feels second nature.

• Practice, Practice, Practice: Run through your presentation multiple times. Record yourself speaking and watch it back. Notice where you stumble, rush, or lose your flow. Apps like Orai can help you refine your delivery by analysing your speech patterns.

• Rehearse with an Audience: Enlist a friend or colleague to listen to your presentation. Ask them to throw tough questions your way or act as an indifferent audience. This will help you build resilience and adapt to different reactions.

• Plan for the Worst: Imagine the toughest scenarios – technical glitches, tricky questions, or a blank mind mid-sentence. By preparing for these moments, you’ll feel more in control when it’s showtime.

And don’t forget the logistics! Test your equipment beforehand, whether it’s the microphone, slides, or clicker. The last thing you need is to fumble with tech when you should be focusing on your delivery.

Know Your Stuff Inside Out

Confidence comes from knowledge. Dive deep into your topic, exploring not just the main points but also alternative perspectives and potential criticisms. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel.

• Stay Current: Incorporate the latest research, statistics, or case studies to back up your points. This not only strengthens your argument but also shows your audience that you’re well-informed.

• Add a Personal Touch: Share anecdotes or unique examples that make your presentation memorable. A well-placed story can humanise your content and help you connect with your audience.

Start Small: Build Confidence Gradually

If the thought of speaking in front of a crowd feels overwhelming, start small. Practice in front of a trusted friend or colleague who can give you constructive feedback. This approach, rooted in exposure therapy, helps you confront your fear in a safe environment.

When you’re delivering your presentation, imagine you’re speaking directly to that one person. It’s a simple trick that can make a big difference in calming your nerves.

Embrace the Power of the Pause

One of the most underrated tools in public speaking is the pause. It might feel counterintuitive, but a well-timed silence can add weight to your words and give you a moment to collect your thoughts.

• Use Pauses Strategically: After making a key point or asking a question, pause for a few seconds. This gives your audience time to absorb what you’ve said and helps you avoid rushing through your material.

• Don’t Fear Silence: If your mind goes blank, take a deep breath and pause. What feels like an eternity to you is often just a few seconds to your audience. Use the moment to regroup and continue with confidence.

Visualise Success

Your mindset plays a huge role in how you perform. Instead of imagining everything that could go wrong, visualise everything going right. Picture yourself delivering your presentation with confidence, the panel nodding in agreement, and your audience engaged.

Focus on the positive reactions in the room – the smiles, the nods, the attentive faces. This will help you stay calm and connected to your audience.

Focus on Your Message, Not Your Fear

It’s easy to get caught up in how you’re coming across – your tone, your body language, your pace. But ultimately, your audience cares about what you’re saying, not how you’re saying it.

• Keep It Simple: Focus on a few core messages you want your audience to take away. If they leave with a clear understanding of your key points, you’ve done your job.

• Be Authentic: Audiences respond to honesty and passion. If you genuinely believe in what you’re saying, they’ll forgive the occasional stumble or pause.

Final Thoughts

Public speaking is a skill, not a talent. And like any skill, it improves with practice. The fear might never completely disappear, but with the right preparation and mindset, you can learn to manage it and even use it to your advantage.

So, take a deep breath, trust in your preparation, and remember: you’ve got this. That dream fundraising role is within reach – and your presentation could be the thing that seals the deal.

Fundraising Salaries vs Job Titles Since 2017 – How Have Things Changed?

Fundraising Salaries vs Job Titles Since 2017 – How Have Things Changed?

We’ve often wondered whether there’s any real logic behind job titles in the charity sector. One organisation’s ‘Head of’ can be another’s ‘Senior Executive’. And a job simply labelled ‘Fundraiser’ can come with a salary anywhere between £25k and £50k, depending on where you look.

Although it would be lovely to live in a world where job titles don’t matter, the reality is they do. Plenty of people have turned down roles because they were advertised as ‘Manager’ rather than ‘Head of’—even when the responsibilities were identical. That got us thinking: over the years, how have salaries changed at different job levels? And how do these shifts hold up against inflation?

For simplicity's sake, we’ve focused on Greater London-based roles, advertised directly by charities across three charity job boards. We’ve tracked salaries across three years—2017, 2022, and 2024. It’s not an exact science, but we’ve tried to iron out anomalies by removing job titles with very few adverts, using the upper end of salary ranges, and discounting extreme highs and lows to create a truncated mean.

Details on each job title tracked and the mean salary for each year in the table below...

The Results: Winners and Losers

Senior Roles Holding Their Value (Just About)

One thing is clear: senior fundraising roles have fared better than junior and mid-level ones when it comes to salary growth. If you’re a ‘Head of’ something, your average salary has risen by 20.3% since 2017, from £51,666 to £62,142. That sounds impressive—until you adjust for inflation. In real terms, this increase is much more modest, suggesting that while these roles have seen nominal salary growth, they are largely just keeping pace with rising costs rather than offering any meaningful uplift.

Junior Roles Falling Behind

For Assistants, things have gone the other way. Their salaries have actually fallen by 3.2% over seven years. In 2017, they could expect to earn £23,714; today, that’s dropped to £22,945. Adjusting for inflation, the real-terms loss is much higher—Assistants today are earning significantly less spending power than their counterparts seven years ago.

Similarly, Co-ordinators have seen a 2.5% decline, with salaries slipping from £28,250 to £27,541. Once inflation is factored in, that’s a fairly significant pay cut in real terms.

It raises an important question: are entry-level fundraisers being undervalued? And if so, is that contributing to the talent retention issues many charities are struggling with?

Mid-Level Fundraisers: A Bumpy Ride

The story for Fundraisers and Executives is a mixed bag. Executive salaries dropped by 7.3% between 2017 and 2022 before rebounding slightly in 2024, but they’re still down 3.7% overall. Factor in inflation, and the real-term earnings gap is even wider.

Fundraisers initially saw a pay rise of 5.3% between 2017 and 2022, but this was wiped out by an 8.3% drop in the last two years. That means Fundraisers today are taking home less (both in real and nominal terms) than they were in 2017.

It’s a turbulent picture, and one that suggests mid-level fundraisers haven’t been able to rely on steady salary growth. If anything, real-term wages have declined.

So, What’s Driving These Changes?

A few key factors could be at play:

• A shifting job market – Fundraising is increasingly competitive, and some charities may be funnelling budgets into senior leadership roles at the expense of junior ones.

• Inflation vs salary growth – While some salaries appear to have risen, the reality is that inflation has outpaced these increases, eroding real-terms earnings.

• Skills shortages at the top – The demand for experienced fundraisers (particularly those managing teams) means senior salaries are rising, even if only to maintain value against inflation.

What Next?

The data suggests that if you’re in a senior fundraising role, your earnings have broadly kept pace with inflation—but not significantly grown. Meanwhile, if you’re earlier in your career, your salary has likely lost real-term value over time. If charities want to attract and retain talent, they may need to rethink their approach to salary progression—especially for those at the start of their fundraising careers.

What do you think? Have these salary trends been reflected in your own experience? If you’re wondering how to position yourself for the best pay opportunities, we’d love to chat.

Looking for a Fundraiser?

We can help you make an impact. Call us on 020 3880 6655 or email contactus@ferntalent.com to get started.

Year Job Title Salary 2024 Assistant £22,945.00 2022 Assistant £23,022.50 2017 Assistant £23,714.00 2024 Co-ordinator £27,541.00 2022 Co-ordinator £27,647.90 2017 Co-ordinator £28,250.00 2024 Officer £35,412.00 2022 Officer £30,073.60 2017 Officer £29,261.00 2024 Fundraiser £30,154.00 2022 Fundraiser £32,865.60 2017 Fundraiser £31,200.00 2024 Executive £30,486.00 2022 Executive £29,366.45 2017 Executive £31,666.00 2024 Senior Executive £37,451.00 2022 Senior Executive £37,277.17 2017 Senior Executive £32,611.00 2024 Senior Officer £37,153.00 2022 Senior Officer £34,609.09 2017 Senior Officer £34,561.00 2024 Manager £43,124.00 2022 Manager £40,088.50 2017 Manager £38,372.00 2024 Senior Manager £49,265.00 2022 Senior Manager £49,256.64 2017 Senior Manager £41,444.00 2024 Lead £60,152.00 2022 Lead £57,909.09 2017 Lead £44,734.00 2024 Head of £62,142.00 2022 Head of £57,550.00 2017 Head of £51,666.00 2024 Director £88,561.00 2022 Director £82,076.92 2017 Director £62,821.00

How to Get Past the Robots and Get Your CV Seen

How to Get Past the Robots and Get Your CV Seen

Before a human even glances at your job application, chances are it’s already been scanned, sorted, and—if it doesn’t tick the right boxes—discarded by a machine.

It’s not personal. It’s just how recruitment works now.

Most employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to sift through CVs before a real person sees them. These systems are designed to spot relevant experience and filter out anything that doesn’t match up. It’s efficient, but it also means a strong candidate can get overlooked if their CV isn’t ATS-friendly. Here’s how to make sure yours makes it through.

Speak the Same Language

An ATS isn’t reading your CV like a human would. It’s scanning for keywords—specific skills, qualifications, and experience pulled straight from the job description. If a role asks for “major donor fundraising experience” and your CV says you’ve “raised significant funds for charity,” the system might not connect the dots.

Use the exact terms from the job advert where you can. If the role specifies “CRM experience,” be clear about which systems you’ve used—Salesforce, Raiser's Edge, whatever applies. And while a quirky CV layout might catch a hiring manager’s eye, ATS software isn’t impressed. Stick to standard section headings like “Work Experience,” “Education,” and “Key Skills” so nothing important gets lost in translation.

Keep It Clean and Simple

A well-designed CV might stand out to a human, but to an ATS, too much formatting is a problem. Fancy fonts, graphics, tables, and text boxes can make key information unreadable. Even headers and footers can trip up some systems.

The safest option? A straightforward, well-structured Word document—unless the job posting specifically asks for a PDF. And double-check your spelling. A recruiter might overlook a typo, but an ATS won’t.

Get the Balance Right

Yes, your CV needs to be optimised for ATS software, but don’t forget the real audience: the hiring manager. A document crammed with repeated keywords will feel clunky when it finally reaches a human. The key is balance—include the right phrases without making it read like you’re gaming the system.

There’s no magic formula, but a clear, well-written CV that speaks the same language as the job description will give you the best chance of making it past the robots and onto a hiring manager’s desk. And that’s the whole point, isn’t it?

Need a second opinion on your CV? We can help.

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