GivenGain

When COVID-19 broke out, much of the world moved online, accelerating a digital transformation that had been underway for decades. It affected every industry, including the charity sector. For fundraising, it meant the adoption of new tech and a greater reliance on digital platforms. This led to a boom in online fundraising platforms.

Today, there are loads to choose from, but we’ve come across one platform we feel stands head and shoulders above the rest. Allow us to introduce GivenGain.

What is GivenGain?

GivenGain is a global, not-for-profit online social fundraising platform that helps charities maximise donations by empowering supporters to fundraise on their behalf.

The app, which utilises cutting-edge technology, enables charities to receive donations from anywhere in the world, in multiple currencies. As a result, they work with organisations across 80 countries, enabling donors to fundraise in over 190 locations.

Since launching in 2001, the platform has helped high-profile global charities such as WWF, Médecins Sans Frontières and Unicef, raise hundreds of millions of pounds.

Why GivenGain?

You know the old adage, “it’s more blessed to give than to receive?” The folk at GivenGain live and breathe this, as they don’t profit from your fundraising. Instead, they reinvest every penny into the development of the platform and helping to set up charities in South Africa.

In addition, the platform, and all the donations made through it are managed by the GivenGain Foundation. The reason for this is the Founders believe that “managing donations through a supervised Foundation creates greater transparency and value for the global non-profit community.”

Managing the platform through a Foundation also means GivenGain can't be bought out or swallowed up by a larger platform, so you can rest assured it’s here to stay.  

Benefits of GivenGain

• Global platform

• Easy-to-use

• Provides support in multiple languages

• Accepts donations in multiple currencies

• Their API can easily integrate with any website, database, or CRM

• Split charity donation function

• No subscription or campaign fees

The app comes with expert fundraising advice and custom-branded fundraising materials to make the fundraising process even easier

GivenGain Giving Back

As an employer, the GivenGain foundation provides employees with an additional 12 days of paid leave each year to volunteer with a charity of their choice, anywhere in the world. Nice touch eh?

What About Fees?

Set-up fees? Nope

Subscription fees? Nah.

Campaign fees? Nada.

The GivenGain Foundation collects a 5% admin fee from each donation, which is used to build new tools and features to improve the platform. There’s also a transaction fee to cover the costs from banks and credit card companies. But that’s it.

What next?

Want to find out more about GivenGain? Send Will Irwin an email at will.irwin@givengain.com, or give him a call on 07811110023.

Alternatively, you can jump right in and register your charity here.

And of course, if you need some help recruiting talented digital fundraisers to manage the tech, don’t hesitate to get in touch on 0203 750 3111 or info@bamboofundraising.co.uk.

Simplifying the New Political Activity Guidance from the Charity Commission

The charity sector is about as diverse as it’s possible to be, encompassing everything from local food banks and health to climate change. And these disparate voices all play a vital role in making a positive difference to society.

But there’s confusion about what role charities should play. Some argue that their only legitimate function is to provide services that address the symptoms of society’s problems. However, this view excludes advocacy work that attempts to challenge the root causes that exacerbate the problems in the first place.

The issue was brought to the forefront in 2020 when the National Trust published a report highlighting connections between 93 of its historic places and slavery. The list of sites linked to ‘colonialism and slavery’ included Winston Churchill’s former family home, citing the former prime minister’s role in the Bengal famine and his opposition to Indian independence.

The report prompted accusations of politicisation from MPs, who claimed the trust presented a negative view of Britain that didn’t represent the scholarly consensus.

In response to the furore Baroness Stowell, then-chair of the Charity Commission, suggested that in publishing the report, the organisation had strayed from its charitable objectives.

Following an investigation, it was decided the National Trust acted within the law, undertaking the project in a considered way. But the debacle led the Charity Commission to update its guidance around charities and political campaigning.

What is the updated guidance?

There’s a lot to chew through to get to the meat of the changes. But, as an early Christmas gift, we’ve sifted through the update and pulled together the key points.

Before we jump into the guidance, let’s remind ourselves of the role of the Commission.

The Charity Commission: Who are they and what do they do?

The Charity Commission is a non-ministerial arm of the government, responsible for registering and regulating charities in England and Wales. They ensure charities stay on the right side of the law, and take action against those that don’t.

What are the amended rules around political activity?

• Charities can only be established for charitable purposes. An organisation that exists to further the interests of a political party cannot be registered as a charity.

• Political activity is acceptable, providing it’s undertaken in the interest of supporting a charity’s purpose.

• When working within the political arena, charities must emphasise their independence.

• A charity must not provide support or funding to any political party, candidate, or politician. However, they can support specific policies endorsed by political parties if it helps the charity achieve its purpose.

• Trustees must not allow their charities to be used as a vehicle for the expression of political views.

• Charities must comply with charity laws and any other applicable civil and criminal laws when campaigning.

• Political campaigns may use emotive or controversial material, where lawful and justifiable in the context of the campaign. But it must be factually accurate and backed up by evidence.

What is political activity?

Political activity is defined as any activity designed to change or influence policies or decisions taken by governments. For example, an ocean conservation charity campaigning for a government to change fishing laws to ensure sustainable levels of marine life.

Charities getting political, successfully.

That’s the definition. Now let’s look at a few examples of charities that have nailed political campaigning.

Pregnant Then Screwed

One of the many restrictions put in place during COVID was a blanket ban on partners attending the birth of their newborns.

However, Pregnant Then Screwed came to the rescue.

The charity, which works to end pregnancy and maternity discrimination, launched a peaceful protest dubbed March of the Mummies, to campaign for action from the UK Government to overcome the disadvantages mothers experience during labour.

The campaign resulted in a change in legislation, that helped get partners back on maternity wards.

Shelter

With lockdowns, furloughs, and redundancies, the impact of the pandemic on private rental tenants was significant. Thousands were left at risk of eviction due to their inability to pay their rent.

This was not something that Shelter, a charity that campaigns for tenant’s rights, could stand by and let happen. The organisation drummed up support on social media and put pressure on the government to protect tenants from the threat of eviction. This led to the introduction of a temporary ban on landlords evicting tenants and changes to the notice period they’re required to serve.

Final Word

As ‘Pregnant then Screwed’ and ‘Shelter’ have shown, it’s possible to incorporate political activity into your fundraising campaigns, providing you do so respectfully and lawfully.

If you need a talented fundraising talent to help you do it, give us a call on 0203 750 3111 or email info@bamboofundraising.co.uk.

Fundraising complaints report 2021/22: Key takeaways

Gather ‘round folks. The Fundraising Regulator has published its annual complaints report.

Covering the period April 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022, there’s a lot to unpack, but we’ve gone through it with a fine tooth comb and extracted the relevant bits, so you don’t have to.

You’re welcome.

The key findings

In 2022, the Regulator received a total of 1080 complaints (19% more than 2021).

Of all the complaints, three concerns were expressed more than any other:

1.     Misleading information

Complaints about misleading information increased by 17% in 2021/2022.

The Regulator defines misleading information as ‘unclear claims about why donations are needed and how they will be spent. Or a failure to present information that allows the donor to make an informed decision’. 

The complaints related to concerns that charity fees or charges were misleadingly described as donations.

The learning: If you want to build trust with supporters, your communications with donors need to be clear and accurate.

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising provides some clarity in its ‘accuracy and clarity in fundraising’ document.

A few pointers:

• Don’t leave information out

• Don’t be inaccurate or ambiguous

• Don’t exaggerate details

• If you make direct or implied claims, make sure there’s evidence to back them up.

2.     Approaching vulnerable people for funds

These complaints relate to in-person fundraising, and focus on fundraising from ‘vulnerable people’.

The Regulator defines a vulnerable person as ‘someone that lacks the capacity to make the decision to donate, or is facing a vulnerable circumstance which means they may not be able to make an informed decision’.

The Regulator defines ‘vulnerable’ as:

• people with physical or mental health conditions, disabilities, or learning difficulties

• people facing a time of stress or anxiety (for example, following the death of a loved one)

• people under the influence of alcohol or drugs

The learning: Fundraisers need to be able to identify vulnerable people and know how to engage appropriately with them.

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising offers some guidance in its ‘Treating Donors Fairly’ document.

3.     Negative fundraiser behaviour  

The third finding relates to concerns about the behaviour of third-party fundraisers (i.e., volunteers/professional fundraisers).

Specifically, the concerns were around fundraisers ‘pressuring people to donate’ and ‘providing incorrect information’.

The learning: If you want to hold on to your donors (and keep your reputation intact), you need to ensure third-party fundraisers are properly vetted, trained, and supported so they can carry out ‘their role in a way that is legal, open, honest and respectful.’

Once again, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising has some handy guidance around this. Check it out here.

Need some help recruiting top fundraising talent? Give us a call on 020 3750 3111.

Can you help us open doors for guide dogs?

This is Ricky - Bamboo’s Junior Consultant. If you’re a regular reader of the Bamboo blog, you may be aware that, when he’s not screening CV’s and answering phones, he looks after Graham, (one of our Founding Directors).

Graham has a genetic eye condition called retinitis pigmentosa (RP), a rare disease that makes cells in the retina (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of the eye) break down, leading to vision loss.

Graham relies on Ricky (one of 4,800 working guide dogs in the UK) to help him travel around safely and independently. And yet he and many other guide dog owners are refused entry to public places, such as cafés, shops, pubs, and taxis with their furry companions.

The law

The Equality Act 2010 prohibits service providers from discriminating against those who need an assistance dog. It also requires them to make reasonable adjustments for disabled customers.

And yet research by Guide Dogs for the Blind Association found that 81% of guide dog owners have been refused entry to a business or service with their guide dog. And 73% have been refused entry to a taxi.

The statistics are shocking.

For people with a vision impairment, a guide dog can be life-changing. Refusals are standing in the way of owners having the chance to flourish in their social and professional lives.

Open Doors

Guide Dogs for the Blind Association has launched a campaign called ‘Open Doors’ to help end illegal access refusals.

The aim is to educate the public and businesses on the law and grow understanding and awareness of how access refusals impact guide dog owners.

Of the campaign, Blanche Shackleton, Head of Policy, Public Affairs and Campaigns at Guide Dogs, said:

"Guide dog owners deserve to be able to live their lives the way they want and feel confident, independent, and supported in the world. The law is clear, and yet guide dog owners continue to experience access refusals, which are almost always illegal … Businesses and services need to do more to ensure they have open doors to guide dog owners.”

How can you help?

Guide Dogs has launched a petition calling for the strengthening of the Equality Act, so businesses are not able to refuse assistance dogs.

Add your signature here.

You can also show your support by displaying an ‘Open Doors’ sticker in your office, stating that your organisation welcomes assistance dogs.

You can request one from Guide Dogs by emailing campaigns@guidedogs.org.uk.

Fundraising 101: What is crowdfunding?

Are you looking for fundraising opportunities to boost your charity’s income (for relatively little effort), online? Of course, you are!

Let’s introduce you to crowdfunding.

Crowdfunding is a great way to raise funds in the digital space. What’s more, the online world is vast, providing access to more people than you can connect with in the ‘real world’ – so the pool of potential donors is, well, endless.

Intrigued? Let’s take a walk through the world of crowdfunding to see how it can help your charity with your fundraising efforts.

What is crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is a way to raise money via individual contributions from a large group of people – a crowd, if you will.

It’s a popular method for entrepreneurs and small businesses to raise capital for new projects and ventures. But it’s not exclusive to profit-led organisations. Many charities have run successful crowdfunding campaigns, and so can yours.

There are 4 types of crowdfunding:

●      Rewards: Donors receive something in return for their donations - something to incentivise them to contribute to the cause.

●      Equity: Campaign hosts offer a stake in the business/project in exchange for contributions.

●      Debt: A form of P2P (peer-to-peer) lending where the money received is repaid with interest.

●      Donation: Donors contribute to the campaign expecting nothing in return.

Obviously, when it comes to charity, people donate to support worthy causes, so equity and debt crowdfunding are irrelevant.

Naturally, donation-based crowdfunding is the ideal way to crowdfund but offering an incentive for donations is not a bad idea if the uptake is slow. Rewards can entice bigger donations from a larger number of people.

What do we mean by incentive? Maybe donors are entered into a raffle with the chance to win a prize. This could be anything from a gift voucher to dinner at a fancy restaurant. The prize doesn’t necessarily have to cost either. If you pitch it right and offer the company promotion, you may well find they’re open to donating something to help you raise funds.

Something to think about, right?

Popular Crowdfunding Platforms

Online crowdfunding became mainstream in the late 00’s, and a tidal wave of platforms have sprouted up from the virtual ground since, to make fundraising dreams a reality.

Kickstarter, GoFundMe and Patreon are a few of the big players in the industry. But be cautious when choosing your platforms, as they’re not all suited to charity crowdfunding.

To save you googling, here’s a list of the best options for charities and the advantages of crowdfunding on them:

Crowdfunder

• You can add projects and prize draws

• It accepts Nectar points

• Zero platform fees

• The money raised goes directly to your charity’s bank account

JustGiving Crowdfunding for Good

• No cause is too big or small

• Zero platform fees

• The money is sent directly to your bank account

Fundly

• Fundraising for the social era

• Optimised for mobile fundraising

• You can raise donations through Facebook directly with integrated forms

Donately

• You can easily create recurring donations

• Collects donations via embeddable forms, fundraising pages and text messaging

FundRazr

• Next generation crowdfunding for non-profits looking to make a positive impact

• Fast, effective online fundraising with 0% fees

Examples of Successful Charity Crowdfunding

Still need convincing that crowdfunding is a great way to boost donations? Check out these success stories!

Food Bank Aid vs The Cost-of-Living Crisis

North London based charity, Food Bank Aid, launched a 36-hour emergency crowdfunding campaign in March 2022, in support of 20 local food banks that have seen a 25% increase in customer numbers due to the cost of living crisis.

In a matched crowdfunding campaign launched on Charity Extra, the appeal (at the time of writing) has raised 134% of its original goal - smashing the original £600,000 target to the tune of £792,081 and counting. Not too shabby!

Hospice Making Moments that Matter

In 2020, Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospice in London raised nearly a third of its previous year’s income in 36 hours.

The Moments that Matter campaign aimed to raise £1.2m to create special moments for seriously unwell children. They reached this target within 24 hours, and to date have raised over £2m towards their cause.

A shining example of what charity crowdfunding success looks like if there ever was one, don’t you think?

Ready to Crowdfund?

So there you have it. We’ve reached the end of our crowdfunding 101. Let’s recap on what we’ve learned.

We discussed what crowdfunding is. Established the different types of crowdfunding, and which are best suited to your charity’s fundraising efforts.

We looked at the best platforms for non-profits and a couple of successful real-life crowdfunding campaigns that’ve raised thousands for good causes.

If we’ve inspired you to start your own crowdfunding campaign and you’re in need of a fundraising expert to get the ball rolling, we can help. Call us on 0203 750 3111 to talk tactics.