How to Make Fundraising Roles More Attractive Without Increasing the salary

Charities looking to hire top fundraising talent are facing tough competition in the current candidate-driven market. Many think the only way to attract the best of the best is to pay top dollar.

But this isn’t the case. Money is important, of course. But it’s not the only thing job seekers think about when looking at their next career move.

Here are seven ways to make your fundraising roles more attractive without increasing the salary.

1.      Mental Health and Wellbeing

Research shows that one in six working Brits suffer from poor mental health. Therefore, focusing on the mental wellbeing of your employees is essential.

In our experience, candidates are noticing that charities talk the talk when it comes to wellbeing. But dig below the surface and there’s little substance to their claims.

Being an advocate for positive mental health and taking steps to support the wellbeing of your staff will set you apart in a crowded market.

We will be publishing a blog post on this topic in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, here are a few things you can do to show staff their mental health matters:

• Make mental health training mandatory for managers to make them more aware of and invested in employees’ well-being.

• Factor mental and emotional well-being into the on-boarding process so employees know it’s a priority from day one

• Build as much flexibility into employees’ schedules as possible

• Consider offering a meditation room, mindfulness training, and/or yoga classes at work

2.    Childcare

Recent reports show the number of people not working due to caring commitments has risen to its highest level since 2020.

The cost of childcare combined with a lack of flexible working opportunities and proper parental leave has caused many parents and carers to leave their jobs.

Show you’re sympathetic to the needs of caregivers by offering them tangible incentives, such as compressed working hours, job shares or part time hours.

3.    Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Many charities talk about building a diverse team, but don’t walk the walk.

There are various things you can do to attract applications from a diverse range of candidates. For example:

• Advertise jobs in diverse networking groups

• Include a diverse interview panel

• Offer alternative routes to employment (i.e., apprenticeships)

If you’re at the beginning of your diversity journey, set some objectives and share them with the team. For example, “we aim to increase the level of diversity in our team by 15% by 2025.”

Information like this (along with a concrete plan of action) will demonstrate that diversity is a important to your organisation.

4.    Promote all your perks

A pension is a major perk, yet many charities don’t advertise the fact they offer one. Some of our candidates have only found out they get one once they’ve accepted the role.

It could be the difference between a top candidate applying for your role or discarding it.

The same goes for all the benefits. Is there an on-site child-care facility? Should about it! Do staff get free meals? Add it to the list of perks.

5.    Flexibility

Flexible working comes in all shapes and sizes. From part-time and zero-hour contracts to remote working and career breaks.

Wherever you stand in terms of flexibility, make it clear in your job ads and reiterate it at interview stage.

6.    Progression/Training

Candidates want to know there are opportunities for growth and progression when applying for jobs.

Does your charity have a staff training budget? If so, make it known.

For job seekers looking to build a long-term career in the fundraising sector, this will hold great appeal.

Finishing up

That’s six ways to make your roles more attractive without breaking the bank - done and dusted.

If you’re looking to recruit fundraising talent, give us a call on 0203 750 3111.

Five mistakes that could cost you a promotion (and how to handle them)

Work is going well. You’ve smashed your fundraising targets, developed a solid pipeline of potential donors, and built strong relationships with your colleagues and manager.

But you’re frustrated. Two years in, the role has lost its initial allure as it no longer challenges you.

It’s time for a change. It’s time to progress. It’s time for a promotion.

But getting one is easier said than done.

To maximise your chances of bagging one, avoid these five common mistakes.

1.     Not asking

The single biggest mistake people make when looking for a promotion is assuming they’ll be handed one on a plate.

Sure, there’s a chance your manager will recognise your potential and promote you unsolicited, but it’s rare.

If you don’t speak up, how will your boss know you want to progress?

What to do

If you want a promotion, be proactive and ask for one. But be smart about it. Have a list of your achievements to hand and evidence to back them up.

If you get knocked back, don’t be disheartened. Good fundraisers are like gold dust. Your manager won’t deny you a promotion without good reason. By speaking up, they’ll know you’re hungry to advance your career and may well find a way to keep you happy and stimulated.

2.     Being invisible

If people don’t know who you are, you’re not going to get promoted. This is especially true of larger charities, where competition for promotions can be fierce.

What to do

Focus on raising your profile by making yourself known to the people who matter.

Show up for every fundraising and social event. Speak up in meetings, and join work-related committees.

The more visible you are, the better your chances of success.

3.     Comparing yourself to others

Is there someone in your department who (in your opinion) unfairly bagged a promotion? Are you intending to use it as part of your argument for getting one?

Think again. Bad-mouthing your colleagues is not going to impress your manager (who probably promoted your colleague in the first place).

What to do

Promotions need to be justified. Rather than give your boss reasons why they shouldn’t have promoted your colleague, give them reasons why you should be promoted.

This is where the ‘brag folder’ comes in.

Whenever you achieve something at work, whether it’s surpassing a fundraising target, securing an elusive major donor, or taking the lead on a major fundraising project, make a note of it and add it to your ‘brag folder’ – a place where you document your big (and small) wins.

When it’s time for the promotion chat, present it to your boss.

However, as we said earlier, when presenting your case, don’t trash others. Let your boss know why you are worth the additional investment. And keep the bigger picture in mind. Talk about how your achievements helped the charity reach its goals.

4.     Being complacent

Going to work and doing the bare minimum each day is not going to do you any favours.

If you want to be seen as a serious contender for a promotion, you need to go the extra mile.

What to do

• Take on more responsibility, (whether it’s offering to head up a project, or set up a committee)

• Ask your colleagues for feedback on your strengths and weaknesses

• Don’t be afraid to make a lateral move if it enables you to master new skills

• Take advantage of training opportunities

• Attend workshops, lectures, and/or seminars outside of work that’ll enhance the skills you need for the job you want.

5.     Making enemies

Promoting someone isn’t a decision your boss will make in a vacuum. The decision will probably require the green light from a number of people.

There’s no quicker way to hurt your chances of getting promoted than rubbing people up the wrong way.

You want people to sing your praise and root for you to get promoted.

What to do

Simple. Be a good colleague. Treat people with respect, even if it’s not reciprocated.

It might feel good to retaliate in the moment, but it could kill your chances to progress.

Focus on being positive, supportive and make a concerted effort to stay away from office gossip and politics.

Ready to take the next step in your career and need some advice? We can help. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 or email info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to get started.

Five ingredients of a great festive direct mail fundraising campaign

‘Tis the season to be jolly, and get your festive direct mail fundraising campaign in order.

That’s right folks, Christmas is just around the corner. If your festive appeal isn’t in the can, you’d better get a wriggle on.

A recent survey by Donor Pulse found that 49% of people are more likely to give around Christmas than any other time of year, and 38% say they do it because they’re asked to’. So, a festive ask is a no-brainer.

What is direct mail fundraising?

Direct mail fundraising is the process of designing, writing, printing, and delivering fundraising materials to donors via their letterbox, rather than their inbox.

We know what you’re thinking. Why go to all that effort when you can send an email?

Well, digital fundraising is great, but research shows that a combination of direct and digital mail increases campaign effectiveness by a whopping 400%.

With that in mind, what are the ingredients of a killer Christmas direct mail campaign?

Here are some pointers.

1.   Make it personal

Did you know that your brain lights up when it hears your name? True story.

The most successful fundraising campaigns are personalised, so make sure your donor’s name is the first thing they see.

As well as using donors’ names, make use of the word ‘you’.

Addressing the reader directly will involve them in your story. This is key to boosting your response rate.

2.   Think about your hook

You’ve got seconds before your appeal goes in the bin. Without a strong hook, people won’t get past the first paragraph, let alone donate.

To maximise impact, you could share a compelling story about one of your beneficiaries, or some shocking statistics that highlight the extent of the issue you’re tackling.

3.   Tell an authentic story

Stats are great for grant applications, but direct mail fundraising is all about storytelling.

A powerful story will help you create a personal connection with readers and draw out empathy, which is key to persuading people to give.

Authenticity is key here. With direct mail, it can be tempting to put words into someone’s mouth or tell a story in a way you think will most appeal to donors. But it’s not your story. You have a responsibility to share stories ethically and responsibly, so work with your service users to create stories that raise their voices rather than amplify yours.

The Salvation Army’s Red Shield Appeal is a great example.

4. Show your appreciation

As well as raising funds, your Christmas direct mail appeal is the perfect opportunity to thank donors for their generosity throughout the year.

Sure, you can incorporate this into your letter, but why not go the extra mile and send each donor a personalised Christmas card, like the WRVS.

5. Give to receive

Each year, Cliff Richard reminds us that Christmas is a ‘time for giving, a time for getting’ so why not give something to donors in anticipation of receiving their donations?

Nothing big or expensive. Maybe a tree decoration, a branded Christmas cracker with a thank you message, or a discount voucher.

If you want to push the boat out, you could team up with a holiday company and offer people the chance to win a winter weekend away in a festive prize draw, in return for a donation.

The possibilities are endless, but a gift will be a welcome addition to your appeal letter.

Wrapping up

If you’re looking for a fundraiser to execute your Christmas direct mail campaign, you’re reading the right blog. Contact us to get started on 0203 750 3111.

How to respond when disaster strikes

A badly handled crisis is one of the greatest risks to any organisation’s reputation.

Especially in the charity sector, your reputation is everything.

While crises can’t always be avoided, the damage can be minimised. How? With a well-thought-out crisis communications plan.

Crisis planning 101

Before we dive into crisis planning, what constitutes a crisis?

‘A crisis is an event or scandal that has the potential to disrupt your organisation’s activity, negatively affect your finances, and ultimately damage your reputation.’

The charity sector has been hit by a raft of crises in recent years, from safeguarding concerns, to  allegations of racism, sexual misconduct and high pressure fundraising tactics.

The charities involved have hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons, losing donors, volunteers, and key funders as a result.

If you want to avoid the same fate, an effective crisis plan can help minimise the fallout.

Here are a few pointers:

1.     Be prepared

Do the planning now so you’re on the front foot if crisis strikes. This means putting together a risk register and crisis response protocol. 

Your risk register is essentially a list of all the terrible things that could happen because of your charity’s activities, such as: 

• operational issues 

• issues with suppliers, partners, or stakeholders 

• an external event or action by a third party that could have a significant effect on your organisation 

• reputational issues as a result of public scrutiny (because of alleged mismanagement of funds, racism etc)

You then need to decide: 

a) what you can do to minimise the likelihood of them happening

b) how you will respond if the worst happens

The crisis response protocol should lay out who needs to be involved in the response, the channels you’ll use and how you’ll deal with any questions or challenges. 

2.     Respond quickly

When something kicks off, don’t sit back, and wait for the story to take on a life of its own before stepping in. If there’s even a whiff of a scandal, issue a statement immediately explaining what’s happened and what your organisation is doing to put it right.

3.     Take responsibility

If your organisation is at fault, don’t lie, say ‘no comment’ or issue half-hearted denials.

Manage the situation professionally by issuing a statement taking responsibility, acknowledging people’s concerns and apologising.

Then follow-up with a plan of action. Share what steps will be taken to fix the issue and ensure it doesn’t happen again.

4.     Keep stakeholders informed

Keep your stakeholders (donors, funders, staff) updated as the crisis unfolds. Tell them what’s being done to manage it and by whom. If possible, have daily meetings or calls so everyone’s on top of the situation.

5.     Get professional help

If you don’t have anyone in your team with crisis communications experience, consider bringing in an external consultant to help you formulate a plan. After all, if a crisis gets out of hand, the consequences can be disastrous (as Kids Company proved).

Life would be so much easier if disaster struck with fair warning. But sadly, that's not the case. If you need a professional fundraiser with crisis comms experience, give Bamboo a call on 0203 750 3111

Four Fundraising Trends to have on your radar in 2023

Fundraising trends are ever-changing, and the charity sector is constantly shifting gears to keep up.

With this in mind, here are four fundraising trends to have on your radar in 2023.

1.     Fundraising flexibility for the win

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, people are rethinking how they spend their cash. As a result, charities are seeing a drop in donations. For some, such as Derby-based me&dee, donations have ‘ground to a halt altogether’.

Maria Hanson MBE, founder of the charity, said: “We recently lost five of our regular monthly supporters. This is our only set income, and therefore a massive concern.”

While the decrease in donations is not surprising, there is something you can do to hold onto your regular donors.

Enter flexible giving.

Flexible Giving

Research by PayPoint found that 64% of people who make regular donations to charity said they would welcome the flexibility to change the amount they donate and when they donate.

As a result, countless apps are popping up that put donors in control of how much they spend, when, and with whom.

Here’s the lowdown on just three of the many options on offer.

Toucan

Through the Toucan app, users can choose up to three charities to support.

They can donate to the same charities each month, or switch it up. And the amount and frequency can be changed at the touch of a button.

The ultimate app for flexible giving.

Buengo

With Buengo, people can sell unwanted items and donate the proceeds to a cause of their choice.

Sellers declutter, buyers bag a bargain, and charities raise more money.

Everyone wins.

Pledjar

When someone makes a purchase through the Pledjar app, Pledjar rounds it up to the nearest pound, and at the end of the week, the user can donate their accumulated ‘round-ups’ to a charity of their choice.

Users have full control over which charity they donate to and they can switch causes whenever they like.

2.     The Gift of Gaming

Gaming for Good refers to the trend of gamers raising money for good causes through playing video games. Typically, gamers record themselves playing and broadcast it live for others to watch online.

A few notable names in the gaming for good world are DanTM PewDiePie, and Jacksepticeye

Build a rapport with a gaming influencer in 2023 and you could see donations soar.

While we’re on the subject of influencers …

3.     Inspire through influence

Social influencers are digital creators with large, engaged social media followings, who have built a reputation for their knowledge or expertise on a specific topic. They use their authority to influence the habits, behaviour, and purchasing decisions of their followers by promoting brands, products or services on their social media channels.

Corporate brands have been utilising the power of influencers for years. But charities are just starting to recognise the value of influencer marketing, and are teaming up with influencers who want to use their influence for social good.

Take former Love Island contestant Chris Hughes. After signing up to be an ambassador for mental health charity CALM, he became the face of the charity’s #DontBottleItUp campaign, which saw him talk on video about how he deals with anxiety issues.

The video generated 120 million social impressions and 1.4 million views. CALM saw an influx of new supporters as a result.

With 29% of online donors saying that social media is the communication platform that most inspires them to give, it’s safe to say that charity-influencer partnerships will continue to grow in 2023.

4.     Peer-to-peer power

Did you know that peer-to-peer fundraising increased revenue by 30% between 2020 and 2021? That’s nine times the growth experienced from physical and hybrid fundraising.

Peer-to-peer or P2P fundraising is a strategy in which members of the public organise events or take on challenges to raise money on a charity’s behalf.

It’s an effective way for charities to tap into new networks of supporters.

With an ever-growing number of fundraising apps, the value of peer-to-peer will only increase as we move into 2023.

Final Word

That’s our take on fundraising trends for 2023. What would you add?