Over the years we've heard a lot of good reasons for not fundraising, however none more frequently or more strongly put than the potential negative outcome of the EU referendum.
Surprising then, that since the financial crisis of 2008 during a period of unmatched uncertainty, our group have actually handled some of the UK's most effective fundraising projects by focusing on these 7, basic 'home truths':
Do It Today!
The level of urgency in Third Sector organisations is usually too low to correctly address their far reaching, monetary requirements. Members, paid personnel, as well as Trustees are commonly ready to settle for the status quo, satisfied with tiny gains, rather than transformational adjustment. It is amazing how stable and satisfied some charities can be, in spite of an accepted need to 'bring in the money'.
To transform this way of thinking-- concentrate first on creating an authentic feeling of urgency-- concentrate your core supporters on the minimal time available to accomplish meaningful objectives, instead of token, step-by-step advancements in fundraising performance.
Respect Your Volunteers
The two words guaranteed to shut off time-poor, over committed individuals, are 'fundraising' and 'board'. Not-for profit's that nurture, instead of 'exhaust' volunteer leadership can attain remarkable fundraising outcomes.
Be brave, make a promise to stand down your volunteers once the job is done.
Generate momentum by establishing a precise period over which the money will be raised. Active individuals will then consent to get engaged, safe in the knowledge of when this dedication of their precious time will actually end. The old adage that the job will expand to fill the moment given, applies in fundraising too.
Givers Have The Power
Overcome a fascination with obtaining the widest possible participation in the fundraising process and instead become inspired by how brand-new investments in your charity will ultimately be used.
The enthusiasm of your team for a 'transformational' vision is crucial, so fuel that passion, build a commitment to the future and demonstrate that they have the power to make it all happen. By giving as generously as they can, they will be able to motivate other people to join them in making your shared vision come true.
Deal With Facts
Engage your volunteer askers with prompt and concise reports, composed of relevant data.
Your fundraising team should find out from week to week the number of approaches for gifts have been made, just how many are still to be made and most essentially, precisely what needs to be done to attain the next target. Facts provided in a positive way, will focus effort on the most crucial steps that need to be taken to reach target.
Produce Short-term 'victories'.
Significant fundraising campaigns require time to win. To build confidence and maintain interest, create intermediate goals to be achieved, like enlisting the required number of fundraising staff member or securing the participants required at your information events. These 'way-markers' give valuable points from which to chart the project's performance, highlighting much more than just the amount of money that has been banked to date.
As the 'way-markers' are attained, confidence will certainly build that the supreme target will be reached. "Success brings success" and these short-term victories will absolutely help you keep the 'naysayers' from claiming that absolutely nothing is happening!
Take Care Of 'success' Effectively
Early celebration after a major gift or other accomplishment can encourage your team to get complacent and relax wishing that someone else will raise the remainder of what is required. So be prepared and use your 'wins' to highlight just how much more still has to be achieved to attain your goal. Click here for more tips hlf bid writers.
Communicate With Energy
Your transformational vision needs to be presented, reinforced and represented, to ensure that there can be no doubt regarding precisely what is being recommended.
In our experience it's simply not feasible to over-communicate with a community of supporters about how crucial funding is to your organisation's future. But please, be mindful with when and how frequently they're invited to give.
It's not difficult to say that now isn't the right time to fundraise. If it's not the EU referendum or a financial crisis, then other powerful justification can typically be found.
In the long run no matter the dominating financial environment, the choice to meet a monetary difficulty with a collective fundraising initiative must be based upon an urgent and engaging vision of what your not-for-profit group can do to serve its community. By placing these 'home truths' right into action, you can go on to achieve your funding objectives now, while other people watch and await more certain times to come.
Following the vote in June, various charities have been looking for our advice concerning the impact of the decision to leave the EU. In addition, some organisations have found their projects placed in very unpredictable scenarios, with applications to funds such as the ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) pending and no strong or consistent guidance from the Government or regional LEPs regarding whether or not the financing streams will still come to fruition. 
Whilst at this stage nobody knows with assurance exactly what the impact will be, we would certainly suggest that charities faced with the difficulty of an unknown result from European funding comply with these key steps: