The Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) has published a free booklet aimed at helping charities increase the focus on the supporter experience and harness generosity during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Fundraising in the Time of COVID” has been produced with the Supporter Experience Special Interest Group.
The booklet outlines 6 principles and suggested actions to help deliver the best possible experience for their supporters, and shares case studies on how charities, such as Child Rescue Nepal and GUTS UK, have used them.
The resource has been reviewed by fundraisers in a range of roles from large and small organisations across different sectors.
In June, it was estimated that the UK charity sector was facing a £10.1bn funding gap. Since then, almost half (47%) of the UK’s charities have revised down their financial forecasts over the last two months in anticipation of a tough winter ahead.
Angela Cluff, Chair of the Supporter Experience Special Interest Group, said:
“We’re delighted to share the principles and practical suggestions on how charities can put the supporter experience at the forefront of their fundraising in the extraordinary times we all find ourselves in.
“Now is the time to accelerate investment in the supporter experience. It is easy for us to fall into the trap of focusing on the money. If we focus on the experience the money will follow. So, the challenge is to orient ourselves to the experience, despite the pressures.”
Peter Lewis, chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, added:
“The beginning of COVID-19 was devastating for fundraising. Just as we thought we were beginning to return to a new normality, things are getting progressively worse again. The future is uncertain. The services provided by the UK’s causes are dependent on fundraising and that places a huge responsibility on each of us. There is a limit on what we can do.
“The Supporter Experience Special Interest Group has spent considerable time looking at the challenges our sector faces. How can we think about our supporters as partners to help us meet them? Experienced fundraisers have created this booklet to provide practical advice, which will help you. There are mountains to climb. But there is hope, possibility and opportunity.”
The booklet ‘Fundraising in the time of COVID‘ can be downloaded for free from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising website.
A further free-to-download resource, the environment focused “A Toolkit for Fundraisers” can also be downloaded from the Chartered Institute of Fundraising website via this LINK.
Source: UK Fundraising