News & Blog

On holiday in Devon recently, I visited the famous Donkey Sanctuary. Two things struck me. Firstly, entry was free - a great way to attract new donors from around the country. Secondly, on the walls around the site were huge boards naming their legacy donors, year by year.

Tesco and some other big retailers recently came under fire for not paying young people on work experience schemes, yet this is exactly how some well-known charities behave when they take on unpaid interns.

Legacy marketing can be a bit "us" and "them" can't it? We the charity ask them the supporters for a donation, using marketing techniques to overlay and crunch the data. We segment and target prospects that match the best profiles to give.

Last month at the IoF West Midlands conference, Liz Loudon brought a useful reminder of the importance of effective language in fundraising. In an excellent presentation, she gave valuable tips on making an impact with appeal writing.

We would like to welcome new clients Women and Children First and the Rudolf Steiner School in Kings Langley, as well as thanking existing clients Graeae Theatre for retaining us again.

A friend of mine is currently enduring the nightmare of sorting out the affairs of an aged relative who has died. It is the last thing she needs and is very frustrating. The relative had been told to make a will but never did.

The shock resignation of Amanda McLean as CEO of the IoF has come at a difficult time for the Institute, as it is also still seeking a permanent Chair of Trustees. I was present at an IoF event last Monday...

Every couple of years, the tabloid media target charities that 'waste money on fundraising and administration'. So what can you do to protect your charity from this charge?

From 2011 Wootton George Consulting is aiming to become carbon neutral. To support this goal, we will be planting a tree for every new client contract we won during the year.