News & Blog

Most charities know about and are using Gift Aid to increase their income from donations. However, there is one aspect of Gift Aid that is often overlooked

Over many years in working with charities on fundraising strategies, we had identified that a frequently under-exploited area was that of charitable legacies. This was particularly the case with small and medium sized charities.

In carrying out fundraising reviews over the years, we have come across numerous charities which have really not grasped the legacy opportunity.

The recent study into donor motivations featured earlier this month in the Chronicle of Philanthropy made for interesting - and potentially useful - reading.

So a DM agency has identified that adding a legacy info tick box to direct mail appeals reduces the cash response rate (3rd Sector magazine 16th March). Big deal!

At a recent CSR presentation by a UK bank, I was struck by the highly commercial attitude this company is taking to its community involvement.

The trend to outsourcing among UK voluntary organisations continues apace, but why is this? Firstly, there is often a major cost saving. Not only can a salary be saved, but the add-on costs such as tax, pension and administration can also be avoided.

As if the current recession was not tough enough already for trust fundraisers, the threat to the Lloyds TSB Foundations and the announced winding up of the J. Paul Getty Jr. Charitable Trust sound an altogether more worrying note for charities that rely on trusts.

The news that Oxford academic Toby Ord has pledged to give away £1 million during his lifetime - and is encouraging others to pledge 10% of their income to charity - made the national news recently.