Fundraising team of the year
Howard Lake | 23 May 2013 | Blogs
For any team or department that, through the nature of teamwork, has achieved considerable and recognisable success.
The shortlisted entries are:
- Action for Children
- The Myton Hospices
- THGI
Action for Children
In the mid-90s fundraising was described internally as ‘a necessary evil’, and by March 2010 annual net income had slumped to an all-time low of £6.9m. When NCH became Action for Children, the old culture of a ‘charity with a fundraising department’ changed to ‘a fundraising charity’.
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Fundraising performance has been transformed through the creation of a culture of success, innovation, constant improvement and commercial responsiveness. In two years annual net income has increased to £11.4m with RoI improving from 1.62 to 2.31. Innovations include my.actionforchildren.org.uk, a website that allows donors to support projects in their local area, which has raised more than £700k through recruiting regular donors at less than £50. Action for Children’s success would not have been possible without strong teamwork, both within fundraising and across the organisation.
As well as financial achievements cross-departmental projects have improved the organisation’s practice and reputation. A completely new set of fundraising policies and procedures have been implemented and financial processes have been streamlined to improve accuracy and speed. Supporter satisfaction. LTV and data accuracy have improved, complaints have dramatically reduced and supporter materials are dispatched on time.
In addition to regular team meetings and a bespoke training programme, everyone meets annually for two days of reflection, learning and celebration.
The Myton Hospices
After the Myton Hospices won the COTY partnership with BBC Radio Coventry and Warwickshire, the whole fundraising team got involved to make the partnership work. Team Myton’s enthusiasm and energy never waned during the entire duration, and the team still carried on its usual fundraising with team members doing extra hours in their own time to keep it going.
TMH has a policy of working together to maximise opportunities and no department works as a silo. Team successes are celebrated, and during the partnership the nurses and doctors, chefs and cleaners were all drafted in, as were patients and their families. This was the first time the clinical and fundraising teams had worked together, and since the partnership the nurses and doctors have continued to be involved in fundraising. £114,000 was raised in direct income from the partnership which also attracted a huge amount of PR.
THGI (The Hall Get Involved)
Exeter Street Hall in Brighton is used by local people of all ages for a range of purposes from tea parties, Boy’s Brigade and wedding receptions to baby Zumba. THGI is a community group established in December 2011 after St Luke’s Church decided to sell the hall, and raised £178,000 in just 18 weeks. Initially THGI were given until 31 October 2012 to raise £200,000, although this was later extended to 31 January 2013 and the price reduced to £150,000.
A fundraising strategy was developing incorporating a community share offer and other forms of support – corporate sponsorship, community fundraising events and business donations. The Community Share offer raised 90% of the total and gained more than 800 shareholders. Research by a petition and a Community Needs Analysis and feedback showed there was strong support for the campaign and that the hall was seen as an essential resource. A high visibility brand was developed with a clear message and a creative programme of activities to demonstrate the future of the hall.
The team of 40 volunteers and ad-hoc helpers worked tirelessly on the campaign. The volunteers met with the management team monthly and in teams more regularly, enabling things to be done quickly and efficiently. The residents of Prestonville demonstrate incredible passion and commitment and delivered an amazing result for their community.
About Howard Lake
Howard Lake is consultant editor of UK Fundraising. He founded the site in 1994 and successfully sold it in 2022. As director of Giving X Ltd he is exploring growing giving on a massive scale.
He is the founder of Fundraising Camp and co-founder of GoodJobs.