# Are we getting it right? And who is? I Wish I’d Thought of That 2015

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/09/11/are-we-getting-it-right-and-who-is-i-wish-id-thought-of-that-2015/
- Published: 2015-09-11T08:48:57+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

**You don’t need me to tell you that charities, and fundraisers in particular, have
been getting quite a kicking in the media this summer.**

And while a period of sober reflection and introspection is important, an event 
like IWITOT was a brilliant tonic to remind us of the [brilliant fundraising ideas both old and new](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/02/06/effective-fundraising-ideas-for-charities-in-2017/)
that can inspire us. It reminds us of why what we do is so important, and why we
need to celebrate and learn from the excellence around us.

The brilliant concept of IWITOT is that presenters do not talk about their own work,
but instead focus on the fundraising of others. It feels liberating, and it reveals
an underlying passion for the sector in all the speakers. It’s not just a job.

## Advertisement

> Today's [#IWITOT](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWITOT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> line-up. About to start! [pic.twitter.com/xeE4H6RoE8](http://t.co/xeE4H6RoE8)
> — Richard Sved (@richardsved) [September 10, 2015](https://twitter.com/richardsved/status/641959065107759105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

 That’s why Paul Amadi’s presentation about [Friends of the Earth](https://www.foe.co.uk/)’
s ‘Are we getting it right?’ campaign sent just as charities seemed to be most under
attack particularly struck a chord.

Here was a charity that didn’t hide below the parapet as many others did, but had
the courage and showed leadership in reaching out to its donors, with excellent 
results.

> "They showed real courage & leadership" Paul Amadi on FOE'S 'Are we getting it
> right?' campaign at [#IWITOT](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWITOT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [#yes](https://twitter.com/hashtag/yes?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/9bLG5FkHIv](http://t.co/9bLG5FkHIv)
> — Richard Sved (@richardsved) [September 10, 2015](https://twitter.com/richardsved/status/641969557184344064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Other themes that came through prominently:

• **Learn from fundraising history** – Going back in time, Matthew Sherrington told
us about Oxfam’s fundraising back in the 60s; Simon Burne regaled us with stories
and unfortunate impersonations of 19th century Scottish philanthropist [William Quarrier](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Quarrier);

Sam Butler rattled (geddit?) through a history of the collection tin; and Tobin 
Aldrich spoke about the Foundling Hospital appeal in the 18th century, for whom 
[Handel “invented the benefit concert”](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/09/11/are-we-getting-it-right-and-who-is-i-wish-id-thought-of-that-2015/www.handelhouse.org/whats-on/.../handel-and-the-foundling-hospital).
The relevance of their respective fundraising innovations shone through.

• **Look out for innovative use of technology** – Stephanie Drummond spoke passionately
about how [Penny for London’](http://www.pennyforlondon.com)s contactless donating
can reach the millennial generation; Georgia Bridgwood introduced [Donate Locate](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/04/09/three-fundraising-apps-for-april-2015/),
an excellent interactive app to support homeless people:

> Inspirational day at [#IWITOT](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWITOT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> hearing innovative ideas from top fundraising figures. Thanks for having us [@SOFIIisHOT](https://twitter.com/SOFIIisHOT?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/nR36WHEzlS](http://t.co/nR36WHEzlS)
> — One Water | UK’s Leading Ethical Hydration Brand (@onewateruk) [September 10, 2015](https://twitter.com/onewateruk/status/642006505638731776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Sandy Luther showed us superb “[Social Swipe](http://www.digitalbuzzblog.com/the-social-swipe-charity-donation-billboard/)”
billboards where the act of swiping your credit card down the middle of the screen
to make a donation affected the image on it (eg slicing bread to donate); and Louise
Sparkes spoke movingly about Lifeboats’ [Launch Alerts](http://rnli.org/aboutus/lifeboatsandstations/Pages/Lifeboat-launch-alerts.aspx)
SMS texting service alerting donors in real time when ‘their’ lifeboat is out saving
lives. But all of these ideas were less about the tech and more about immediacy,
and about how charities can reach donors going about their everyday lives.

> [#IWITOT](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWITOT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) Love
> the [@RNLI](https://twitter.com/RNLI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) text alert. And not 
> just cos my gt-gt-gt-grandad was a lifeboat hero. In a cork life jacket. [pic.twitter.com/gUtY4wJsGn](http://t.co/gUtY4wJsGn)
> — Matthew Sherrington 💙🧡 (@m_sherrington) [September 10, 2015](https://twitter.com/m_sherrington/status/642006071951925249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

• **Run campaigns that reach out to people emotionally** – Reuben Turner spoke 
movingly about Centrepoint’s long-running [“Did you see Sophie?”](http://www.madeyousomething.co.uk/centrepoint/)
newspaper advertisements: We might miss her photo earlier in the paper, just as 
we might walk past her in the street;

> "Good fundraising understands people's emotional needs, & meets them" Reuben Turner
> on Centre point's ad at [#IWITOT](https://twitter.com/hashtag/IWITOT?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
> [pic.twitter.com/bIZg1qdwq9](http://t.co/bIZg1qdwq9)
> — Richard Sved (@richardsved) [September 10, 2015](https://twitter.com/richardsved/status/641975769485414400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Lisa Clavering told us about how the Dog Trust’s sponsor a dog campaigns builds 
powerful relationships with dogs (who all have different handwriting, apparently);
and Alexandra Aggidis explained how [Jack Draws Anything](http://jackdrawsanything.com/)(
The little boy with the big art) brought a “warm and fuzzy” feeling to supporters,
particularly through tapping into nostalgia; and Ben Swart amused us with the hilarious
and touching _Help the Oma_ campaign, where hidden cameras revealed that when an
old lady needs help, people do show how great they are. The message? “You are great,
but you don’t always know it. And supporting us will help give you that feeling.”

But I felt Laura Croudace’s personal tribute to [Humans of New York’](http://www.humansofnewyork.com)
s storytelling and fundraising to be the most inspiring (and I wasn’t alone, for
she won the audience vote).

Laura’s ‘take home’ lesson for us? Gather personal stories, because we all have 
them, and we identify with them. Tell a story every day. It will resonate.

Humans of New York undoubtedly ‘got it right’ – and we can all learn from their 
example.

## More IWITOT

 * **[IWITOT 2015 showcases three up-and-coming fundraisers](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/08/12/iwitot-2015-showcases-three-up-and-coming-fundraisers/)(
   12 August 2015)**
 * **[Are we getting it right? And who is? I Wish I’d Thought of That 2015](https://fundraising.co.uk/2015/09/11/are-we-getting-it-right-and-who-is-i-wish-id-thought-of-that-2015/)(
   11 September 2015)**
 * **[I Wish I’d Thought of That. I want to talk at that!](https://fundraising.co.uk/2014/07/05/wish-id-thought-want-talk/)(
   5 July 2014)**

 _**Richard Sved** is Director of [3rd Sector Mission Control](http://www.3rdsectormissioncontrol.co.uk)._