# Not didactic, this time, but almost unbelievable examples of success

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/04/14/not-didactic-this-time-but-almost-unbelievable-examples-of-success/
- Published: 2020-04-14T16:31:53+01:00
- Author: Giles Pegram CBE

**In my [last blog](https://fundraising.co.uk/2020/04/01/why-we-as-fundraisers-have-a-duty-to-engage-with-our-supporters/),
I extolled the virtues of tackling the current fundraising challenges by focusing
on the experience you could be giving your supporters rather than the activities
you were cancelling. I realise that I was somewhat didactic; telling you what you
_must_ do rather than making suggestions. I make no apology. You were very generous;
I received not a single criticism nor challenge.**

 

 

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But I was talking about principles. Beliefs which I hold dear. I didn’t have any
concrete examples to back up my beliefs.

 

 

 

A week on, Richard Turner does. Almost unbelievable ones. Quite marvellous ones.
I confess to having had a frisson of pleasure whilst watching this. I had been proved
right, and beyond my wildest dreams. I strongly urge you to spend just thirty minutes
of your life watching Richard’s webinar. It is jam-packed with illustrations, interviews
and real-life examples, and based on different insights about why donors give.

 

 

 

I won’t spoil it for you but let me give two of his examples.

 

 

 

One fundraiser sent the charity’s supporters a very neutral message.   If they wanted
to reduce their regular giving, or indeed take a ‘payment holiday’ that was absolutely
fine and was understood.   However, he also gave those who were in a position to
do

 

 

 

so, the opportunity to upgrade. 

 

 

 

I was totally amazed by the response.   **For every one person who down-graded or
stopped, 100 upgraded.**   I had to double-check the number of zeros. I assure you
it’s right.

 

 

 

Another fundraiser, at very short notice, changed the appeal the charity intended
to make, to one which focused on the impact Covid-19 was happening on the people
the charity was set up to help. They got **more response in the first day than they**

 

 

 

**would have expected in six weeks**.

 

 

 

These are not exaggerations. Nor are they special. They are merely examples which
show how supporters will respond, in these awful times, if you ask them nicely.

 

 

 

Please watch, listen and open your mind to what is possible.

 

 

 

**_Giles Pegram CBE_**

 

 

 

_7.iv.2020_

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