5 Top Tips for Creative Fundraising – By Henrietta Hopkins

On Monday I was at Valence House Museum running the second of three training days for Barking & Dagenham’s Heritage Services as part of Creating Capacity’s In-House offer.  At this session we were working through the theory and practice of a sustainable funding plan.  We had a brilliant day.  The team produced collages to describe the challenging context in which we’re all operating and had time to think laterally about how their fundraising plan was going to be sustainable; feasible; effective and engage all their communities of interest.

Valence House Museum: Anderson Shelter

A great moment was when an Anderson Shelter was delivered during one of our breaks.  For me it highlighted what dynamic places museums are, constantly renewing and refreshing what they do for the benefit of users.  This requires a lot of creative fundraising to make sure this remains possible for the long-term -especially in challenging economic times.

On top of that its budget day (in case you’d forgotten!) and economic squeeze is on all our minds.  So I woke up thinking I would summarise Hopkins Van Mil’s top tips for creative fundraising.  Here we go!

1. It’s all in the plan

Having a knee jerk panic reaction to raising funds is completely understandable.  But not very sensible.  Taking a planned approach means everyone in the organisation will know what your objectives are, how you are going to achieve them, and when you’ve been effective.  You can find more help with fundraising planning here.

2. Play to your strengths

Your organisation will have staff and volunteers with skills and experience of enormous value to the fundraising plan.  Make sure you know what these are, building on what you do best and taking steps to mitigate against any weaknesses.

3. Don’t focus on one funding source

It is essential in a recession (and good practice at all times) to make sure you have a diverse pot of funding sources including statutory bodies, trusts and foundations, businesses, and private individuals.  Equally don’t only think about cash.  You may find that gaining someone’s expertise, time and commitment is as important to the long-term sustainability of your organisation as a cheque.

4. Understand funder motivations

Just because a funder has money it doesn’t mean they’ll fund your organisation’s work.  Research the needs and motivations of funders, that’s the only way you’ll know if your organisation is a good fit for the funder and for your organisation.  Keep the information gathered in a consistent fashion to which everyone can contribute.  Remember that the primary motivation for funders is usually ‘belief in the cause’.

5. Wrap it all up

Because your fundraising is all part of a plan you’ll have embedded monitoring throughout.  You’ll have excellent evaluation measures so you’ll know what you need the outcomes and the impact to be. So our final top tip is to make sure you wrap this stage in the cycle up nicely.  Thank all the people you need to thank – especially supporters who have given time and money and make sure you celebrate success.  It’s time to review what you’ve done and think how the plan will carry on being effective for your organisation.

Hopkins Van Mil has developed a number of resources on fundraising from which these top tips are drawn.  We’ve also got tasters on engagement and marketing.  Have a look and let us know what you think.  Anita and I really appreciate your feedback.