How to fundraise effectively in tough economic times

Welcome to our September 2008 e-briefing.

As the credit crunch tightens its grip on our nation

should your charity keep asking for money? Should your charity set performance targets regarding fundraising as well as their programmes? How can your charity strengthen its online fundraising efforts?

These are some of the questions we seek to address in this month's e-briefing and our new fundraising trend spotter blog. I hope you will find the information and insights provided useful in your work.

Every blessing,

Redina Kolaneci

McConkey Johnston international UK

Last week CAF published the results of a survey of CEOs of small, medium and large charities which suggested that the slowing of the economy is having a huge impact on charities.

Here are some of the key findings:

- 72% of those interviewed said that demand for their charity's services has increase in the last 12 months.

- Almost a third of the charities surveyed (30%) have seen individual donations fall and a further 30% have seen no significant change over the same period.

- Inflation is also impacting on charities with 71% seeing their costs increase.

- A clear majority (88%) of CEOs expect charity income to drop over the next 12 months and three quarters (75%) believe the country will enter an economic recession.

The need to aim higher: How to lead successfully in the volatile years ahead

by Larry Johnston, PhD
McConkey ·Johnston international

Should charites set performance targets when it comes to fundraising communications as well as their services or programmes.

At a time when competition for funds is more intense than even before and when levels of sophistication of both charities and donors are increasing what are the key factors that will determine success or failure?