Funding Masterclass: Localgiving.com

Sonal Shah & Anna HorsleyThe London Community Foundation

Changing environment

• Grant funding from local authorities/government is being reduced

• New world is opening up – private sector• Private sector can offer:– Long term support and loyalty– Be amabssadors– New networks– In kind support

• But the private sector does have it’s downsides– Not as straight forward to approach/engage with– Competition is fierce– Need for good donor care

• Online giving is on the rise

Localgiving.com

• Online giving website – with featuers• Direct web address, post code search, issue

based search• Cheaper than justgiving (£72/year = £1.50 a

week)• Gift-aid • March Match challenge success• Community Foundation involvement

Setting up your page – things to think about

• Contact Anna at LCF • Think of how you’re presenting yourself

– Language– Photos– Testimonials– Stories of individuals

• Remember who you’re competing against (Oxfam, Cancer Research etc)

• Think objectively, approach it as a donor• Examples of how a donation would work • (£5-£200)

Basics

• Website (if you have one)• E-mail signatures• Letters• Business Cards• Trustees, management committee, staff,

volunteers, existing donors• Annual report, any publications• Spread the word

Attracting new donors

• Leafleting campaigns• E-bulletin/mass e-mail out• Local press• Research local business• Cold approaches• Match challenge• Spread the word fundraising

Social Media

• Facebook• Twitter• LinkedIn• Youtube• Test them out, don’t be afraid

Ongoing – donor care

• Thank your donors• Demonstrate the impact• Update your LG page + social media sites• Cultivate relationships• If it’s possible, encourage donors to come see

your work – invite them to events/site visits• Don’t be afraid to ask for more

Finally...

• Won’t happen overnight• Talk to us/LG for help• Come to our training sessions• SIGN UP!

annah@londoncf.org.uk