fundraising

We’ve gathered our top 5 On-Demand sessions this month so that you can see what’s been popular in our community. You can check out the sessions by clicking on the thumbnails below.

It takes a lot of different things to ensure that fundraising is successful in an organisation: talented people, adequate budget, a convincing case for support and often a drop of good luck. But there’s something else that too often gets overlooked: organisational culture.

During our training courses and strategic planning work, we talk a lot about the importance of having a whole-organisation approach to fundraising and a fundraising-friendly culture – but it can be difficult to explain what this really means.

For me, a fundraising-friendly culture is when everyone in your organisation – whether that’s five, 50 or 500 people – recognises the importance of good fundraising to the bigger picture of your work, understands all the little things they can do to support your fundraising efforts, and feels motivated to play a part.

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Nikki Bell, Co-Founder of Fundraising Everywhere and Creator of Pizza For Losers is joined by Josh Leigh, Co-Founder of Hynt and Matt Middler, Transformative Coach to discuss the transformative power of embracing and learning from failure.

The trio dives into their personal experiences, share impactful stories from previous Pizza for Losers events, and highlight the significance of creating safe spaces for candid conversations within the fundraising sector. Get ready for an honest, inspiring, and fun-filled conversation that also teases insights from this year’s exciting Pizza for Losers event.

We’ve gathered our top 5 On-Demand sessions this month so that you can see what’s been popular in our community. You can check out the sessions by clicking on the thumbnails below.

A new generation are redefining what generosity looks like. Fia Ewings explores how charities can close the Gen Z engagement gap through transparency, digital-first experiences, and authentic relationships that turn values into action.

I’ve been thinking a lot recently about my first proper fundraising role.

I was one of two fundraisers in a small organisation. And when I say small, I mean small. My “office” was a spare bedroom in a housing estate that had been converted to a business park.

The kind where you’re never quite sure if you’re meant to be working or apologising for being there… I had to make a business case to buy a hoover.

But despite being scrappy, we had big ambitions. Proper, change-the-world kind of stuff. Having seen the work in person, I knew how much it mattered.

But day-to-day? I was scrabbling around in the dark.

I knew what we were trying to do. I just didn’t always know what to do next.

The charity sector is built on purpose, fairness and a desire to make a positive difference. But there is an uncomfortable truth we still need to acknowledge. As a sector, we’re not as diverse as the communities we exist to serve.

Recent research from Charity People and Oxford HR, Beyond Representation: How diverse is the charity sector?, shows that while some progress has been made, momentum has slowed in key areas. For fundraisers, this is not just an internal people issue. It directly affects income, influence and long-term sustainability.

Finding new donors and reactivating lapsed supporters is a huge challenge for any charity. However, Age Action in Ireland wanted to give it a try. Their recent direct mail appeal combines a long letter with hardworking lift pieces and a super matched giving offer. 

In doing so, they have created something special. The appeal is emotive and starts a conversation between the donor and the supporter. 

US-based fundraiser Pamela Grow recently said, ‘lapsed donors are not lost causes’ and this appeal proves she’s right. Keep reading to find out how Age Action reactivated lapsed donors, recruited new ones and secured large average gifts too!

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has issued guidance on the new “charitable purposes” soft opt-in under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR). This allows charities to send certain electronic marketing without explicit consent, but only in limited circumstances.

If your charity relies on Meta ads to attract donations, fundraisers, legacy giving leads, or campaign supporters, you’ve probably already felt the impact of rising advertising costs.

Meta’s Q4 2025 earnings report (I read these things so you don’t have to) revealed an average of over 14% increase in the average cost per ad served in Europe last year. In our review of 2024’s Earnings Presentation we predicted a CPM rise between 10-15% in 2025, and as upsetting as it is to have predicted correctly, assuming the trend continues in 2026, as it has done for almost 3 years running, charities could reasonably expect a further 10-15% rise. That means your cost-per-acquisition (CPA) will increase (and your ROI will fall) unless you improve conversion rates (CVR).

Why does a payment channel strategy drive better management, greater value creation and ultimately greater impact?

Because generosity starts with a “yes”… but value starts with a payment.