Fundraising tips from around the sector
Here are some top tips from fundraising professionals to help you plan for 2025.
2025 is fast approaching, and we’re sure you’re already deep into planning your fundraising efforts for the year ahead. To support you in building a solid strategy and setting your priorities, we’ve gathered a collection of expert fundraising tips from across the charity sector. These insights, creative ideas, and proven methods are designed to help elevate your fundraising efforts in 2025.
From mirroring your language to pinpointing your constraints, these tips will empower you to connect with supporters, maximise donations, and create lasting impact.
Michelle Benson, LinkedIn Coach and Trainer, on nailing it before you can scale it:
“Most fundraisers are tasked with growing income. If that’s you, what’s stopping you from being able to confidently grow yours. Where are your constraints? Are you struggling to get in front of new prospects? Do you lack a compelling vision? Do you have a retention problem?
All fundraising has to be attainable before anyone can grow it. You have to “nail it before you can scale it”. Make 2025, the year you honestly spotlight your constraints and task your leadership team to help unblock the blocks. Otherwise, the fundraisers will never escape the stress and pressure of compensating for whatever you lack.”
Jonathan de Berhardt Wood, Author of The Porcupine Principle and Director of Giving at the Church of England, highlights the importance of sending a hand-written card:
“This fundraising tip is inspired by the festive season, where all well brought up children write thank you cards for their presents without any cajoling or badgering by their parents whatsoever. Go to old school. Don’t email or text thanks for a donation, but occasionally send a hand written card. Spend time thinking about what to write, imagine yourself as the donor and what would you like the card to say? Slow fundraising has its place, it helps us focus back on the simple and essential place of communication in fundraising.”
Ken Burnett, Author of Relationship Fundraising and international fundraiser, talks about the value of prioritising culture:
“Focus at least as much care and attention on your organisation’s culture and character as you do on its strategy. Strategy is about you and what you want to achieve. Culture is about who you are, what you do and why people should support you. A donor-based approach to the business of raising money — what I call relationship fundraising — is a key part of your organisational culture vital to successful fundraising. At every level of your cause your leadership should buy into this approach, embedding an exemplary donor experience at the heart of every aspect of communicating with your supporters.”
George Knight, DSC’s Associate Trainer, discusses the importance of mirroring language in a grant application:
“Mirroring language in a grant application: When applying for grants, it’s useful to carefully review the funder’s website to understand their mission, values, and funding priorities. After finishing an application I will look again at their specific language and the keywords they use to describe their goals and impact areas. I then make sure I have incorporated this language thoughtfully into my application to demonstrate alignment with their objectives. Mirroring language can help show you’re attuned to their goals, which increases the likelihood of your project resonating with the reader.”
Neela Jane Stansfield, Consultant and author of Grants Fundraising, says timing is everything:
“It might be tempting to shoot off an application to a trust or foundation, but hang fire if you can – your success rate will be greatly increased if you take the time to really get to know your prospective funder first. Who are the key decision-makers? What are their motivations and interests? Can you find a connection between your networks and theirs? If you can do that legwork first, before asking for funding, you’ll improve both your application and your chances of getting the grant.”
Innovation, Impact and Inspiration – Our annual Fundraising Now conference returns for 2025!
Fundraising Now 2025 is a one-day intensive online conference that will equip you with actionable insights, tools, and strategies to boost your fundraising effectiveness, build stronger donor relationships, and stay abreast of current trends.
Join us for a day of expert-led sessions, practical workshops, and networking opportunities that will inspire and empower you to achieve the impact your charity needs in 2025 and beyond.
