Choosing a new fundraising database can be time consuming and overwhelming. Of course, the knowledge that long-term productivity will increase with more efficient systems in place can’t be overlooked. But as anyone working in a busy fundraising office …

We understand how overwhelming it can be for a charity to choose a new donor database, CRM or supporter management system. Irrespective of the systems and procedures already in place, transitioning to a new platform (regardless of how …

Major and community events are the most effective way to collect donations, say thank you to donors, build supporter engagement and build your brand in the community. While 2020 has seen many changes to the way events are …

The donation page is a single webpage used to raise awareness of a charity, campaign, or current appeal. Whether you have a website or not, the donation page is standalone and more targeted than a website and can …

Email is undoubtedly one of the best ways to reach a fundraising audience. Not only is it cost-effective, you can also track valuable data such as click-through-rate, email opens and remove from lists requests. This data helps a …

During times of economic uncertainty, charities must focus on the top end of the giving pyramid. As we know, there is nothing higher than future planned giving, otherwise known as the bequest program. Guaranteed future income is the …

When economic times are uncertain, the obvious strategy is to concentrate on donors at the higher end of the giving pyramid. Major donors have the potential to make more of an impact with their gift with less output …

2020 has already been one of the most unsettled years for charities across Australia, and indeed, the globe. While life is slowly starting to return to its new version of normal, the rest of this year and the …

A website is often the first step in building the relationship between charities and potential supporters. Whether someone is Google searching, deliberately looking for your site or has stumbled across it through another form of marketing, your website …

As the world starts to move towards its new version of normal, charities will undoubtedly feel the impact of COVID-19 long into the future. Staff may be returning to the office, the appeals might still be running as …

For many charities, this recent period of unrest may have been about little more than survival. As the world slowly started to close, many have found themselves struggling to stay afloat. At SupporterHub, however, during these unprecedented times, …

For many, it currently feels like the charity sector has recently ground to a halt. With community fundraising strictly off limits and donors becoming more discerning with their luxury spending, 2019-2020 budgets are anything but on target. The …

Take it online: Six steps to a successful tax appeal when direct mail is no longer practical As charities adjust to a new normal during the COVID-19 crisis, one element that can’t be overlooked is the looming end …

As the planning for the last fundraising push of the financial year is well underway, a global pandemic such as the current COVID-19 crisis will undoubtedly disrupt timelines and plans. We’ve been asked many times whether charities should …

There’s no denying fundraising is a frontline profession. While much of the work required to manage successful programs is completed behind the scenes, face-to-face engagement (including community events) is critical to fundraising outcomes. Unfortunately for charities, in these …

We understand the developing COVID-19 crisis is a worrying time for charities with many being forced to react on a daily and even hourly basis. Charities form the backbone of the community so it’s in our interests to …

With the coronavirus (COVID-19) on the verge of becoming a pandemic (edit, as of March 11 The coronavirus outbreak has now been labelled a pandemic by the World Health Organisation), the world is watching on in fear as …

Digital fundraising utilises developments in technology to create fundraising campaigns and systems that are faster, smarter and more effective for charities. While adopting digitally based protocol isn’t a new concept, for many, digital fundraising is a relatively unknown …

As of March 2020, not a single cent of the $51 million (approx.) raised by Celeste Barber’s Facebook campaign back in January has been spent on those affected by the bushfires that ravaged Australia. Now, this is certainly …

Harnessing the power of data in a fundraising environment can breed the misconception that charities lose a valuable connection with donors. When relying on figures and numbers, many believe that donors become just a number in a report, …

Sophisticated developments in digital technology over recent years really do mean that the world is our fundraising oyster. Digital campaigns and processes within a professional fundraising environment allow a charity to reach donors quickly and for relatively low …

As an ongoing funding source, grant income can be one of the most difficult to predict. With successful applications depending on the pool of funds available, the trust or foundation’s primary purpose for that particular round, and the …

Online fundraising covers a broad spectrum of internet platforms used to raise money digitally.  Online campaigns can take many forms including peer-to-peer giving, email and social media campaigns, and traditional website giving.  Established charities will usually adopt a …

Taking fundraising into the future can be a nerve-wracking journey for charity leaders. While developing programs, systems and initiatives is a gradual process, change is often met with resistance and can cause short-term disruption leading to a temporary …

Corporate sponsorship is a partnership opportunity that benefits both businesses and charities alike. As a charity, attracting the sponsorship of local businesses through a monthly or annual giving program will help build future income and contribute to sustainability. …

At the time of publishing, Australia is in its fourth month of the worst bushfire season in the country’s history. The current death toll (January 2020) stands at 28, 1.25 billion animals have been wiped out, and an …

The start of a new year is always a time filled with promise for a charity. Energy levels have been restored. Staff are motivated. And with a blank canvas for the year ahead comes a time to do …

As any charity leader can attest, outgrowing systems can quickly become a drain on both time and resources. Processes become clunky, data integrity is at risk, and efficiencies are compromised as the team becomes reactive rather than strategic.  …

Structured and well thought out monthly giving programs are the building blocks of successful fundraising. In a sector where countless worthy causes all vie for the donated dollar, monthly giving is a reliable program that can help predict …

Successful fundraising that helps a charity achieve its mission doesn’t begin and end with the donated dollar. Donors play a critical role in keeping the wheels of a not-for-profit turning, and they must remain engaged continuously to build …

You created the campaign. You shared the hashtags. And now you’re reflecting on what was, we hope, a successful Giving Tuesday that will have a powerful impact in helping your charity or non-profit further achieve its mission. Giving …

A donation landing page is a single web page containing all necessary information about a current appeal. The landing page is often standalone to the website and contains only the specific information required to encourage prospective donors to …

The Fourth Industrial Revolution can be defined by the extensive use of cyber-physical systems that are quickly taking over every area of personal and professional life. Algorithms and the internet control cyber-physical systems which profoundly distort the boundaries …

Giving Tuesday is in its seventh year as a global campaign initiated by the United Nations. In response to the consumer culture created by Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday promotes spending in a much more positive …

As the season of giving reaches its crescendo, it’s time to organise the Christmas e-appeal. You’ve worked hard all year and this is the last opportunity to roundup 12 months of hard work and for one final fundraising …

Five easy ways to embrace digital technology in the fundraising office You already know that developments in the digital space are the way to your donor’s giving hearts. You’ve learnt all about new technology, and you know that …

SupporterHub is a low-cost platform for change that increases efficiencies for charities which rely on fundraising for income. As a supporter management tool, SupporterHub is a data-centric application featuring marketing automation capabilities, website and payment integration, supporter insights …

SupporterHub is an integrated supporter management and fundraising platform that maximises the capacity of charities to increase the impact of their cause. Understanding the need for an integrated system that combines technology with Supporter management and a fundraising …

Bequests are the pinnacle of the fundraising pyramid and for a good reason. While many fundraisers still find it uncomfortable to talk to a donor about leaving a gift in their Will, helping a supporter decide to leave …

Anyone with experience in a non-profit environment will tell you there’s a lot of behind-the-scenes work involved in keeping the wheels of a charity turning.  The long hours. The tireless battle balancing income and expenditure. The emotional investment. …

Regular giving is the fundraising program that arguably achieves the highest return for the lowest output.  An automated regular giving program allows better budgetary forecasts, increases donor engagement, and reduces administration costs. Once a donor has committed to …

When it comes to donor management software, we understand that charities which rely on fundraising for income have a lot of choice. Donor management software has been utilised as a platform for charities to streamline processes and build …

While appeals and marketing material are central to fundraising communications, the plight of a worthy cause isn’t the only form of messaging that leads to a charity’s success. Building a strong brand is a central element that helps …

According to recent research published by Pro Bono Australia, the number of Australians giving to charity is declining year upon year. Rightly so, these findings are of grave concern for not-for-profits which rely on donations for income. With …

Capital campaigns, or bricks-and-mortar campaigns as they’re often known, usually refer to fundraising campaigns that go above and beyond the general budgetary requirements of a charity or not-for-profit.   Capital funding is generally earmarked towards a new building, an …

Central to the success of any fundraising campaign is the connection a charity builds with its donors. Whether a one-off community event or a professional team running structured fundraising programs, donor connections are at the core. In a …

A case for support is a high-level document that provides the foundation for which all philanthropic support is received. While a potential donor may not request to see a case for support before making a pledge, the document …

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a method of engaging with supporters who fundraise within their network on a charity’s behalf. Increased digital capacity and the power of social media have provided tools for peer-to-peer fundraisers to achieve exposure that leads …

In 100% of cases, a charity is founded and led through the early days by someone with a sincere desire to improve outcomes for a vulnerable social group, and the solution on how to do it.  As the …

Impact investment is a relatively new concept designed to improve social outcomes for a charity while offering a financial return to a company or full-profit investor. An impact investor will allocate funds to a charity to increase capacity …

Donor acquisition must remain a priority strategy for small to medium sized charities looking to increase their impact on society. According to research published by Giving Australia in 2016 and summarised by The Prime Minister’s Community Business Partnership, …

Impact measurement is one of the most significant markers of a charity’s success. With a responsibility to report back to those invested in supporting delivery of your mission, impact measurement should be conducted concisely and often to meet …

Charity events are more than just an opportunity to raise funds. While showcasing the plight for support and encouraging attendees to donate is a focal point, events also provide the chance to strengthen your cause by building a …

Paid Facebook ads are a relatively modern marketing tool that can add an extra dimension to a multi-layered fundraising strategy. In June 2016, Facebook changed its algorithm making it harder for business and charity posts to achieve visibility …

It’s easy to assume you know your donors well. You ask for support; they say yes or no.  Or, you ask for money, and sometimes they don’t respond. Donors contact you to change their mail frequency, let you …

Building an audience and maintaining an active and effective social media presence is not as easy as it used to be.  Rewind the clock little more than two years, and a few cleverly-constructed captions on some sporadically uploaded …

In today’s digital age, there’s no escaping the need for a user-friendly, functional website. With mobile phones and personal computers providing 24-7 access to the world wide web, a charity website can tell your story, raise significant capital …

With the best of intentions, charities are rarely established with streamlined processes in place, ample resource and access to appropriate equipment. Regardless of the current income bracket of a charity, an active non-profit has grown from a seed …

It’s an unfortunate yet realistic sign of the times that donor’s giving online using their credit card or payment details, may be concerned about the security of their information. Online hackers are becoming more sophisticated, and in today’s …

While there are no hard and fast stats on the ideal donor retention rate, put simply, the higher, the better. While focus mustn’t waver too far from an organic acquisition strategy, the disparity between the cost to acquire …

Use of video has become an essential medium for modern-day fundraising. Regardless of dwindling budgets and potentially a lack of expert resource, there’s been a definite shift towards using video to create compelling fundraising campaigns and share vital …

Christmas is undoubtedly ‘the most wonderful time of the year’ to work in a charity. Good news messages are shared in abundance. Giving increases as donors rise to the challenge of delivering essential support to causes that can’t …

Millennials – born anywhere between 1981 and 1996 – are renowned for their technology-based lifestyle. With the world at their fingertips largely since the day they were born, millennials could swipe before they could talk and are unlikely …

By the time you get to the stage of arranging a demo for your new CRM, it’s likely you’ve been studying your donor database options for a while. Weighing up pros and cons. Analysing features and specifications. Comparing …

As a fundraiser or CEO of a charity, it’s easy to get into the mindset of ‘ask, ask, ask’. Yours is a worthy cause and, obviously, all support is welcome. That said, the well-known adage ‘charity begins at …

While there’s often a direct conflict between emotional and data-based fundraising, there’s no doubt that the different approaches can complement each other to create systems that generate positive outcomes for fundraising campaigns. Although there’s no doubt that your …

Data-driven fundraising is not a new concept. As fundraising programs have become more structured to meet the demands of the ever-evolving modern-day charity and its donors, the merits of using data to increase results and efficiencies within fundraising …

At the heart of any community organisation which relies on charity for income is a team of willing and able volunteers. Volunteers have a heart for a good cause. They have a wide range of skills you can …

As we hurtle towards yet another New Year, now’s the perfect time to start planning your 2019 fundraising strategy. Your donor’s needs are evolving in line with developments in technology, and they’re looking for convenience in all areas …

It’s common in today’s digital world for businesses to reach out to online influencers to help effectively attract their target audience. Online influencers can help bring awareness to a brand, engaging with their followers or subscribers and inspiring …

The digital and mobile future is fast becoming our present-day reality. From mobile websites to mobile payments, and everything in between; consumers now spend more time using their mobiles than they do a desktop computer. As mobile grows …

In 2018, it’s essential that as a charity or not-for-profit, your website is user-friendly, functional and gives those who visit what they’re looking for at the click of a button. The 2018 Global NGO tech Report states that 92% …

Has your charity been looking for progressive ways to boost engagement with your members and potential donors? Would you like to raise more awareness of your charity and fundraising campaigns while improving business relationships? If so, perhaps consider …

Artificial intelligence (AI) will play a crucial role in the future of fundraising. Thanks to the revolutionary developments of AI technology, this innovative digital tool will empower charities and offer a wide range of new solutions that allow …

There’s no doubt that telling a compelling story is at the heart of any successful fundraising campaign. Sharing the ‘why’ for your cause is the crucial element that attracts an audience and keeps them engaged. Sharing the stories …

Grants available from trusts and foundations, local councils and the state and federal government are a potentially profitable fundraising income stream that charities often put into the ‘too-hard-basket’. Complex, in-depth application forms. Time-consuming coordination and follow-up. And not …

Migrating years of data and records into a CRM might seem overwhelming and filled with more risk than benefits. Re-designing all the systems that have taken years to build after spending so long gathering momentum could feel like …

Round up apps are a progressive solution that puts loose ‘back-of-the-sofa’ change to good use. The user links mobile technology to their bank account and sets their own rules for every transaction. For example, any purchase up to …

Smart data and analytics allow charities to track their fundraising income monthly, weekly, and even daily if necessary. Key performance indicators linked to specific goals and objectives will provide visibility on data to increase performance and encourage your …

Running a not-for-profit is not for the faint-hearted. While your core mission may have originated from a desire to solve a specific social problem to improve the circumstances of those less fortunate, as your organisation evolves, a tender …

According to the 2018 Global NGO Technology report, 93% of NGO’s worldwide have a Facebook page. 93%! Across the globe, most, if not all of your competitors vying for the attention of donors (who also have the capacity …

As anyone who’s ever stepped foot in a busy fundraising office can attest, generating financial resources to sustain and grow a not-for-profit organisation is no easy feat. Not only must you maintain minimum levels of income to keep …

At the base of the fundraising pyramid are a vast number of one-time or potential first-time donors. They’ve shown an interest in your cause but haven’t yet entered a stable relationship with your charity. Further up are the …

While the primary objective of an appeal letter is to encourage someone to make a donation, written communication also serves, just as importantly, to build relationships with prospective and existing donors. Everyday use of language is often ingrained …

Receiving a major gift is a momentous occasion for any charity. Not only does a major donation give an immediate injection of much-needed cash, major gifts are often the first step in a long journey of significant support …