Planning for post-COVID fundraising
It’s not news that the charitable sector is struggling during this pandemic, with only a quarter of charities estimated to have enough reserves to last three months. The fundraising plans we created for 2020 have flown out the window, but the income targets remain.
Many of our clients have said that the future is still too uncertain to make a firm plan for post-Covid fundraising, but there are activities that you can be doing in the meantime to ensure that you are in the best position to increase your income in the months ahead. Acting now will help lay the foundations for your recovery plan.
Keep in touch
Your current funders will appreciate an update on how you are currently delivering your programme and how you’ve adapted your projects to support your service users. Funders will want to be assured that their grants are still being well-spent and this may well help you to be successful during future funding rounds.
This is also an opportunity to communicate with your wider supporters/the general public though project delivery updates on your website and social media.
Research Funding Criteria Changes
When you are contacting your existing funders to see if they are offering additional short-term funding for their grant-holders, it is worth asking them if they are starting to think about if/how their funding criteria might change in the medium-term. This information will be valuable when planning changes to your projects and delivery methods.
Track Your Service Users’ Changing Needs
The information that your service users are telling you will be invaluable when planning changes to your project delivery and applying for future funding.
Qualitative information about what your service users have asked for and how their needs have changed can be expressed through quotes and summaries of conversations you’re having. This information can help to add a ‘human element’ to your new grant applications and case for support.
It’s also important to have a process for collecting quantitative data about how the demand for your services is changing. For example, how many calls you are receiving about your services compared to last year, how many people are visiting your website, new types of service users, etc.
Collect Data on the Changes to Your Projects and Delivery Methods
Some of the changes that you are making to the way you are meeting the needs of your service users out of necessity could become permanent as we start to get back to normal.
Start collecting information about these changes now about and you will find this information helpful when you are ready to plan for your post-Covid activities. Having this data will also be key to post-COVID fundraising when it comes to writing persuasive funding applications.
Ensure you are monitoring how you are delivering your programme in new and innovative ways and the new project needs that have arisen.
If you’d like more information about how to maximise your fundraising during the pandemic, we’ve created a Covid-19 Checklist.
And remember that we are here to help in any way you need us. Please get in touch if you would like to speak with one of our fundraising consultants about your plans or concerns. Craigmyle has long-standing experience – from fundraising for heritage to fundraising for churches.
