The March 2017 CAF survey found that nearly 20% of charities are ‘struggling to survive’, yet the  FSI Skills Survey 16/17, published at almost the same time, found that only half of trustees are actively involved in fundraising.   Admittedly, many trustees find fundraising a challenge.  One way of responding to this is to not focus on what trustees cannot do, but rather on what their legal obligations are and what they can do, then support them in doing so. 

Outlined below are 3 broad areas of fundraising responsibility for trustees, which you may wish to cover in your induction brief for new trustees.  The 2nd half of the article focusses on how trustees can support you directly through a range of other opportunities.  Nothing spectacular and new in here, but there's something for everyone, so perhaps a useful checklist to table at a board meeting or for your trustee induction process?   

Firstly, the Charity Commission guidance (CC20) makes clear that fundraising is a board responsibility.  It lays out 6 key principles – a very good starting point.  Equally, the Institute of Fundraising has produced a practical guide for trustees and has its fundraising code of practice, and the Charities Commission, HMRC, the ICO, the and others issue guidance.    

Be aware that there are a whole range of other laws that impact on fundraising activities.  Trustees will wish to ensure that there are adequate systems in place and working.   

But that’s not the whole story – this is issue goes far beyond legal compliance.  Of the CEOs surveyed for the CAF report, 35% said their charity had to use reserves last year to cover budget shortfalls and 86% expect to see demand for services grow over the next year.  Driving fundraising growth is critical to protecting increasingly vulnerable services.  Regrettably, all too often, some people still see this as ‘not my problem’.  Even trustees and senior staff who are responsible for making clear that it is and without whom it won’t be.  The chair must ensure that trustees recognise that fundraising is a priority and the responsibility of everyone in the charity, and get behind the CEO and fundraisers to create a fundraising culture.    

Equally, whilst some fundraisers are brilliant, others can be masters of obfuscation – these are usually the ones you really do need to ask the right questions of.  Are fundraising reports easy to understand, do they focus on the key issues, both financial and non-financial, and the action being taken to address these?   

There are a whole range of ways in which trustees (and volunteers) can support fundraising.

For individuals, there are a range of tax efficient giving opportunities. 

Using Gift Aid, charities can claim back additional income from HMRC (as long as the donor is a UK tax payer) and, if he/she is a higher rate tax payer, they can claim this portion back for themselves. 

There are also tax efficient opportunities around the donation of shares, land, buildings and in wills. 

For companies, charitable donations can be used to minimise tax liability.  Not only on financial donations, but also equipment, stock, land, property, shares, sponsorship and seconding employees.   

For example, supporting in pitching to staff through company magazines for donations, or through payroll giving schemes.  

Senior staff in major companies are sometimes allocated funding that they can donate to a chosen charity. 

Some larger companies have charity trust funds and internal support can be extremely helpful in securing funding.

Encouraging staff to organise or take part in challenge events to raise not only funds, but also promote the company and build team working and moral.

Non-cash donations of goods – for example, support from food and drink companies to help with the cost of events.  Charities also buy a wide range of goods, usually at retail prices, such as food, IT, office furniture and carpets.    

Pro Bono support for services – for example, construction, marketing/PR, sales, HR, H&SW, IT support and training, but also a whole range of others.   

Volunteering – many companies encourage volunteering and may be able to offer specialist skills you might otherwise have to pay for.  

There are a variety of charity recycling schemes for printer and photocopier cartridges and old mobile phones.  All you need would be for the company to agree to promote and distribute collection boxes that are collected by the provider.

You can create your own web shop via a range of companies, who can help with leaflets/posters etc.  Individuals are able to make purchases from a range of retailers at no additional cost, and sometimes with discounts, and the charity receives commission in return. 

In a similar vein, E Bay for Charity supports charities.  Anyone can give to your charity when they sell on eBay. Sellers can donate between 10% and 100% of each item's sale price. PayPal Giving Fund will collect the donation from the seller, claim Gift Aid (if eligible) and pass 100% of the money on to you.

Everyone has a personal network and, potentially much more valuable, many of us have professional or business networks with commercial companies, the Media and, possibly, high net worth prospects or trusts/foundations.  Having this conversation with trustees or suitable supporters during recruitment/induction, or circulating prospect lists to the board can be very useful. 

Even if individuals don’t have suitable contacts, they can still help by attending fundraising events and talking to prospects or, if appropriate, accompanying the CEO/fundraisers to meetings with trusts or prospects.      

Trustees and volunteers can also promote your work to the Media and influencers in your community.  Actively encourage them to do so and provide them with support/material they might need. 

For some, this may only be getting an article published in the company newsletter or similar, displaying a poster or making leaflets available in the workplace, but it all helps. 

Also, encourage them to join your social media networks and to like and re-post/re-tweet your posts to raise your profile and build your followers.      

I know it's not easy but, sometimes it's not easy for them either, so listen to them about what they might feel able to do and then give them ideas and support them.  After all, you're getting paid and they aren't.