Nova Fundraising's December Newsletter

'Tis The Season

?The festive break is nearly upon us and we know it’s not just Santa and his elves that are busy this time of the year, but also the hardworking people driving change in #smallbutmighty organisations.? December can be a manic time – trying to wrap-up that never ending to do list, squeezing in some festive fundraising (which we hope our December surgery helped with), having an eye on 2024 planning and planning for you your final quarter -if your year end is in March. ?And all this before you even think about your festive plans. Breathe! We’d really encourage you to think what CAN wait until January. If you don’t get everything ticked off that to do list by December (and spoiler we know we won’t!) that can be OK. Prioritise taking a well earned break to re-charge and prepare for 2024.??

In this month’s edition, we re-cap our most popular ever Open Surgery on Trust Fundraising with Bill Bruty (don’t forget to sign up if you are interested in our new collaboration with Bill in 2024), we’ll also be sharing some top tips and motivations on planning to make 2024 a roaring success!?

We feel really lucky and honoured to have worked with some amazing clients and causes over 2023 and would like to thank all those we’ve had the joy of working with, who have attended our monthly free surgeries and who read our newsletter. This year instead of cards, we have made a donation to two #smallbutmighty causes close to our hearts – First Days Children’s Charity and Brake.?

We’re certainly looking forward to the festive break, re-charging, spending time with family and friends as well as having the space to plan some new support services for charities in 2024 (watch this space)! On behalf of us all at Nova, we wish you a lovely break and look forward to seeing you in 2024!

Be Intentional!? Planning?for Success in 2024!

The new year can often mean a fresh renewed mind set?as well as?optimism and drive to make the incoming year your best yet. One of our favourite words at Nova Fundraising is ‘intentionality’. Why? Because if you don’t have a plan and?goals?it can be very easy to be pulled into lots of different directions, go down rabbit holes and burn yourself out. We also know how hard it can be to set those goals and stay on track, so here are some of our top tips?to?be intentional and gear up for success?in 2024!

Set some goals and targets:?You likely have a financial target for your?organisation, but how have you broken this down? Is it based on previous data and evidence of what you have achieved in the past? Is it realistic? Have you broken down the income into activity goals- such as how many events you need to hold, or new collateral you need to develop, or how many appeal asks you need to make and to who??Are your goals SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable,?Relevant ,Time-bound)? Measurable?Having a goal and?target?can be scary- especially if fundraising is new, but it can also help keep you focused and help you build your plan around it.?

Don’t Just focus on the ￡￡:?If your targets just focus on income, then we’d really encourage you to?think more widely. Firstly, it can be very daunting to just have that big figure looming over you. Secondly, you need to have?in place?and monitor a much wider range of?outcomesto track progress. For?instance?are you monitoring how many legacy enquiries and pledges you receive? Given that it could be a long time before you see a return on this form of income, monitoring other KPIs will help gauge if the dial is moving in the right direction and help keep you motivated that your work IS paying off.??

Plan Your Workload: Do you have a clear plan for the year, quarter month, week and even today? Breaking down those big tasks into small actions can be helpful and keep the end goals in sight. When Emma and Emma-Louise are together we’ll often share tasks and then prioritise them and divide and conquer. When you are alone it can be harder, but there are some great tools out there- whether you like to keep everything online (we are big fans of Asana to manage our tasks and projects) or good old fashioned paper lists and to do notes.?If you would like one of our FREE Fundraiser planning?spreadsheets?then complete this form?here.?Writing everything down and then prioritising them according to how urgent and important they are, according to your plan can help sort those small tasks which can wait to those big frogs to be eaten. We like the Eisenhower Matrix for helping to prioritise tasks – why not try it out- we have a free downloadable version?here.

Eat Your Frogs:?It can be easy to nibble at those lovely easy tasks when you have a long to do list, but what about those big horribly important tasks? You know the ones you put off but know you MUST get to! Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog every morning and that will be the worst thing that happens to you!”. Put simply- get that big task that you have been putting off done BEFORE any other work and everything else you do for the rest of the day should be a breeze. Sometimes getting started on these is the hardest and if you are anything like us you will think of any excuse and nibble at those non urgent tasks, like re-organising your?dropbox?folders?or re-writing your to do list! Don’t be distracted- carve out the time for some serious frog eating- put your phone on airplane mode, turn off your emails and just get started- once you do, you’ll find you will want to carry on and before you know it you will have eaten that frog and be feeling jolly good about it!

Be Accountable:?Still struggling to eat that Frog or get those key tasks completed??how about holding yourself accountable??By sharing?your important tasks?with a colleague, friend or?partner?you?can commit openly to doing that task and then ask them?to check in on you laterto see if you have done it!?Evidence suggests people are more likely to do something if they share with?each?other their plan to complete that activity.?So why not get an accountability buddy and you can help hold each other to account as well as be?each other’s?cheer leaders.

January Open Fundraising Surgery

New Year, New Financial Resolutions with Liz Pepler

Embark into the world of finance with Nova Fundraising's upcoming session, "New Year, New Finance Resolutions." We are delighted to welcome Liz Pepler epler, a small charity finance and governance specialistand friend from Embrace Finance , as our esteemed guest speaker. Liz will share with us those finance resolutions that have really helped her over the years.

As we approach the new year, it's the perfect time for small charities to reevaluate their financial management and set meaningful finance resolutions. Liz Pepler's extensive experience in the realm of finance promises to shed light on those quick wins and commons elephant traps that often come up for small charities.

This session is not just about financial management; it's a unique opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of how sound financial practices can enhance the overall impact of your charitable activities. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting in the world of fundraising, Liz's expertise is sure to provide valuable takeaways that can be applied to elevate your organization's financial health.

Join us on Friday 12 January 2024 at 11:00am for an engaging and informative session that will empower your charity with some of the knowledge and tools needed to make 2024 a year of financial strength and resilience.

A Year of Memories

?? Reflecting on a Year of Nova's Monthly Open Surgeries in 2023?

As we bid farewell to an extraordinary year of growth and shared knowledge, Nova Fundraising?proudly celebrates just over a full year of hosting Free Monthly Open Surgeries! Beginning in November of 2022, our virtual gatherings have quickly became a highlight of our monthly calendar and we hope they did for you too. We want them to be a source? of inspiration, insights, collaboration and meaningful connections. It's a small way that we can give back to the sector that we love so much and a way of boosting the #smallbutmighty!

So we wanted to take a little dive into the collective wisdom gathered from each session, where we not only had insights from Nova's only dynamic duo, but also industry experts and we talked on a range of diverse topics.?

As we look ahead to 2024, your feedback is crucial in shaping the future of Nova's Open Surgeries. Whether you've been a loyal attendee or just joined us once, your insights matter. Share your thoughts through our brief survey, as we strive to tailor our events to your preferences and make 2024 an unparalleled experience for everyone. We are on a?journey of continuous improvement and your voice and feedback?fuels?the engine that propels us forward into a year of bigger and better possibilities.?

?? Stay tuned for what lies ahead, and let us know how we can make your Nova?experience even more remarkable.?

1. November 2022: Social Media - with Louise Dillon .

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle:?Use everything your produce multiple ways - that way you can save time and get multiple pieces of content from just one effort. Quotes, videos, questions, newsletters?can all be made from just one blog post as an example. Make your work go even further and save yourself time!???

2. December 2022:?Small Charity Health and Well-being with Emma Low and Emma-Louise Singh.

Fundraiser's Wellbeing:?We are passionate about the wellbeing of Fundraisers at Nova and it was a topic we covered in November's newsletter. We have all heard the phrase 'You can't pour?from an empty cup' and you will not be as effective as you could be, if you are not taking care of your own wellbeing first.?

3. January 2023:?Just Do It! (Intentionality) - with Emma Low and Emma-Louise Singh.

Don't 'We'?all over?your copy!:?Our favourite?soundbite from our January Open Surgery.?Emma-Louise shared this nugget of wisdom that was passed?down to her and is a great reminder to make your communications donor-focused instead of organisation-focused. Remove the 'We' from all of your copy and?communicate Donor Love!??

4. February 2023:?Small Charity Prospect Research - with Emily Drayson .?

Get Comfortable with ￡￡￡:?Money is such a hard topic for a lot of people but a lack of confidence in?this?area can have significant impact. Although this will get better with more time and experience, make it a specific practise to get comfortable with these conversations.??

5. March 2023: Loving Your Donors - with Phoebe Thomas-Weeks and Emese Budai .

Personalise Your Communication: Take the time to understand your donors' preferences, interests, and previous interactions with your charity. Use this information to tailor your messages and show them that you value their individual support. Personalisation?can go a long way in making donors feel appreciated and connected to your cause on a more personal level. Whether it's a personalised?thank-you note, an update on how their specific contribution made a difference, or acknowledging special occasions in their lives, personalised?communication helps build a stronger emotional bond between your charity and its donors.

6. April 2023:?Fundraising Is?A Team Sport - with Emma Low and Jason Hodges . ?

Be The Culture Change That You Want To See In Your Organisation:?You have the power to influence change and create and promote the kind of culture that is fundraising friendly. Share & Inform, Provide Fundraising & Donor Stories, Communicate, Listen, and Make Finance Your Best Friend.?

7. May 2023:?Event Fundraising with Juliet Ellis .? ?

Take advantage of the post-event high:?Don't let all the momentum that you built go to waste. Follow up with attendees, volunteers, and supporters, ask questions, and most importantly, learn from each event so that you take forward with you new insight into improving any future events.?

8. June 2023: Google Grants - with Jamal Abbas . ?

Do fewer things really well:?Instead of spreading yourself too thin, prioritise doing fewer things exceptionally well. By narrowing your efforts, you can allocate more time and energy to mastering your chosen tasks. This deliberate approach allows for greater depth, expertise, and ultimately, greater impact. Remember, quality triumphs over quantity when it comes to achieving meaningful and lasting results.

9. July 2023:?Unlocking the Power of Legacy in Small Charities: Fundraising to Help Leave a Lasting Impact - with?Joel Voysey. ?

KPI's:?How do you know if what you are doing is making an impact? There is no sense in doing?loads of work, putting in time and valuable resource,??if you have no way to track or acknowledge what is working and what isn't.? KPI's don't have to just be about the ￡￡ - you can track number of enquiries, conversions, stories collected, gifts made or a number of other helpful indicators.?

10. August 2023:?Troubleshooting Your Fundraising Pains - with Emma Low and Emma-Louise Singh.

Being Authentic:?Don’t be afraid to talk as a human, tell the charity’s stories in your own voice; demonstrate how much you personally care and what impresses you most; and ultimately don't be afraid to share the charity’s reality.

11. September 2023:?Unlocking the Power of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems - with Owen Hughes FCIM MICRS .

Data Management and Quality:?Data is at the heart of any CRM system. Ensure that you maintain clean and accurate data. Regularly update donor information, remove duplicates, and segment your data for targeted communication. High-quality data will empower your charity to make informed decisions and personalise interactions.

12. October 2023:??Strategies For Success In?Corporate Fundraising - with Julia Worthington MCIOF(Dip) .

Value Exchange:?Acknowledge the current challenges in the business environment, such as the cost of living crisis and fallout from Brexit. Focus on providing value to potential corporate partners by addressing their pain points. Understand what they need and show how the partnership can benefit their reputation, staff recruitment, retention, and motivation.

13. November 2023:??The Reality of the New Trust Fundraising Landscape for Small Charities - with Bill Bruty .?

Understand Dunbar's Number:?The introduction of Dunbar's number emphasises the idea that meaningful relationships become challenging beyond a certain limit. Fundraisers should be mindful of the dynamics within their networks and the implications for building and maintaining relationships.

We hope you find inspiration in these top tips. We want to hear from you though so please reach out and share your views. [email protected]

Top Fundraising Hacks for December

Making Your Year End Count

As we reflect on our December fundraising surgery which was focused on providing last-minute tips to make your year-end fundraising efforts truly impactful, it's important to note that these valuable insights are not exclusive to the holiday season; they can be applied year-round. Our festive gathering brought together a wealth of knowledge and practical strategies to elevate your fundraising game. In this compilation of highlights, we've distilled the top five tips that emerged during our discussions. Whether you're gearing up for year-end campaigns or planning for other crucial fundraising periods, these hacks are designed to help you make every fundraising moment count.

1. Align Messages with Audience Resonance: Leverage the festive season by aligning your fundraising messages with what resonates most with your audience, drawing inspiration from successful larger charities like Action for Children and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

2. Innovate Beyond Traditional Approaches:?Embrace innovation and adaptation in fundraising. If traditional Christmas cards aren't your organisation's strength, explore diverse and creative engagement methods that align with your mission and appeal to your beneficiaries.

3. Continuous Evaluation for Growth: Monitor and learn from past successes, analysing the impact of activities like Christmas card initiatives. Embrace continuous evaluation to ensure growth and improvement, utilising case studies or beneficiary updates to showcase the tangible impact of donors' contributions.

4. Prioritise Donor Appreciation: Prioritise donor appreciation by identifying high-value donors and offering them exclusive opportunities. Personalise your approach, including events or meetings with beneficiaries, creating a unique and memorable experience that sets your organisation apart.

5. Tailor Communication through Segmentation:?Implement segmentation to tailor communications, ensuring different donor groups receive personalised newsletters or invitations. This focused strategy can significantly impact donor relationships during the holiday season, fostering a sense of special appreciation.

If you managed to join us as well, you will have received the gift of a fabulous Nova Fundraising notepad. Pop Natasha an email ([email protected])?with your address if you want one!

EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT! COMING IN 2024.........

Just a reminder in case you are interested, we are gathering interest in our upcoming collaboration with the incredible Bill Bruty and you can pop your details here to be the first to know! Sign up now with our Expression of Interest Form! ?? No obligation at all, just a way to let us know you want to be among the first to hear all the exciting details when we launch. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of something special! We can't wait to share more with you when the time is right!

Happy Holidays everyone. See you in 2024!