By Lucinda Brown and Kate Parkinson, of BDB Pitmans
Social distancing measures are easing, meaning more traditional fundraising events can take place.
This is excellent news for charities, but with fears of a recession it is essential for charity fundraisers to be both strategic and innovative in finding ways to secure their charity’s income.
Fortify and diversify
A lot of charities are taking a moment to review their sources of funding, and are taking steps not only to bolster and fortify what already works, but also to diversify where they see opportunities.
Corporate partnerships
Aside from individual donors, there are other areas to explore, such as corporate partnerships. It appears businesses are seeking to ensure their own CSR credentials as we emerge from a time when, at least for a little while, society seemed to pull together and businesses recognise that the impact they have on their community is important to consumers.
Beware the regulatory framework
To protect charities (and their intellectual property), corporate partnerships and sponsorship are regulated activities.
Fundraisers and charity trustees should remain mindful of the regulatory framework, as well as the watchful eye of the fundraising regulator, as part of their wider discussion.
Because donors provide their gifts freely to charities, this regulatory framework is far-reaching, with various pieces of legislation touching on the majority of fundraising territory. In working with individual donors, there is licensing legislation covering larger raffles and lotteries, and clear perimeters on how to conduct door-to-door fundraising.
Chief among these is the regulation of professional fundraising agencies who may run direct marketing or street collections.
Legacy income
Legacies in wills are often the most significant gift a person will make to a charity and as such it is important charities are considerate of a donor’s wishes for the legacy as well as the legal framework. Minimising the costs of any claim against the estate whilst protecting the legacy is also key where the will under which the legacy arises is contested.
We are offering refresher training in charity fundraising at 11am on September 9. Further details and how to sign up here: https://www.bdbpitmans.com/charity-fundraising-webinar.
Lucinda Brown is a partner and head of will and trusts disputes at BDB Pitmans LLP.
Kate Parkinson is a senior associate in the firm’s specialist charities and not-for-profit team.
Lucinda can be contacted at lucindabrown@bdbpitmans.com and Kate at kateparkinson@bdbpitmans.com.
Visit bdbpitmans.com.
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