Highlighted stories

The Rise of Digital Trustees

17th December, 2018 | By Laura Gabe

Following on from Cause4’s response to the Charity Digital Code of Practice, we wanted to expand the discussion on the need and the role of Digital Trustees in charities today.

Topics: 
Governance and Trustees
Culture change
Innovation

Looking Ahead: Cause4’s predictions for the charitable sector in 2019

14th December, 2018 | By Cause4 staff

2018 has been filled with some exciting developments as well as major challenges for the UK charitable sector. As the year comes to a close, the Cause4 team is looking to the future with their predictions for 2019:https://www.helpforce.community

An interview with Dorothy Wilson of mac birmingham

12th May, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

Rosy-Ross-I ask the Artistic Director and CEO at mac birmingham about the scope for city-wide strategic partnerships and how cultural organisations are stronger together.

Eight ways to make the most of your people

5th May, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

In 2011, a child called Caine set up a cardboard arcade in his dad’s garage. By chance, a filmmaker who stopped by to buy some car parts was inspired by Caine’s story. Five years later, Caine’s Arcade has had tens of thousands of customers and over $240,000 has been raised to send him to college. Caine isn’t the only person with a story.

Cut out the fundraising jargon

4th May, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

As we are all aware... the current funding climate is competitive. One example that illustrates this perfectly is the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. They give £25 million in funding each year but are still only able to fund 1 in 10 applications that are submitted to them. In this tough environment it is easy to feel pressured into being led by what we think funders want. This pressure can manifest itself in many ways, not least in our use of language when we describe ourselves and the value of our work.

Encouraging Legacy Giving to Arts & Cultural Charities

3rd May, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

Legacy giving can still feel like a taboo area for arts and cultural charities, but it really doesn’t need to be.

Legacies can offer fantastic opportunities to grow relationships with donors over a long period of time, away from the pressures of campaign deadlines or making very specific ‘asks’.

Firstly, why should a charity undertake legacy fundraising?

7 Tips for Crowdfunding Success

29th April, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

There has never been a better time to crowdfund. The ‘alternative finance’ market has doubled in the past year and this pace is expected to continue throughout 2016, according to research by Nesta. In fact, crowdfunding became so established in the last 12 months that the word was finally accepted into the Oxford English Dictionary in June 2015 (alongside hangry, man spreading and wine o’ clock!)

The Expense of Excellence – New tax relief for Orchestras

26th April, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

A key factor which I think all the Arts Fundraising Fellows have been learning over the past seven months is that in the funding game, every little helps. Therefore, I’ve observed how important it is to keep abreast of current affairs both social and political, so that arts organisations can always make the most of any new trends or opportunities as they arise.

How to fundraise with digital tools

22nd April, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

A review of “How to fundraise with digital tools”, a presentation given by Howard Lake for the Dorset Fundraisers Network at Dorchester Arts on 3 March 2016.

When I first mooted the idea of a digital fundraising training day with AMA Bespoke, the question in my mind was: “The range of digital platforms is incredibly overwhelming, so is it really possible for fundraisers working in the arts to use digital platforms efficiently and effectively to achieve their fundraising objectives?”

The Queen - 10 surprising facts in 90 years of charitable patronage

21st April, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

Happy Birthday to Her Majesty - the Queen celebrates her 90th birthday today, 21st April. At 90 years of age, the Queen is showing no signs of stopping just yet, and her charitable patronage over the years is formidable by many standards, longevity not least of them! Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn quipped in the Commons today that the Queen has “seen off” 12 Prime Ministers.

We thought it would be timely to present a brief round-up of some of the more surprising and interesting examples of her charitable patronage over the years.

Topics: 
Philanthropy

Self-Compassion for Fundraisers

21st April, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

6 months into life as a Fundraising Fellow and what an adventure it is. There have been wonderful moments of success but, inevitably, not everything always goes as planned. I am using my third blog to explore the experience of a disappointing outcome, and suggest how to move forward.

Over the past two months I have been submitting considerably large trust applications for a project. Despite feeling extremely enthusiastic about the project, as a chronic ‘over-thinker’ I have frequently doubted my capabilities and experience with writing applications.

Artistic Vision vs Fundraising Needs – How Do We Find the Balance?

20th April, 2016 | By Cause4 staff

In January 2016, Chancellor George Osborne attended the first anniversary celebration of the Creative Industries Federation. He spoke out to the cultural sector stressing the value of arts and culture as something that transcends its monetary value.

Topics: 
Fundraising strategy
Income
Partnership development