Getting started
We’re big on telling the truth – warts and all – so what better way to help you make your mind up about street fundraising and prospecting than to walk you through the steps you’d need to take to pull a campaign together. Regardless of which agency you choose to work with, the stages outlined below should make it a cinch to get the ball rolling.
If you have any questions or want to discuss your requirements, get in touch - otherwise, let’s start at the start:
Your budget
You may have already allocated a set amount of budget for face-to-face fundraising or prospecting. On the other hand you may simply have a target number of new donors or supporters that you want to recruit. Whatever the case, the key is making the best use of your fundraising budget.
Comparatively speaking fundraising and prospecting offer excellent returns, and best of all you only pay for what you get. In a nutshell, it’s less risky than other forms of fundraising.
Have a play with our return on investment calculator to help you with those all important sums.
Action point
Decide what you want your budget to be, or how many donors you want. You could use our calculator to see how different forms of fundraising compare for your cause.
When
Click the profile that best suits you to work out when you should conduct your campaign:
A. I'm a charity with budget available at the start of my financial year and would like to benefit from the income as soon as possible.
You should conduct the campaign as soon as your budget becomes available at the start of your financial year. You could even get going earlier and agree with your agency to pay them later on. Equally there’s no right or wrong time to run a campaign, but since responses can differ from cause to cause, it’s best to choose a time that makes sense to you.
Action Point
Decide when you want to run your campaign.
B. I’m a charity who has no formal budget for face to face but would like to use any spare funds on this method.
The end of a charity’s financial year tends to be a good time for spare funds, so it might be worth planning a campaign around then. Equally, there’s no right or wrong time to run a campaign, but since responses can differ from cause to cause, it’s best to choose a time that makes sense to you.
Action Point
Decide when you want to run your campaign.
C. I’m a charity who has limited resources to deal with the administration involved.
It may suit you to conduct a campaign at a consistent volume throughout the year so that you’re able to handle the administration that’s involved. Equally there’s no right or wrong time to run a campaign, but since responses can differ from cause to cause, it’s best to choose a time that makes sense to you.
Action Point
Decide when you want to run your campaign.
D. I’m a charity who would like face to face to be integrated with other forms of fundraising.
You could focus your campaign around your charity week or other activities like a DRTV or mailing campaign. There’s no right or wrong time to run a campaign, but since responses can differ from cause to cause, it’s best to choose a time that makes sense to you.
Action Point
Decide when you want to run your campaign.
Where
Our permanent teams of fundraisers can reach just about any location on the map from one of our national offices. Take a look at our locations map for more detail.
You could choose to conduct your campaign in an area where you have lots of services - that way there will be some familiarity with your cause amongst members of the public.
You may want to use face-to-face or prospecting at an event - like a festival or an organised event.
And if you're keen to mystery shop your teams, it might be sensible to choose an area that you can reach fairly easily
Action point
Decide where to conduct your campaign.
PFRA & FRSB Membership
The Public Fundraising Regulatory Association was set up in 2001 to provide regulation for users and providers of face-to-face fundraising and prospecting.
Gift was heavily involved in the set up stages of the PFRA and continues to this day to hold a seat on the Executive Board, Chairing and holding London Sites Matrix meetings and attending service provider meetings.
Gift is an accredited member of the PFRA and all our staff adhere strictly to the PFRA code of conduct.
It’s also a smart move to register with the Fundraising Standards Board, guardians of best practice across all types of fundraising activity. Joining the FRSB means your orgranisation is committed to abiding by the the rules of conduct established by this recognised government body.
Action point
If you are interested in any form of face-to-face fundraising or prosepcting it’s important that you become a member of the PFRA. Get hold of their online membership form here. It’s also wise to join the FRSB – the form you need is here.
Appoint your agency
This one should be a doddle - choose us!
But the truth is it's important that you obtain quotes, references and credentials from other agencies before making an informed decision.
The point is, you have to feel comfortable with your agency and the way that they conduct their business.
But if you're wondering why our clients have chosen to work with us, we don't need to be asked twice:
- We're innovators - we inaugurated prospecting and introduced PDAs
- We love what we do, plain and simple
- We have years of experience and know all the possible pitfalls
- We're experts but we're constantly learning and adapting
- We don't pay our fundraisers commission
- We accept payment in arrears
- We are a one-stop shop for street campaigns - from recruitment right through to the welcome process
- We can fundraiser pretty much anywhere in the UK
- We take responsibility for attrition, and constantly develop strategies to beat it
- We have a strong financial track record - Finance Directors and Trustees like us
- We have happy and enthusiastic fundraisers who really are passionate about making a difference to the world
Action point
Decide who to appoint and get in touch if you'd like to know more.
Wondering where we fundraise? Play with our map to find out.