3 tips to help your charity thrive in 2021

This year charities have faced a huge variety of different challenges, which none of us could have predicted at the turn of the year. One of the prime predicaments being fundraising, and with events having been cancelled or postponed, core costs concerns have consequently been increasing over the last few months. Now, as we look towards 2021 charity leaders need to take a proactive approach and plan ahead when it comes to their fundraising, to place themselves in the strongest possible position for 2021.

Moving online

For many charities, the recent lockdown period will have thrown upcoming plans into disarray just as they were starting to get back on their feet. In the long run, this could have a huge knock-on effect when it comes to their income and achieving their long-term objectives. However, over the course of this year we’ve seen charities embrace technology allowing them to deliver their services and fundraising events online or from a distance. Whether it be an online coffee morning or the virtual Great North Run, we’ve seen some really inspirational examples of ingenuity over the last 8 months. Whether you’re hosting all of your events online in 2021, or making sure your in-person events can be moved to the digital world as a contingency plan, moving your operations online could be the way forward for you and your charity in the year ahead.

Working with other organisations

Recent research by Third Sector has suggested that there is a growing appetite for collaboration in the not-for-profit sector. By working alongside other charities who have similar goals, you can double your reach, resources and skills for fundraising. It's an easy way to pool your ideas together and gives you the opportunity to learn from one another and provide win-win opportunities for both charities and their beneficiaries. Whether it's hosting a fundraiser together, gaining volunteers and trustees, or securing a one-off donation, the benefits of collaborating with businesses can be far-reaching too. Working with organisations who share your values could be the solution your charity is looking for when it comes to hitting your targets, achieving your objectives and delivering the best possible service for your beneficiaries in 2021.

Looking at your cash flow

This year has been a real mixed bag when it comes to donations. During the first lockdown 59% of the public donated to charities, which is clearly a promising statistic for the sector. However, before the second lockdown was implemented, Third Sector’s research predicted that a quarter of charities were expecting their donations to fall by more than a quarter over this festive season. The Christmas period is a crucial time when it comes to both donations and the demand for services. But with various tier systems and restrictions in place, we could expect these statistics to be even higher in reality. By working closely with your advisors to create a robust cashflow forecast, the potential impact of a reduction in donations can be managed. Knowing when and where your funds are coming in from and going out can help to safeguard reserves and will give you a clearer picture of what your finances will look like going forward.

How can we help?

There’s no doubt that this year has been challenging and times ahead are still uncertain. But you don’t need to navigate the road ahead alone. We’re here to support you every step of the way. Get in touch to see how we can help you and your charity today.