At this challenging time for fundraising, particularly for smaller and local charities, 3SG and Bath Fundraiser's Group is launching a pilot campaign to encourage local giving this winter.
Each year, research indicates that more people tend to give at Christmas (e.g. www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/over-40-percent-of-people-more-likely-to-donate-at-christmas-survey-finds.html) but with strong marketing campaigns from larger and national charities, it can be hard for our local charities to cut through. With the continuing decline in the number of givers across the UK, this is also an opportunity to inspire more charitable giving and promote the extraordinary impact this has in our local communities.
As part of our festive #GiveLocally campaign, a Festive Giving Directory will be made available on the 3SG website and promoted to encourage local people to give to local organisations. We are inviting local charities to submit their Christmas Campaigns to the Directory here. More details can be found at the bottom of this article. You can also use #GiveLocally and the logo to take part.
Reasons why giving locally makes even more of an impact at this challenging time for so many:
Strengthening our communities
Local charities and groups are at the heart of our communities so by supporting reliable and trusted local organisations, you are investing directly in our local communities with insight, understanding and knowledge on how best to help people and places in need. Local organisations are accountable to their communities.
Visible impact
By giving locally, you can directly see the impact first hand in our local communities and the tangible difference that the support kindly provided by you, and many others, achieves. Being able to see the change and where the money is going locally not only reinforces the impact of your giving but also encourages others to support locally too.
Sense of belonging
By supporting local organisations, you are part of a local community that cares for each another and strengthens our neighbourhoods and resilience. Empathy with local communities means you can offer meaningful support and get involved in issues that are personally relevant to you. Giving locally builds your connections and interactions with your local communities - your neighbours will benefit.
Flexibility and adaptability
Local organisations have an in-depth understanding of the challenges that our communities face and with local support, can be flexible and responsive to adapt their approach to build on strengths and opportunities to meet local needs at the right time. You can support and get involved in ‘problem solving’ that feels tangible.
Efficiency
Local organisations are often coping on tighter budgets and are highly skilled at ensuring they can be more effective, impactful, and run with lower overhead costs compared to larger, national organisations. A small gift can have a big impact, and make much more of a difference to a smaller organisation, and often you will feel valued and recognised more.
Volunteering
Local organisations achieve so much more through the involvement of volunteers, and can involve young people and provide learning opportunities to help the next generation understand compassion and the impact of volunteering and giving. You can give your time, energy, skills and knowledge as a volunteer, and/or support local organisations to empower more volunteers to support our local communities and achieve positive change, raise awareness and advocate for change.
Boosting our local economy
Local giving also helps to stimulate the financial health of our communities and build a sustainable local economy. The organisations you support employ local people, buy and use local resources, own or rent spaces in local communities, and support local people at times of crisis or when they need support with their health, wellbeing, skills and development, confidence, to find shelter, safety and/or recover from trauma, and to tackle food, fuel and other forms of poverty and disadvantage.
If we've missed anything, please post in our LinkedIn Group here or email isobel@nspimpact.org.uk.
Festive Giving Directory
Please submit information about your organisation's festive appeals, activities, wish lists, volunteering opportunities etc. to include in the Festive Giving Directory here. You will then be sent a draft of the page for your organisation including those links to check and edit. The directory will go live on the 3SG website later in November.
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