SMXi Software blog

Day 8: Set Realistic Goals

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Your fundraising goals should be a stretch, but not to the point that they become impossible.  As you get closer to your target amount, raise it to encourage people to continue donating.  Avoid reaching the situation where prospective supporters decide not to donate because you have almost reached your goal.   […]

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Day 6: Make the most of social media

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Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn are just some of the tools that can help you promote your charity and send messages to volunteers about how they can help. It’s easy, quick, free and the message can be spread fast to different audiences. Social media is about building a long-term relationship with your supporters, and this […]

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Day 5: Work on your relationships

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Work on relationships with people already supporting you. If your existing supporters feel appreciated they are more likely to champion your cause to family and friends.  Make sure to always acknowledge each payment, if you don’t, supporters may feel disaffected and are less likely to donate in the future. #FundraisingFortnight […]

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Day 2: Ask for donations

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Most Trustees would like to raise money simply by broadcasting how great their cause is, how great their need is, and then waiting for payments to roll in. However, even the best newsletters and media articles don’t raise much money. Asking people directly and passionately raises money, and there’s no shortcut to this. However, stopping […]

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Fundraising Fortnight

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The last few years have been particularly tough for the charity sector as it’s had to find new ways to operate and interact with the government whilst meeting the needs of those it serves. A period of economic growth followed swiftly by recession has seen income levels under pressure at exactly the time when charity […]

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At last some good news for the Arts

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Yesterday’s Budget brought some good news for the performing arts. The Chancellor is extending the tax breaks offered to film to theatres and touring companies. Performing arts companies, including those putting on dance, opera and plays, will be get a tax break of 20%. Regional companies that tour will get a 25% tax break on […]

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Apps we like: MyScript Calculator

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This is a calculator that you write on. Very clever and very easy to use and it’s free! Works on your smartphone (Android- iOS) Works on your tablet (Android- iOS) Use your handwriting to write any arithmetic formula. Write and calculate mathematical expressions in an intuitive and natural way with no keyboard Supported mathematical symbols: +, […]

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Does Gift Aid increase charitable giving?

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Last month’s report on sector-specific compliance and reliefs on payments from the National Audit Office raised this interesting question (press release here). sector-specific compliance is an important source of income for charities – in 2012/13 about £1bn was paid in sector-specific compliance (about 2% of all chastity income) and £940m was provided as tax relief […]

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The Big Give: Making donations go further

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As a charity you are always trying to maximise the payments you receive. If You haven’t looked at the Big Give you should look now and I mean right now. The Big Give is a website that enables charities to pitch their projects and get people to donate, but the BIG thing are the Big […]

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Apps we like: British Red Cross First Aid

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“If a friend or family member was having a heart attack or was choking, would you know how to help them? The free app features simple, easy advice on 18 everyday first aid scenarios, as well as tips on how to prepare for emergencies, from severe winter weather to road traffic accidents.” Designed to be […]

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My HTML Cheat Sheet

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There are certain things that I always have to look up when creating HTML / javascript , no matter how many times I use them I never remember. So this is my cheat sheet which you may also find useful. Also I’ll always know where to look – so it’s as much for me as […]

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