The Art of Donor-Led Events

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Simon Scriver sits down with Georgia Aker, Head of Events at Spinal Research and Fundraising Everywhere member, to unpack one of the most impressive events fundraising growth stories we've heard. When Georgia joined Spinal Research post-COVID, the charity was bringing in around £100,000 annually from events. Fast forward to 2025, and they've raised £630,000—a 6x increase in just a few years. But here's the twist: they achieved this growth while losing over half their London Marathon places (from 170 down to 80) due to ballot changes. In this conversation, Georgia shares: - How they used "zero-risk" event partnerships to expand their portfolio without upfront costs - The game-changing impact of introducing first fundraising targets (which added £100K in year two alone) - Their approach to converting cold event participants into long-term supporters - Practical tips on Meta advertising, relationship building, and managing a lean events team - How they're making events more accessible across all budgets and fitness levels Want to dive deeper into events fundraising strategies? Join us at the Events Fundraising Conference on January 29th for more case studies, practical how-tos, and expert insights. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Simon Scriver sits down with Angie Turner, Senior Philanthropy Manager at the Children's Trust, to explore the art of donor-led events and building sustainable major gifts programs. With over 30 years of fundraising experience, Angie shares her journey from being in foster care to becoming a successful fundraiser who has built a £700,000 annual major donor program from scratch. She reveals the secrets behind her most successful fundraising strategy: donor-led pledge dinners that have raised up to £100,000 in a single night. In this episode, you'll learn: - How to organise donor-led events that turn guests into long-term supporters - The power of the "pledge moment" and why asking on the night is so effective - How to identify the right people to host events (and why not everyone is suited for it) - Practical tips for contact mapping and guest list development - How AI tools like ChatGPT are transforming fundraising workflows - Why relationship-building remains at the heart of successful fundraising, even after 30 years Angie also discusses the challenges facing fundraisers in 2025, the importance of cross-team collaboration, and how the Children's Trust raised a record-breaking £240,000 during the Big Give Christmas Challenge. Dive deeper at our Fundraising Events Conference on Thursday 29th January Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Through the lens of working with around 20 organisations annually on their high value events portfolios, we’ll share learnings from the last 12 months. If you’re responsible for raising money through events for major donors/HNWIs, join Rebecca Elcome, Managing Director of Coveted Crates as she explores how to make the most of these experiences to build meaningful relationships with new and prospective donors. Key learnings from this session: Trends and learnings from 2024 events season How to use these and your own learnings to inform future plans How to ensure you maximise the opportunities post-event and build lasting donor relationships Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast, host Simon Scriver sits down with Jake Massey, the winner of IWITOT 2025 (“I Wish I’d Thought of That”). Jake, Senior Innovation Executive at the RSPCA, shares his journey to the top of this year’s event and reveals the story behind his winning idea: the RSPB’s viral “Bird of the Week” TikTok campaign. Tune in as Jake discusses how a fun, meme-driven social media campaign turned into a fundraising and branding phenomenon, generating not just revenue but also national buzz and community engagement. Discover the power of creative risk-taking, the value of sharing ideas across the charity sector, and why collaboration and innovation are more important than ever for fundraisers. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

This session, presented by the National Bereavement Service (NBS Bereavement Services: Free Support for Bereaved People) will raise delegate awareness and understanding of bereavement, grief and loss. The session will provide content that will enhance best practice when working with bereaved people. Those attending the training will be supported to reflect on the nature of sensitive conversations that they may have with bereaved people who may be donating in memory of someone who has died, or those who are leaving a legacy, perhaps due to a life-limiting or terminal diagnosis. This session is suitable for anyone in the charity fundraising sector who is supporting and communicating with people who are living with bereavement. Agenda Overview of Bereavement, Grief and Loss Improving Communication with Bereaved People Signposting and Supportive Resources The Importance of Resilience & Self-care At the end of the session, in addition to gaining insight and knowledge, you should feel more comfortable and confident engaging in sensitive conversations with empathy, compassion and care. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Are you stuck in an echo chamber? In this episode of the Fundraising Everywhere podcast, host Simon Scriver is joined by Steven Dodds, Managing Director of Beautiful Insights and Nick Barthram, Founder of Firehaus to explore how echo chambers form within the charity and nonprofit sectors—and why breaking out of them is essential for effective fundraising and communication. Together, they discuss: - What echo chambers look like in fundraising and organisational culture - The risks of making assumptions about donors and supporters - How to use research and real-world testing to challenge internal biases - The “distinctiveness vs. demand” matrix for crafting messages that stand out and resonate - The role of AI and technology in understanding audiences and measuring impact - Practical steps for charities and universities to avoid insular thinking and connect with the people they serve Whether you’re a fundraiser, nonprofit leader, or just curious about how organisations can better listen and adapt, this episode is packed with insights and actionable advice. If you’d like to connect with our guests or learn more about their work, don’t hesitate to reach out: Beautiful Insights: beautifulinsights.com Email: [email protected] Firehaus: firehaus.co.uk Email: [email protected] Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Creating a truly trans-inclusive workplace goes beyond policy, it’s about everyday actions, leadership, and allyship. In this empowering session hosted by Cam St-Omer Donaldson; Arlo Hilton and Luca Straker will share real experiences, explore common challenges queer employees face, and provide practical guidance for leaders, managers, and allies at every level. You’ll learn how to navigate difficult situations, check your privilege, and build confidence to speak up and support colleagues effectively and treat everyone individually. With actionable tips, real-life examples, and insights on ethics and organisational change. This session explores how organisations can build safer and more inclusive environments for trans and queer employees by addressing everyday challenges and systemic barriers. Drawing on lived experiences, it reflects on moments when workplace practices succeed or fall short and considers what meaningful changes can improve the lives of queer colleagues. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

Welcome to the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast, today, we’ve got something a little bit different for you.  To celebrate our upcoming Face-to-Face and Telephone Fundraising Conference coming up on Thursday 23rd April, we’ve decided to hand the mic over to our guest host Rory White in this special series of episodes called 'It Started On The Street'. Rory will be chatting to some brilliant leaders in the charity sector and beyond about their journeys since they started their careers as dialogue fundraisers. "If you’ve worked in fundraising, you’ve probably come across Danny McDonnell or at least heard his name. He’s incredibly well known in the sector, with a fascinating story that starts in Manchester, where he worked as a club promoter in the music industry before discovering his passion for face-to-face fundraising. From there, Danny’s journey took him overseas, working with international organisations, leading massive operations, and raising phenomenal amounts of money for good causes. He’s someone who took a chance on himself, and it paid off, building a hugely successful career in the process. Danny is inspiring, motivational, and always a joy to talk to. Positive, energetic, and full of insights from his years in the field. I know you’ll enjoy this conversation as much as I did." If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

This session explores practical strategies for driving sustainable growth in the charity sector while minimising risks. Marc Roby, CEO of Run For Charity will share insights from his extensive experience and a recent analysis of thousands of runners’ data from 2024, revealing the trends shaping the future of fundraising through running events. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how data-driven decisions can support growth and discover actionable solutions to common challenges faced by charities. Key learnings from this session: - Understanding the rise in female participation in running events and its variations across different distances. - Exploring why charities are four times more likely to see dropouts when registration fees are not applied. - Debunking the “January Boom” myth and identifying optimal times to recruit fundraisers. - Recognising the influence of Generation Z in driving a resurgence in running event participation. - Leveraging training support to minimise injuries and reduce fundraiser dropout rates. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.

We are inundated with information every day – from TikToks to billboards, people are vying for our attention everywhere we go. This scrap for attention is starting to really impact corporate fundraisers: the average office worker receives 121 emails a day, meaning our approaches to companies are often getting ignored. Ann Avarne moved from the world of private banking to the world of corporate fundraising in May 2023. In that time, she’s brought her understanding of what corporates need to the softness of how charities communicate. Working with Fireside Fundraising, she’s been able to find a ‘best of both worlds’ approach that has landed new partnerships, hit targets and she is now looking to grow her team. In this session, Andy King from Fireside will share some of the frameworks that’ve underpinned this effective communication – Ann will then give live examples from DEBRA’s corporate partnerships programme. You’ll leave with a clear framework for improving your communication and a clear understanding of how/why DEBRA are nailing their corporate comms. Key learnings from this session: - How to cut through the noise in an increasingly competitive corporate fundraising landscape. - A five-step framework for how to tell a story in a boardroom that’ll get the company climbing over the table to support you. - How to adapt that story to writing so that colleagues can become advocates for your cause. Click here to subscribe to our email list for exclusive fundraising resources, early access to training, special discounts and more If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to hit follow and enable notifications so you'll get notified to be first to hear of future podcast episodes. We'd love to see you back again! And thank you to our friends at JustGiving who make the Fundraising Everywhere Podcast possible.