FUNDRAISING ETHICS, FULL COMMITMENT AND FACING UP TO YOUR FAILINGS

Polly Neate: If you work for a charity you are a fundraiser – and that includes the CEO
Published by Institute of Fundraising
This guest blog by the Chief Executive of Shelter has been widely praised across social media and it's something that fundraisers have been crying out to hear for years. Polly says that the last thing ambitious causes need is an isolated fundraising department, particularly as “voluntary income is what we buy our freedom and independence with”. We're always talking about the importance of developing a whole-organisation commitment to fundraising, so to hear this from a prominent CEO was music to our ears!

Ian MacQuillin: Could it be unethical not to ask for a sufficiently high gift?
Published by 101Fundraising
Curiously, this article isn’t specifically about what the title suggests, but it is a thought-provoking debate on how you balance the ethical duties to your donors and your beneficiaries. For years, fashionable concepts like ‘donorcentrism’ and ‘relationship fundraising’ have encouraged fundraisers to put the donor at the centre of everything they do. But has the resultant ‘donor dominance’ led to recent fundraising scandals like the Presidents Club dinner, and what can we do about it?

Rosie Walworth: #YouMadeItHappen – why it always pays off to thank your supporters
Published by NCVO
One of the best - but most under-used - tools in a fundraiser's armoury is the thank you message. It's always easier to keep building relationships with your existing supporters than to acquire new ones, something that often gets forgotten in the daily rush to meet growth targets. This year, charities paused on 19 November to celebrate the vital contribution made by their supporters, volunteers, donors and campaigners, using the hashtag #YouMadeItHappen. Here's a lovely round-up of the day's most creative and inspiring thank yous.

Nikki Bell: Social Media & Professional Development; Little Digital Steps to Make Big Career Moves
Published by CharityNikki
Many people will be familiar with using social media to boost fundraising and raise awareness for their cause, but how can it help you with career development too? Inspired by how it's advanced her career, Nikki Bell has put together this advice for others. We like how this is divided into three handy sections: getting started, getting going and expert level. Drink in these tips, then come and say hi to us on social media!

Kate Lee: Time to go big or go home
Published by CLIC Sargent
In a tough climate for charities, celebrating your successes is important - but what about embracing your failures? The CEO of CLIC Sargent did just that, firstly acknowledging one of their biggest failings (not reaching one third of children diagnosed with cancer) publicly in their impact report, then launching an organisation-wide drive to understand why and take action. Committing to addressing your failings can be tough but, as Kate describes, the long-term impact on your work can be amazing.