Really feel like your fundraisers simply aren’t partaking? We requested 1,000+ fundraisers how they actually need to be contacted.
Earlier this yr, we talked to 1,000+ fundraisers and 100+ charities that participated in London Marathon 2025. And what they advised us is obvious: charities aren’t essentially speaking with them within the methods they’d favor throughout their fundraising journey.
Learn on to see what we learnt and the way necessary your channels and phone strategies might be to your fundraising success.
Be part of our free charity webinar on seventeenth September! Sophie from Scope will share the charity’s London Marathon technique and actionable fundraising ideas your charity can use right this moment. Register free now.
What we discovered
How fundraisers need to be contacted
We requested London Marathon fundraisers how they truly need to be contacted by the charity they’re supporting, and right here’s what they mentioned:
- E-mail. Nonetheless the favorite: 88% of fundraisers selected this as their high channel!
- WhatsApp. A rising channel: 22% like direct messages and 20% favor teams.
- Telephone calls. Calls really feel extra private and assist construct sturdy long-term relationships, particularly with high-value fundraisers.
How charities at present contact fundraisers
In the meantime, charities’ high fundraiser outreach strategies are mismatched to what fundraisers need: e-mail, telephone, and WhatsApp, in that order!
So whereas most charities rely closely on e-mail and telephone calls, it appears WhatsApp remains to be underused, regardless of rising fundraising curiosity.
What to do now
It could be time to combine issues up!
When you’re already utilizing e-mail as a part of your communication technique, stick with it! In terms of utilizing e-mail for fundraiser stewardship, e-mail is among the top-performing channels, with 88% of fundraisers saying that’s their primary channel.
When you depend on e-mail alone, attempt including WhatsApp or telephone to your stack (particularly for these elevating probably the most cash).
When you’re prioritising telephone calls, maintain issues balanced: charities say calls are certainly one of their best-performing stewardship instruments, though fundraisers are displaying much less curiosity in them. The truth is, almost 70% of 18–34s favor texts over calls! Calls are helpful as a result of they create two-way conversations. However as a result of they take extra time and might be arduous to schedule, use SMS or WhatsApp as a backup.
When you’re already doing all these, attempt mixing in much more personalised strategies, like handwritten postcards, thank-you movies, good luck packs, and easy shoutouts on social media.
Need assistance together with your London Marathon stewardship? We simply revealed an entire collection of emails you’ll be able to copy, paste, and ship to your London Marathon fundraisers to help and assist them elevate extra at each part! Get the free templates right here.
The incentives fundraisers need in 2025
In terms of incentives and presents, fundraisers mentioned receiving these would have helped encourage them to boost much more cash for his or her trigger:
- Free operating equipment
- Prize draw to win £1000 donation to my web page/charity
- Free coaching tech (eg. Apple watch)
Your fundraisers can win donations of as much as £1000!
Over the subsequent few months, we’re holding particular giveaways that give your fundraisers an opportunity to make a fair larger affect. Try the most recent incentives on our London Marathon Hub.
Extra insights from our analysis
The extra contact, the higher
In terms of high-performing fundraisers, the extra contact the higher. Solely 2% of fundraisers felt they’d an excessive amount of contact, and of those that raised over £3,000, none mentioned there was an excessive amount of!
Present the trail to fundraising success
Fundraisers need to know particularly how they’re serving to your trigger, in addition to tales about these you’ve helped. A easy technique to do each is tying your trigger into your goal: what are you elevating cash to do, and the way will the fundraising goal you’ve chosen particularly allow you to do it?
PRO TIP: Share pre-written messages your fundraisers can pop on social media, in an e-mail, or in a textual content to make it quick and simply to get donations and allow you to attain your objective.
Present alternatives for incentives
Folks elevate cash for you as a result of they’re obsessed with your trigger. However a bit additional motivation can go a good distance! Fundraisers say issues like free trainers, prize attracts for donations, and sensible watches might help encourage them to boost extra.
To completely leverage incentives (particularly early within the course of), set clear deadlines. For instance, “get your first donation by [date] to enter the prize draw.” This helps fundraisers get that first donation early, which results in extra raised over time.
Try how Barnardo’s conjures up fundraisers with marketing campaign milestones and incentives.
It’s London Marathon Activation Month!
Prepared, set, activate! September is London Marathon Activation Month at JustGiving, and it’s all about getting extra of your fundraisers activated and elevating cash for you.
First up: be part of our free webinar on 17th September
Sophie Maggs from Scope will share fast wins on your London Marathon marketing campaign, a deep dive into their stewardship journey, and a lot extra. Register now.
FREE WEBINAR!
Be part of our free webinar seventeenth September
Be part of Sophie from Scope for London Marathon fundraising ideas your charity can use right this moment.
