To support charities in the UK during these challenging times, specialist insurer and ICMIF member Ecclesiastical has developed a fundraising hub with a range of resources to help charities raise vital funds.
The mutual insurer says the surge in demand for services during the pandemic, coupled with loss of funding, has put a financial strain on the UK charity sector.
Loss of funding emerged as the biggest risk facing charities over the next 12 months in a recent YouGov survey carried out by Ecclesiastical, with 71 per cent of charities more concerned now as a result of COVID-19.
A significant increase in demand for services at the same time as a massive reduction in funding has hit the charity sector hard during the COVID-19 pandemic, with charities across the UK facing an estimated funding shortfall in excess of £10 billion*.
With events cancelled, charity shops closed and face-to-face fundraising an impossibility during lockdown there is an immediate fundraising need to cover day-to-day expenses and cash flow, as well as a need for long term and sustainable funding for growth and future projects.
Ecclesiastical insures more than 45,000 charities and not-for-profit organisations in the UK – providing the Gloucester-based insurer with unique insight into the challenges affecting the sector. The company’s status as a charity-owned financial services provider also means all available profits are given to good causes.
The charity fundraising hub has been developed in collaboration with Philanthropy Company and includes easy-to-use tools and guidance including tips for researching possible donors and funders as well as checklists for grant applications. A series of webinars will also be streamed over the coming weeks in collaboration with the Directory of Social Change, offering additional insight to help charities plan their next steps.
Angus Roy, charity director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “During these unprecedented times we have seen the charity sector stepping up to support those most in need – meeting increased demand while losing much of their regular income.
“We’ve developed the charity fundraising hub to provide guidance and advice to charities as they look to the future, and help them to be more resilient during this very challenging period and beyond.”
For more information please visit www.ecclesiastical.com/charityfundraising
* Source: Institute of Fundraising, NVCO and Charity finance group report; March 2020
