What's going on...

Charity fundraising is forever changing, with the humanitarians amongst us always looking for new, innovative ways to make charity fundraising simple. Here at Bid-Aid, this is our mission exactly, launching the Bid-Aid to make charity auctioning accessible to the masses on a constant basis.  

However, as 2019 unfolds, we can expect to see a string of new trends form. From the emergence of new technology opening doors for fundraisers to the social and political landscape redirecting people’s charitable focus, we look at the trends mapping the way for modern fundraising.  

Eco-friendly fundraising  

Last year, David Attenborough changed our attitude towards plastic consumption and waste forever, revealing some shocking statistics around how much of our plastic was making its way into the ocean. Actioning a revolution, as a society, we have all taken notice, doing all we can to operate in a sustainable fashion. This goes for every aspect of modern life. From us Brits ditching gas-guzzling cars for electric ones to big coffee chains only servicing drinks in reusable containers, these changes are huge. 

As a result, charity fundraising has become more ethically-minded in general. From ditching printed leaflets to hosting VR events without the need to travel, most charitable organisations will have the environment in mind when running campaigns. 

Bye bye to charity boxes  

In 2019, expect to see less physical charity boxes at supermarkets, local pubs and the likes. This is because we find ourselves in a digitally-savvy age; one where we shop online and seldom carry cash on us. With ‘contactless’ being the most popular form of payment, some expect cash to be obsolete in the next 100 years. This means, the humble charity box collecting 2ps has become rather irrelevant and neglected.  

While there are some larger organisations working on digital charity boxes that take contactless payments, for smaller organisations, this will not be possible.  

The demonstration of impact  

As socially conscious consumers, we like to know exactly what it going on around the world and in our own backyard, being far detached from the days where charity started at home. For this reason, more and more charities and fundraisers are keen to demonstrate impact, giving those that care about their causes an insight into where and how funds are spent.  

This is called ‘Impact Reporting’; something that is really boosting donations and volunteerism in a meaningful way. While some are created in the format of a formal, annual report, others will simply post a social media video with a few stats and examples of how they met objectives.  

Social media 

It is no secret that social media has changed our lives, completely revolutionising the way we communicate, integrate and engage. While there are some arguments that the rise of social media has ruined the good old-fashioned art of conversation, for charity fundraisers, it has been a godsend, giving fundraisers access to a big wide world of benefactors and donors. 

In 2019, we will see further use of social media in fundraising, with sites such as Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram all working on their own versions of ‘JustGiving’ software. Facebook has already rolled out a fundraising tool.  

If you are a charity and not familiar with this tool, below are the instructions to follow on your Facebook page: 

• Sign up to accept donations on Facebook. 
• Clicking Publishing Tools in the top menu of your Facebook Page. 
• Click Donation Settings under Fundraisers. 
• Check the box next to Allow people to create fundraisers 
• Check the box next to Allow people to add donate buttons next to their posts. 
• Click Save. 

Also, social media platforms are giving more weight to video, placing more video content on our timelines than ever before. This is something all charities should look to adopt in their marketing plans. 

The world of celebrity   

20 years ago, the ‘celebrity’ figure was out of reach, with music stars, sportspeople and the likes almost not feeling human. However, as a society, we have bridged the gap between your average Joe and the celebrity, with famous people being just a DM away. And, as the celebrity exterior softens, we are seeing more and more high-profile figures give to charity.  

This is a trend we at Bid-Aid can vouch for. With our team having worked in the world of memorabilia for many years, we are only seeing an increase in the rich and famous parting with money and possessions in a plea to do their bit for the greater good. For example, in the Bid-Aid office right now you will find donations from Anthony Joshua, Gareth Bale and many more!  

Corporate Social Responsibility  

Modern British businesses are renowned for their charitable nature, with most large corporations running annual charity galas with silent charity auctions and raffles. This means charities can tap into businesses and their new-found attitude, finding more willing fundraising partners and corporate sponsors in their local business communities.  

How can I use Bid-Aid to raise funds for my charity?  

If you are exploring ways in which you can maximise your fundraising potential, then you will no doubt have considered auctioning; a fundraising model that simply works. Contact us today for more details on our fundraising events and technology.

Abigail Moses
Friday, 8th February 2019