On 03.07, Mrs. Chloe Knott, our manager at the UK Veterans Hearing Foundation, had the honour of attending and speaking at the CIOF Convention 2024. The event brought together leaders from various small charities to discuss the pressing issues they face, particularly in securing funding and sustaining their operations.
About the CIOF Fundraising Convention
The CIOF Fundraising Convention is the largest in-person event for fundraising professionals in the UK. It is also the one time of the year we meet as a sector to feel part of a community that will support and empower us. The 2024 Fundraising Convention theme, Learning and Thriving Together, provided a space to do just that. Attendees discovered the latest trends and learned best practices. They also networked with others who understand the challenges and opportunities a job in fundraising brings. It was an opportunity not to be missed.
Highlights From Our Manager’s Speech
Chloe began by acknowledging the lingering impacts of the coronavirus pandemic on small charities. The pandemic exacerbated existing challenges, creating backlogs and increasing the demand for support. Meanwhile, small charities struggled to secure the necessary funding. Larger, more well-known charities were often prioritised for funds. This left smaller organisations with long waiting lists and uncertain futures.
“Small charities already face a high workload to ensure our charitable activities are being fulfilled while allocating time to submit time-consuming applications,” Chloe emphasised. Despite the efforts put into these applications, many go unanswered, leaving small charities in a perpetual state of uncertainty and continuous resource expenditure.
For more details on Chloe’s speech and the challenges faced by small charities, read the full article here.
Image Credit: CIOF
The Funding Dilemma
One of the core issues highlighted was the reluctance of funders to allocate resources to smaller charities. Funders fear that these organisations might not survive long-term. In turn, this leads to a preference for short-term funding. This forces small charities to constantly seek funds from various grant-giving trusts. Given their limited resources, this often proves to be a daunting task.
“A small charity relying on a professional fundraiser that we may only have for 1-2 days a month is a risk as well as hope,” Chloe noted, underlining the precarious balance small charities must maintain. This cycle hampers the growth and sustainability of smaller organisations, which often operate without the extensive support systems available to their larger counterparts.
Call for Change
In her speech, Chloe called for a more supportive system that recognises the unique challenges faced by small charities. She outlined three key tips for working with trusts and foundations:
- Be Clear: Clearly articulate what you are requesting funding for to avoid further questioning or rejection.
- Provide Information: Include as much information as possible to support your project, such as reports and statistics.
- Stay Connected: Maintain relationships with grant providers by providing evidence of how funds have been spent, increasing the likelihood of future support.
The speech was a plea for change, emphasising the need for a more inclusive and supportive funding landscape that allows small charities to thrive and continue their essential work.
Reflections on the Convention
The CIOF Convention sparked important discussions within the charitable sector. It was a reminder that the contributions of small charities are invaluable, yet they often go unrecognised due to systemic funding biases. By shedding light on these issues, the conference aimed to inspire a shift towards more equitable funding practices that enable all charities, regardless of size, to effectively serve their communities.
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