From Idea to Impact: Creative Fundraising Tactics That Work

Fundraising today is about more than just raising money – it’s about creating meaningful experiences, encouraging community connections, and adapting to change. At Dove House Hospice, Senior Fundraiser Dan Clipson has been leading successful campaigns that do just that for nearly 10 years. In this Voices of the Humber piece, we explore how Dove House transforms ideas into impactful campaigns, the role of creativity, collaboration, and what the future holds for fundraising.

Turning Ideas into Action

For Dove House Hospice, every campaign starts with a clear purpose. As Dan explained, "We always started by asking who the event would attract and why it should appeal to them." This initial focus ensures the campaign resonates with its audience and has a clear benefit for participants, while also supporting the hospice’s work in the community.

Once the purpose is defined, the team gathers feedback to test interest, often involving supporters early on. "We used social media surveys to let people have a say, whether it was choosing the theme for an event or deciding on the next challenge," said Dan. "This made them feel more invested in the campaign." After these initial steps, Dove House implements the campaign in small, manageable stages, ensuring promotion is key throughout the process. "We always tracked our progress using technology, which helped us stay on course and adjust as needed," Dan added.

Balancing Creativity with Practicality

Creativity plays a vital role in fundraising, but it needs to be grounded in practicality. "While creativity helped our events stand out, we made sure to set clear budgets and keep the ideas feasible," Dan said. Setting a budget early on was essential to maintaining balance. "This helped us stay realistic, but it didn’t stop us from being creative, especially when we used tools like social media and event apps," he added.

This approach allowed Dove House to explore innovative ideas without overspending, such as digital invitations and targeted social media campaigns, which attracted supporters beyond their usual reach.

The Power of Collaboration

Collaboration has been at the heart of many of Dove House’s successful campaigns. Working with local businesses, media, and influencers allowed the hospice to expand its reach and reduce costs. "We worked with businesses to raise awareness, and they often helped us out with sponsorship or volunteer hours," said Dan. These partnerships not only provided financial support but also fostered a sense of community around the hospice’s work. "It wasn’t just about the money – we were building relationships that lasted well beyond a single campaign," Dan added.

Measuring Success Beyond Money

While fundraising totals are crucial, Dove House measures the success of its campaigns in other ways, too. "We always wanted our supporters to have a positive experience and feel valued," Dan explained. Post-event surveys and feedback forms helped the team understand what worked well and what could be improved. "If someone enjoyed their experience, they were far more likely to support us again," Dan said.

One example of a campaign with lasting impact was in 2017, when a terminally ill RAF officer took on a 24-hour gaming challenge from his hospice bed. His friends, family, and even the wider community got involved, eventually raising over £12,000. "The support grew from a small idea, and even now, his legacy lives on through those who continue to support the hospice," Dan recalled.

Overcoming Challenges

Like many charities, Dove House has faced challenges due to the economic climate and the pandemic. "Donor patterns changed – some people gave less or withdrew their support altogether," said Dan. To overcome this, Dove House focused on ensuring every donor felt appreciated, regardless of how much they gave. "We always made sure to express gratitude and show them how their donations were making a difference," Dan explained.

And when a campaign didn’t go as planned, the team used it as a learning opportunity. "We always tried to figure out what went wrong – was the marketing off, did we target the wrong audience, or did the timing clash with other local events?" Dan said. Gathering feedback from supporters helped the team improve future campaigns.

Looking to the Future

Looking ahead, Dan sees corporate partnerships and technology playing an even bigger role in fundraising. "Corporate partnerships will become more important as businesses look to improve their corporate social responsibility," he said. Dan also anticipates the rise of AI in fundraising, particularly in analysing donor data and engagement patterns to shape future appeals. "AI could help us understand our donors better and personalise our approaches," he added.

Additionally, social media and online platforms like JustGiving will continue to transform how charities interact with supporters. "Technology has already made it easier for us to reach more people and share our stories, and that’s only going to grow," Dan said.

Dove House Hospice’s approach to fundraising shows how a clear purpose, creativity, and strong collaboration can lead to impactful campaigns. As Dan advised, "Resilience and creativity are key, but most importantly, it’s about the people and the cause." Through their innovative and collaborative approach, Dove House continues to make a lasting difference in the community.