Free forecasting tool to help charities understand impact of recession

Fundraising | Lucy Harvey | 25 Mar 2009

Charities are being offered a free confidential fundraising ‘healthcheck’ to assess the impact of the recession on income.

The online diagnostic tool, a collaboration between the Institute of Fundraising and Think Consulting Solutions, will provide a picture of a charity’s fundraising practice as well as recommendations for developing fundraising programmes and investment strategies.

The name of a charity is not requested during analysis, and no information will be stored or accessed.

Users key in answers to questions covering income, expenditure and fundraising activities and automated calculations create a report outlining current status and recommendations. Users will be advised to print their bespoke report before exiting the site.

The health check site will be updated on an ongoing basis as understanding of recession trends develops and participants will be invited to return for a new report at regular intervals.

Chief executive of the Institute of Fundraising, Lindsay Boswell, said: “In this recession it is more important than ever that charities assess the fundraising security of their organisations; that they look at their fundraising and determine whether it is the right mix in the intensity needed to achieve its goals.

“Fundraising Healthcheck is expected to provide maximum benefit for small to medium sized charities that do not have a corporate business infrastructure or previous recession experience to draw from.”

Tony Elischer, managing director of Think Consulting Solutions, said: “We have pooled our consultants’ experience, expertise and time into the biggest pro bono project we have ever undertaken. I firmly believe it is the responsibility of organisations such as ours to rally and go the extra mile to offer support and original thinking.”

The tool is now available to Institute members at www.fundraisinghealthcheck.org and will be open to all charities next month.

Directory: Institute of Fundraising

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