World Jewish Relief increased its fundraised income last year by about 13%, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic.
Its fundraising income in 2020 was £7.2m, up by about 13% on the year before.
Alisa Avigdor, the director of philanthropy at World Jewish Relief, said in an interview with Civil Society Media's Fundraising Magazine that the charity had imagined that it would be 20% down on income and would have to furlough staff.
However, the charity had an “exceptionally good year” in regards to fundraising.
It exceeded its fundraising target and furloughed three staff for a short period before everyone was brought back.
The charity's annual dinner normally raises between £1m and £1.3m a year. Last year, the charity hosted pre-recorded 45-minute sessions online, telling supporters what they had been doing and asking for support. World Jewish Relief hit its target of £1.2m.
Avigdor attributes this fundraising growth to close relationships, transparency, and strong engagement with supporters.
“At the beginning of the pandemic, we tried to phone all of our donors who were aged 80 or above. That was a big job, but it was our way of saying thank you for being there for us all these years, and that we would continue to be there for them. Having a two-way relationship with a donor is really important,” she said.
The full interview can be read in this months Fundraising Magazine.
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