The best charity takeaways from 2020

Halfway through 2020, the Guardian reported that nearly one in ten charities were facing administration. As the coronavirus situation has dragged on, charities have risen to the occasion, finding innovative and creative ways of raising much-needed revenue.

We’ve seen charities flex their digital fundraising muscles, quickly adapting to the ‘new normal’ and generating significant sums. We’ve seen other charities taking stock of their digital infrastructure and implementing new ways of working to save time and costs.

Here are some of the most important lessons to take away from 2020.

The pivot to digital is now

Unsurprisingly, the lockdown has had a massive impact on how charities go about their activities. The lockdown has pressed the entire sector to urgently implement digital fundraising strategies.

In August 2020, the Blackbaud Status of UK Fundraising Report found that charities were overwhelming shifting to digital to survive. In terms of operations, 86% of respondents said they were working from home, with 80% using cloud-based technologies. The report also found that more than 75% of charities were trying virtual fundraising for the first time.

Focussing on charity partnerships

Charities have been testing out new ways of working. For many, the key to successful fundraising has been partnerships with other organisations.

Charity-charity partnerships are pushing fundraising to new heights. These partnerships are showing how powerful they can be. The NHS Charities Together, which represents various individual health trusts, have together raised over £130 million.

Digital storefronts are the new bricks and mortar

Charities on the high street have suffered just as much as retail businesses. Lockdown has really emphasised the importance of online shopping.

At Charity Digital, we uncovered opportunities for those with charity shops to go online. Looking at mobile apps, Depop gave charities a chance to market to Gen Z at minimum cost. Other platforms like Shopify can help charities build a professional storefront.

For inspiration on shifting from bricks and mortar to digital storefronts, our in-depth look at the British Heart Foundation’s e-bay store shows how successful online stores can be.