Are you targeting millennials with your legacy fundraising?

Millennials (anyone born between 1981 and 1996) are often described as phone-dependent, avocado-obsessed, selfie enthusiasts.

But there’s a lot more to them than that. From climate change and war to animal extinction, they care about what’s happening in the world and want to change things for the better.

A report called ‘The Value of Will Donations from Millennials and Gen X’, conducted by YouGov and published by WPNC found that 44% of millennials and Gen X (people born between 1966 and 1980) are thinking about donating to charity through a gift in their will.

It also found that just 12% of this demographic have chosen a charity to leave their gift to, and 87% haven’t written one at all.

This presents charities with a significant opportunity.

Culture shift

The same survey found that 32% of millennials and 29% of Generation X participants said they’d never seen an advertisement for legacy giving.

This is not surprising as legacy advertising typically focuses on older supporters.

However, there’s been a culture shift since the pandemic. A growing number of young people are thinking about their future and writing a Will.

What does this mean for charities?

If you’re not targeting millennials and Gen X with your legacy marketing, you’re missing out.

Wondering how to entice them? Why not offer them a free (or heavily discounted) Will-writing service? The aforementioned YouGov survey found that 37% of millennials and 24% of Gen X would be receptive to using one. And when pressed further, the majority said they would be happy to make a legacy gift in return for free Will-writing advice.

Some charities are ahead of the game. UNICEF, the British Heart Foundation, and the NSPCC are a few of the 188 UK-based charities that have signed up to the National Free Wills Network – a paid-for programme that offers complementary Will-writing services to their supporters.

Charities pay for the Wills to be written via the network and connect donors with local solicitors to help them document their wishes.

Looking for Inspiration?

Earlier this year, WaterAid launched an effective legacy advert on national television. It formed part of a campaign to attract younger donors and boost legacy income.

For more inspiration, check out this blog post by American marketing company Data Axle. It shares six top tips for engaging with young donors.

Want to lead the way with legacy fundraising? We can help you find the right fundraiser for the job. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 to find out how.

Four top job-hunting hacks

Job hunting. No one enjoys it.

In addition to tweaking your CV, writing endless cover letters, and filling out multi-page application forms, you have to remember what jobs you’ve applied for, who the recruiters are, and whether you’ve had a response.

The process can be long-winded, stressful, and disheartening. Unless you’re equipped with some handy Bamboo hacks …

1. Keep track of where you’re applying

There’s nothing more embarrassing than being invited to an interview, with no idea what the job is or what it entails.

Don’t rely on your memory to keep track of your applications. Keep a list of the jobs you apply for on a spreadsheet, including the name of the charity, the job title, and job spec. Make a note of the date you applied and any other useful information that’ll help you stay on track.

2. Proofread and fix up your CV

Typos in your cover letter are not going to create a good first impression.

Don’t press send until you’ve spell and grammar-checked every word!

3. Manage your mailbox

You don’t want to miss out on a top opportunity because it got buried in your inbox. Unsubscribe from mailing lists and make a conscious effort to keep your unread emails down to zero.

And don’t forget to check your spam.

4. Let us handle it

You can always make the whole thing easy and let us manage the job hunt for you. We have loads of connections, a thorough understanding of the third sector, and we’ll support you every step of the way.

Give us a call on 02037 503 111 or email info@bamboofundraising.co.uk to get started.

Physical events are making a comeback

Feels good to get out and about in the real world after two years of restrictions, doesn’t it?

And it's not just the general public that’s glad to see the back of COVID.

The combination of lockdowns, social distancing, and reduced income due to furlough and redundancies has impacted 90% of charities.

Fundraising events stalled; volunteer numbers dwindled, and donations took a big hit,

However, things are looking up. Physical events are making a comeback. Research shows that more than 50% of the public are now happy to get out and mingle again.

In this post, we’re going to take a moment to understand how the pandemic impacted charities, and how the return of physical events will benefit charities.

Fundraising hit hard

The charity sector was one of the hardest hit by the coronavirus. Donations dropped

Surveys show 1% of charities shut down permanently, and another 1% merged with other organisations in a last-ditch effort to stay afloat.

How did charities cope?

Those that survived were forced to innovate by finding a way to deliver their services online and run their events digitally.

This wasn’t possible for every charity, so many were forced to find alternative funding sources.

Time to get back out there

Let’s face it. Nothing beats the camaraderie of in-person events. And the value of f2f can’t be ignored. Research by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) shows that for every £1 spent on face-to-face fundraising, £4.20 is returned. That’s a whopping 320% ROI.

However, virtual events are not going to be relegated to the history books any time soon.

Trends suggest that hybrid events are set to become the new normal.

A prime example is the London Marathon, which, this year, will take place virtually, alongside the traditional inner-city run.

But this is good news. Hybrid events provide charities with an opportunity to raise funds through multiple funnels as they look to rebuild after a couple of very difficult years.

Getting event-ready

Looking to recruit an events fundraiser? We can help. Contact us on 0203 750 3111 to talk tactics.

Seven Ways to get Your job application noticed

Fundraising jobs are highly sought after. And it’s no surprise. We all want to feel like we’re making a tangible difference during the 40 hours we spend at work each week.

So, how can you make sure your application stands out and above the rest?

Here are a few tips.

1. Include a video

In addition to your CV and supporting documents, why not attach a short video introducing yourself? This is a sure-fire way to stand out.

Keep it to 60 seconds max and include the following;

• Why you’re applying for the job

• Why the charity appeals to you

• The experience/skills/value you can bring to the role

When you’re finished, upload it as an “unlisted” video on YouTube. That way, nobody will find it unless you share the link with them.

Want to take it up a notch? Get creative like Zapier Platform Engineer Regan Starr. When applying for a job at piano company, Steinway & Sons he wrote a song as his job application and filmed himself singing it while playing the piano. Check it out here.

2. Tailor your CV to EVERY role

We say it all the time, but taking the time to tailor your CV to the role is important.

Recruiters/hiring managers will spend an average of 5-7 seconds looking at your CV. Sure, they’ll read it in more detail if you’re shortlisted, but you’ll have seconds to capture their interest initially.

If they don’t see words and skills that are relevant to the role, they’ll move on.

Read the job and person spec and make sure your CV clearly demonstrates you have the relevant experience and skills at a glance.

It goes without saying, if you’re not qualified, don’t lie, regardless of how much you want the job.

3. Make it visual

Make your application pop with colour and images. Also, infographics, videos, and interactive elements will stand out against hundreds of black-and-white, text-only documents.

4. Get a website

Want to go the extra mile? Get a domain name and build a basic website. Add your CV, personal profile, links to fundraising campaigns you’ve run, and any press coverage gained as a result.

This will give recruiters a place to find all your relevant information without having to do too much digging.

5. Network

Don’t underestimate the importance of networking.

If you can bag a personal introduction to a recruiter/hiring manager, it puts you at an advantage. If they like you, you may be able to bypass the application process.

If there’s a charity you’re dying to work for, reach out to your network and see if anyone has any contacts they can introduce you to.

6. Be proactive

Another way to stand out is to add value, in advance. For example, you could put a proposal together for a unique fundraising event that’s tailored to the charity. For extra brownie points, include costs and projections.

This is a great way to show them you know what you’re doing and that you’re passionate about the cause.

7. Find a great recruiter to work with

You should never rely on recruiters for your entire job hunt as they don’t find jobs for people; they find qualified people for jobs. 

However, finding a reliable recruiter who knows the market can help you get your application seen by the people that matter.

Final word

You aren’t going to stand out and get noticed by doing the same thing as everyone else.

While the above tips might create more work for you, they’re worth it.

Employers love candidates who demonstrate that they’re willing to go above and beyond.

If you’re looking for a fundraising role, we’re well placed to help. Call us on 0203 750 3111 to find out how. 

Five creative recruitment strategies

We’re in a candidate-driven market. This means you need to work harder than ever to attract talent.

A bog standard job ad won’t get you noticed. You need to get creative to stand out.

Here are five strategies for inspiration.

1. Advertise on unconventional platforms

When we say ‘unconventional’, we’re not talking about Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram (although this may give you a leg up on the competition, as many charities neglect to advertise job opportunities on social media).

We’re talking about TikTok, Reddit, and Spotify. And, did you know you can advertise on dating apps like Tinder?

Advertising on these platforms will enable you to reach people you might miss if you focus all your attention on the big three. And, as they’re not widely used for job ads, you’ll stand out.

It goes without saying, you should research the platforms first to make sure they’re a good fit.

2. Open your doors

Looking to mass recruit? Ever thought about holding an open day?

If not, why not take a leaf out of universities’ books and invite prospective candidates to come in and see what you’re about?

This is a great way to show potential recruits who you are, what you do, and why you do it.

You could get employees to lead talks/Q&A sessions so candidates can ask questions that aren’t answered in the job description; give them a tour of your office; and introduce them to volunteers.

An open day is a unique opportunity to engage and enthuse top talent and enable them to experience your organisational culture (which is a top priority for jobseekers in the current market).

3. Use video

If you can’t host an open door, the next best thing is video.

While it’s possible to describe who you are, what you do, and how you help people with words on a page, video takes it to another level.

Not only is video a great way to stand out, it’s also a great way to showcase your personality, values, and what makes you unique.

Here’s a great example from Hospice UK.

4. Set up an employee referral programme

Are your staff happy, motivated, and passionate about what they do?

Then get them involved in the recruitment process. Provide them with the tools they need to promote your vision and values: information they can post on their social media channels and emails, and teach them how to talk about the charity when they’re out and about.

Happy employees make the best brand ambassadors, so why not incentivise them to help you find new recruits?

An incentive could be anything from a gift voucher to an extra day’s holiday. If in doubt, ask them.

5. Go back to school

Want to tap into a large pool of qualified people looking for work? Hit-up sixth-form colleges and universities.

Many of them have their own job boards and/or host career fairs.

Advertising roles to graduates is an effective way to nab talent fresh out of the education system.

Want some help filling a fundraising vacancy? That’s our bread and butter. Give us a call on 0203 750 3111 to get started.