Photo: Chris Economides & Mai Marley    A few weeks back, I had the absolute pleasure of visiting one of the Localgiving groups in Wales, Barry Beavers Disabled Swimming club. The purpose of the visit was to hear more about the club’s fundraising aims, the amazing work it does in the community and to help the team make the most of its Localgiving account. Barry Beavers was founded 40 years ago and provides qualified instruction using the Halliwick Concept in reaching swimming therapy to disabled swimmers of all ages and disabilities. The club is certainly making a huge impact in the community as it continues to grow and it now has a team of 20+ volunteers and 75 swimmers. Therefore it has been essential that Barry Beavers has had success with its online fundraising to ensure its future financial sustainability. The club joined Localgiving in 2017 and so far has benefitted from four Magic Little Grants and ongoing fundraising support. It has used its main project page for regular donations and has benefitted from support from the Wales Programme; to set up crowdfunding appeals which have attracted match funding.  Barry Beavers Chair, Chris Economides, showed enormous pride and passion when he spoke about why the club is so successful “to put it simply, everyone gets along so well. We welcome all disabled swimmers into our community and our two main aims are simple: water safety and happiness. Swimmers can attend the club for leisure, fun; to compete in the galas or a combination of all those things and one of the huge benefits swimmers get is the strong sense of belonging and to feel connected during these uncertain and often isolating times is so important”. One of the trustees, Mai Marley added “getting together during Covid-19 has been tough but we have come back stronger. The people involved are gorgeous and I have made many friends having been here since 2017. Gala days are the best days ever as competitions are a great way of building people’s self-esteem and we have a lot of fun along the way!” The club incorporates fun and games into their lessons so that everyone feels included and can benefit from being in the water. The lessons are open to all children and adults in the area who have a disability or long-term health condition and alongside the swim sessions, water therapy is also offered. When asked about the support the club has received from Localgiving, Chris said: “Localgiving has proved a great benefit to Barry Beavers. The staff at Localgiving are always available to give help and advice on funding initiatives. Barry Beavers has been able to receive substantial funding due to our membership – it is well worth joining”. Barry Beavers is just one of the 450 not for profit groups that Localgiving has supported in Wales benefitting from: a year’s free membership, grants, match funding and mentoring in how to crowdfund. If your group is in Wales and would like free, digital fundraising advice, please email: amy@localgiving.org. To find out more about Barry Beavers Disabled Swimming club, to offer some time as a volunteer or to make a donation to the club, click here.

Over the course of the pandemic, access to green spaces has become increasingly important. People are recognising the benefits of connecting with nature, growing their own food and the positive impact being in the great outdoors has on your mental well-being. Sadly, according to data from The Office of National Statistics, 1 in 8 households in the UK did not have access to a garden during the pandemic; with people from ethnic minorities being even more adversely affected and black people in particular are four times less likely to have access to a garden. This growing disparity has prompted a rise in the number of community gardens being created across the UK and they are looking fantastic just like Erw Dewi/Dewi’s acre in St. Davids, Pembrokeshire. EcoDewi, a community environmental group focused on the St Davids Peninsula, joined the Crowdfund Wales Programme back in March to raise some much needed cash for their new community garden – Erw Dewi. Jeremy Wadia (Co-founder) approached Localgiving as he had little previous experience of online fundraising but had a clear vision for a disused plot of land by St Davids Cathedral which they had started to cultivate. Working in collaboration with the Cathedral, the group had 3 clear aims to raise money for: building a potting shed, producing a wildlife pond to increase biodiversity and transforming some land with a large laurel bush into a jungle play area for children. All in all some fantastic ideas, but they couldn’t do it without more money in the pot and the time and commitment of local volunteers. The target that EcoDewi set was £2000 hoping that they would raise £1750 independently and then unlock their matchfunding grant of £250 along the way. After joining the programme, the first thing they did was talk through how it would all work and make sure that there was time and resource in place to promote the appeal. The page had to stand out from the competition and really connect with the community. Jeremy decided to produce a short video to add to the appeal page, describing the work that needed to be done and specifically what the money raised would go towards. The next thing we discussed was how to make the best use of both personal and professional networks to promote the campaign and to reach out to donors. Jeremy decided that a longer running time would work better to allow for some events that were taking place where he could actively promote the project and where there was already buy-in. They smashed their target and the appeal is now closed but it has moved across to a project page so that they can continue to keep their generous donors up to date with news about the garden and they can also upload new photos to show how things are progressing. Along the way, EcoDewi was awarded a Magic Little Grant, distributed by Localgiving and funded by the players of People’s Postcode Lottery but it was decided early on that this money would not specifically go towards the garden but would encourage people to take part in additional activities to further enhance biodiversity in the area. The cause chosen was their Mini Meadows project which aims to encourage local residents and organisations to reduce grass mowing regimes and allow areas to grow and develop into small wildflower meadows. As part of this project, EcoDewi gives participants a recycled wooden blue heart, inspired by the Blue Campaign’s effort to re-wild Britain’s gardens. The Magic Little Grant covered the marketing and materials needed to get this off the ground across the St. Davids Peninsula. So far so good for EcoDewi, having raised a total of £3,438 and now promoting regular donations to ensure their work is funded into the future. To find out more about the Crowdfund Wales Programme, click here.          

One of the Crowdfund Wales Programme’s newest members, Cardiff and Vale Scouts, has used a blended approach to their fundraising to raise much needed cash. Area Commissioner Julian Jordan approached Localgiving as he was keen to start to raise money online but realised that for the first appeal, the sum would be high as it was focussed on a refurbishment of the toilets on the Jubilee Camp Site. The grand total that the group is hoping to raise is £20,000 which they thought would be difficult through online fundraising alone. What was important from the outset however was that all the money raised was in one place and that the ask was specific and set across a limited period of time not only to create a sense of urgency but also so that the fundraiser did not become too onerous a task to monitor and manage. By using a blended approach and adding off-line donations, it is easy to monitor the progress of a campaign and to make it completely transparent for the public. The text on appeals can be changed throughout so you can update on the appeal page how close you are to your target and change images if you wish. The toilets on the Jubilee campsite are not adequate for today’s hygiene standards and with the introduction of additional Covid-19 safety measures; they would not have been fit for purpose for the number of scouts that will use the site. Julian and his colleagues decided to create a short video make this appeal eye-catching and to demonstrate the need. Recognising the importance of starting an appeal with cash in the pot, Julian quickly decided that this was going to have to be a mixture of on and off-line donations. The Scouts had already received a grant which would go some way towards the refurbishment, so they were able to launch the appeal with a £10,000 donated offline. Psychologically, when potential donors click on the link to an appeal, they are far more likely to give to a cause where they can see other donations have been made. Also, £10,000 does not seem so daunting for anyone who sees a high total wonders what impact their small donation would have. Julian also applied for a Magic Little Grant from Localgiving for CCTV for the site which he was successful in obtaining. On the Crowdfund Wales Programme, once a group has reached £1750, they can unlock their match funding grant of £250 and the Scouts were able to do this quickly due to dedicated time set aside at the start of the appeal for promotion. In fact, Julian not only did Julian post his progress on social media frequently but he also sent the link via a newsletter and ensured there was coverage in the local press – this all helped to give the appeal the boost it needed. The Scouts are making excellent progress and only need to raise a further £2,283 in the next 44 days to reach their £20,000 target. To read more about appeal and to donate, click here.  

Every charity, fundraiser and individual is invited to participate in the Captain Tom 100  (#CaptainTom100) taking place between the 30th April 2021-3rd May 2021 (which marks the weekend that Captain Tom would have turned 101). To participate, you will need some creative and fun 100 inspired challenge ideas so we have decided to make this easier for you by coming up with 100 of them to help you get those creative juices flowing! We have however selected our 10 top favourite ideas!   Walk 100 laps/miles/steps Learn 100 dance moves Bake 100 cupcakes Tell 100 jokes Juggle for 100 minutes Host a 100 question quiz Build 100 sandcastles Sing for 100 minutes Carry out 100 good deeds Make 100 cocktails Don’t forget to set up your fundraising page on Localgiving here to allow plenty of time for your donors to support you in the run up to the big challenge and provide you with a better chance of winning the additional £100 prize for the best fundraiser, which will be provided by Localgiving. To find out more about the Captain Tom 100, please click here. Oh alright then, here is the full list of 100 ideas to get you started... Walk 100 laps/miles/steps Run 100km  Go for 100 runs Climb 100 stairs Cycle 100km Learn 100 dance moves Dance for 100 minutes Swim 100 laps of a pool Do 100 push ups Do 100 pull ups Go on a 100km hike Hop 100 times Play tennis for 100 minutes Play football for 100 minutes Play golf for 100 minutes Play squash for 100 minutes Lift weights for 100 minutes Do 100 burpees Do 100 keepie uppies 100 star jumps Do 100 squats Do 100 leg presses Do 100 yoga positions Do 100 hula hoops Do 100 trampoline bounces Do a plank for 100 seconds  Go for 100 dog walks Throw and catch a ball 100 times without dropping it  Bake 100 biscuits Bake 100 cupcakes Make 100 cocktails Make 100 cups of coffee or tea  Eat 100 grapes Eat 100 of something else Drink 100 of something Flip 100 pancakes Cook 100 meals 100m egg and spoon race Balance something for 100 seconds Knit 100 items Tell 100 jokes 100 minute silence Speak for 100 minutes Sing for 100 minutes Write 100 poems or letters Juggle for 100 minutes Learn to say something in 100 different languages Take 100 photographs Build 100 sandcastles Write a 100 word story Draw something in 100 seconds Create a 100 second video Second 100 messages  Host a 100 question quiz Plant 100 seeds Paint 100 of something Give away 100 likes on social media Follow 100 people on social media Meditate for 100 minutes Create 100 different outfits Do 100 puzzles Finish a new puzzle in under 100 minutes Pick up 100 pieces of rubbish Donate 100 items Cut off 100cm of hair Share 100 positive affirmations Play a board game for 100 minutes Play chess for 100 minutes Start a 100 minute twitch stream Watch 100 episodes of your favourite show Dress in 100 different fancy dress outfits Send 100 postcards Read 100 books Read for 100 minutes Host a virtual party for 100 people Host a virtual yoga class for 100 people  Host a virtual comedy night for 100 people  Host a virtual pub quiz for 100 people Carry out 100 good deeds Build something with 100 lego bricks Create a song 100 minutes long Create a 100 track playlist  Clean for 100 minutes Do laundry for 100 minutes Rearrange your house for 100 minutes Don’t touch the floor for 100 minutes Smile for 100 minutes  Act out a scene for 100 minutes Learn 100 songs on an instrument Watch 100 documentaries Learn 100 new facts Create a 100 minute podcast Give 100 compliments Tell the truth for 100 minutes Say yes for 100 minutes Build 100 paper aeroplanes Do volunteer work for 100 minutes Design a whole website in 100 minutes Garden for 100 minutes Attend a 100 minute lecture  Happy fundraising!  

  The Crowdfund Wales Programme is now well underway with 13 organisations receiving support with their digital fundraising appeals and they are working hard to reach their £1750 target to unlock the match funding from Localgiving. Programme members are benefitting from 1:1 mentoring sessions to ensure their appeals are planned and promoted well and fundraising messages are reaching far and wide through the their networks and beyond. Here is what Small World Theatre said about the programme: “We have received the right advice for our company so we can engage with the public on a local level as well as giving our supporters who live further afield the opportunity to donate. Localgiving offers marketing support and online tools to help with fundraising. It's been great to meet with Amy on Zoom and chat through ideas.  Thank you!”   No time like the present You might be thinking that now is not a good time to start a fundraising appeal, setting your sights on the summer months when we have hopefully transitioned out of lockdown and are moving into the nicer weather and more outdoor activity – this could be a big mistake! In the world of online fundraising, December and the build up to Christmas always does well in terms of appeals. People are feeling more generous at this time of year and it is the season synonymous with giving! However, spring is the season of re-birth, hope and anticipation for the year. April is the start of the financial year and when people generally start to get their finances in order, not to mention that at the beginning of the month, people will have just been paid. At the moment, during the UK-wide lockdown, we are all online a lot more as we are stuck in their houses. Whilst the pandemic has hit many people hard, resulting in higher levels of unemployment and less disposable income for many, for other people general expenditure has decreased and therefore people are happy to give to those in need. A report published in October 2020 from Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), showed that “between January and June 2020, the public donated a total of £5.4 billion to charity – an increase of £800 million compared to the same period in 2019”. If you are still determined to hold off until the summer, consider this first - how many other local groups may have the same idea as you? These are your direct competitors who will also be planning their outdoor fundraising events and reaching out to your potential donors at the same time. In addition to this, the potential audience for your fundraising messages may be reduced with people making plans with friends and family in the warm weather; no longer sitting in front of their devices ready to click and give. According to recent data from Statista, there are 46.6 million daily internet users in the UK. Think about these people being a captive audience right now – these are your potential donors and also the promotors of your fundraising messages!    Winning formula for appeals So now you have reconsidered the timing of your fundraising campaign, here are some top tips to consider when appealing to the masses and to make it easier for you, they all start with a ‘P’: Make sure your purpose for fundraising is clear. Convey your passion for the cause and ensure people connect with it. People generally need to feel an empathic connection with their donation so ensure you are clear about what you need money for and how their donation will make a difference Never underestimate the need to plan. Tying your launch in with a key date in the diary and segmenting off your network into donors, promoters and potential fundraisers all takes time. The more you plan for your appeal, the more it will pay off Work on your publicity and your press releases. Have you read the local papers lately? They are a bit light on news due to less general activity so now is a great time to get your appeal in the papers. Online versions can have a direct link to your Localgiving donation page too which is an added bonus Be proactive. You will have good days and bad days when it comes to donations so ensure you are promoting your successes and thanking your donors publicly for their support Don’t forget to praise yourself on your efforts. You can segment your appeal into key target milestones and this is psychologically beneficial as it breaks down your total into achievable chunks.   If you are a not-for-profit group in Wales and would like to take advantage of the Crowdfund Wales Programme - receiving more advice about your online fundraising and with the offer of £250 match funding when you have reached your target, you can get in touch with me here.

In the beautiful Welsh coastal town of Goodwick in Pembrokeshire, porpoises have become the hot topic in the community and with Localgiving’s support; one project has been making waves with its online fundraising efforts…   Sea Trust Wales which was the first organisation to join the new Crowdfund Wales Programme, has cause to celebrate this week as in the first five days since setting up their Porpoise Project Appeal with Localgiving, they have raised over £2000 and have unlocked their match funding of £250! Sea Trust Wales is a marine conservation charity based in Pembrokeshire, which focusses on redressing imbalances in ecosystems in the sea and more generally, conserving marine life. Due to the current restrictions, the Catch and Release Aquarium has been closed to the public and some of the vital work of the Trust cannot be undertaken, having a significant effect on the Trust’s fundraising. However, Holly Dunn, a Project Officer for Sea Trust, didn’t let this dampen her spirits and decided to turn to the community and online fundraising to generate some much needed funds.   “As a team, we didn’t have much experience of online fundraising before, we had a donate button but didn’t realise how generous people would be and how much we could increase the profile of the work that we do…we have been overwhelmed by the support of the local community!”   A group of extremely committed volunteers, led by Holly, work on the Porpoise ID Project.  The project is vital for monitoring the health of the marine environment as porpoises are one of the UK’s top marine predators so studying them tells the team a lot about the state of the sea. If porpoise populations decline in UK waters, there would be a huge impact on the food chain, therefore monitoring  is vital to ensure the entire marine eco system in Wales does not become imbalanced. Holly added: “It’s not just the porpoises that benefit from what we are doing; it has a huge impact on the local area offering opportunities for volunteers to help with the data gathering and to understand more about our local marine life. We could not run this project without the backing of our community and we have heard that giving back and being involved in something so rewarding is having a positive impact on people’s mental health during this difficult time”.  If you know of a charity or community group in Wales that might benefit from our Crowdfund Wales Programme or who would like support with their online fundraising generally, please contact our Wales Development Manager: amy@localgiving.org   For Sea Trust Wales, this is very much the start of their online fundraising journey and it is hoped that once their appeal target is reached, people will continue to make regular donations so Holly and the team can continue to protect the health of the seas. To donate to the Porpoise Project Appeal, click here and you can also follow the success of the appeal on Twitter and Facebook.