At ChangeStar, we create Fundraising DM: Direct Marketing appeals for charities. In this blog, we look at how good design techniques can transform the success of your fundraising DM appeal. We look inside the mind of a warm supporter, and acknowledge the initial negative thoughts that may pop up when they first glance at a … Continued

‘Fundraiser’s Friend’ is your source of ideas, news and comment by ChangeStar, shared with a community of hundreds of fundraisers and social changemakers. Sign up here if you’re not already receiving your free quarterly Fundraiser’s Friend by email, and join in! AUGUST 2019 ISSUE GOOD WORK! Review of an Oxfam supporter care letter One of … Continued

Kath Blaize-Smith is an Account Director at ChangeStar fundraising agency. She has an interesting insight into the work of fundraising agencies, as she was on the ‘client-side’ as Senior Marketing Manager at Macmillan Cancer Support and now works ‘agency-side’ for us! In this Q and A, she shares her insight: I have 10 years’ experience … Continued

Individual Giving is a person giving a charity a gift of money. The gift to charity could be one or more of the following: A cash donation* A regular Direct Debit donation A gift in their Will – also called Legacy Giving Purchase of raffle or lottery tickets A donation through payroll Sometimes, the money … Continued

Legacy fundraising is perhaps the most important area of individual giving in terms of the value it can provide to a charity. Yet, many charities – including some of the largest – fail to give it enough investment or priority in their communication plans. This could be for many reasons – from a lack of … Continued

Awards aren’t everything, but it’s always nice to win one!  So we were delighted that the 2014 Christmas appeal we developed with NICHS (Northern Ireland Chest Heart and Stroke) picked up the NI IOF ‘Fundraising DM Appeal of the year award’ recently. The appeal sought funds for the vital work of NICHS’s Stroke Family Support … Continued

We’re so confident in our ability to get great results that, for August only, we’re making a bold offer! We are offering to take part in a head to-head test against your current agency on your next donor appeal on a ‘no win – no fee’ basis.  If we don’t win the head-to-head,  you don’t … Continued

We’re chuffed to bits that QEF’s ‘Garden for Joy’ appeal has been shortlisted for the ‘Best use of Direct Mail’ category at the IOF National Awards.  Winners to be announced on 7th July! And , don’t forget, our Director, Richard, will be running a session at the IOF Convention in July on ‘How to raise funds … Continued