Two suppliers received high scores in the Institute of Fundraising ‘Innovation Zone’ that took place on 13th October 2009. Cleversquirrel, which seeks to uncover financial policies where a professional advisor fee remains unclaimed, and claims it for charities, and Dinner4Good, an online fundraising mechanism which encourages supporters to organise a dinner party as a way of raising money for charity, were Identified as the most successful innovations at the event.
Three suppliers took part, presenting their products for review by a panel of Institute members.
Cleversquirrel
This scheme allows donors to donate to their chosen charity without it costing them anything directly, by giving Cleversquirrel permission to retrieve the unclaimed fee on their policies. The product works on the premise that far fewer people use financial advisors today, which means that there are a higher number of policies where the financial advisor fee remains unclaimed.
SmartInform Gift Aid, from SmartDesk Systems
SmartInform Gift Aid seeks to reduce the £750m of potential Gift Aid that currently goes unclaimed each year by using voice technology to obtain declarations. It is believed that verbal declarations offer a quicker and cheaper way to obtain valid declarations, whilst offering a more personal approach than email to potential donors.
Dinner4Good
This website can be used by charities and individuals alike, and it is hoped that the iniative will attract a high number of participants. About 250 charities already have a tailored webpage on the Dinner4Good website, with £4,000 raised so far and the number of dinners arranged climbing steadily. Charities do not have a contract with Dinner4Good but they have their own webpage that can be promoted to supporters.
The panel gave each product a rating on the scale of 1-5, (1*-low, 5*****-high).
Cleversquirrel
Practical application ***
Innovation ****
Fundraising Potential ****
SmartInform Gift Aid
Practical application **1/2
Innovation ***1/2
Fundraising Potential **1/2
Dinner4Good
Practical application ****
Innovation ***1/2
Fundraising Potential ***1/2
Caroline Howe, Policy and Codes Manager at the Institute of Fundraising, says:
'Once again, the Innovation Zone has demonstrated some of the new potential tools to help fundraisers to reach donors. This is particularly important in light of the recession when fundraisers are looking for new ways to engage their supporters and access valuable funds.
'The range of innovations presented to the panel reflects the diversity of the sector and we hope the panel’s conclusions will provide Organisational members of the Institute with an insight as to whether these initiatives could work in their organisations.'
The findings of the Innovation Zone Panel have been published in a full report, exclusively for Organisational members of the Institute of Fundraising. A summary report is available for all interested parties.
The Innovation Zone takes place twice a year. Corporate and Organisational members as well as other suppliers who would like to take part or find out more are invited to email the Institute. The next event will place in February 2010, with all applications to be received by the Institute by 5 February 2010.
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For further information please contact:
Diana Mackie Tel. 020 7840 1027 / 07793 802 852
Institute of Fundraising
