AVCT: campaign brand and messaging*
Brief: Changed the focus of the campaign from saving heritage to conserving the space as a community resource – with a focus on people.
Onsite posters and social media
Significantly increased campaing visibility. On-site donations increased by 30% in the first two months. One donor, who gave £1,000 to the appeal, said she had done so as a response to the A1 posters shown above (which were displayed near the café). To thank her, I invited her to a 'breakfast bacon-butty tour' – she later encouraged her siblings to donate £1,500.
Also see Arnos Vale case-for-support documents
AVCT: Social media campaign
Fundraising efforts gained impetus in the campaign's final two months of the campaign. In May, I posted a stories about donations made with the donor's motivations. In June I ran a 'facts about us' + ask social media campaign on Facebook and Twitter, signposted to our Virgin Money donation page – the results show increased donations and engagement.
[screen shot taken 13 July 2016]
AVCT comedy weekend fundraiser*
Role: event co-ordinator, publicity designer, community fundraiser.
As Development Manager, I connected with comedian, Mark Olver to put on two fundraising gigs. Comedians waived their fees.
Raised: £2,500 (£5,000 HLF-matchfunded) from ticket sales, a bucket collection and bar run by the ever-supportive Friends of Arnos Vale Cemetery (100 seater venue).
Engaged: new audience (many drawn from outside the Cemetery’s local area of support – postecode analysis), 25–30% had never before visited the site.
Spring Eternal fundraising gala*
Event: Spring Eternal fundraising gala
Role: event organiser, event branding, gained sponsorship, project management.
Video and event photography: Harrison Dowling:
Strongly branded, simply dressed event with thrift (flowers in jam jars, volunteer-made desserts) made a feature and reason to suuport.
Budget: Reduced projected event costs from £21k to just £1,600 by re-shaping planned formal event to an informal evening of entertainment – local and national business sponsorship and pro-bono performances.
Attendance: over 70 guests; Bristol philanthropists and AVCT supporters including Bristol's Mayor, Lord Mayor and High Sheriff.
Raised: £7,500 after costs, doubled to £15k by HLF match-funding.
Stewardship: invited non-attendees and interested parties to ‘Breakfast bacon butty tours” elicting further £2,250 donations and interest in future ambassadorship