Blog
Pick up the phone….what’s the worst that can happen?
I have been with Jewish Child’s Day for 9 months as the Head of Income Generation. My career in fundraising started at the other end of the age spectrum with Nightingale Hammerson. The challenge of re-learning how the lives of children vs adults needing care has been an exciting and rewarding process. Prior to entering the charity sector I spent over 30 years in the City in sales and trading roles for asset managers, investment banks and stockbrokers.
Fundraising for me is all about being able to communicate directly with our donors what we do, how we do it and the impact their generosity has on lives around the world.
“Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much Helen Keller
The above quote resonates with me as our donor base is very diverse in terms of the amounts that we receive. All those amounts add up to a big amount we didn’t have at the beginning of the day. Never underestimate the impact that our collective giving has.
I am of the generation that picks up the phone. By speaking directly to our donors I can offer an up to date picture of what our charity is doing. I am still genuinely surprised at the generosity of our community in supporting those organisations that provide a better life for those less fortunate or unable to cope with the pressures of modern life. Many people I speak to actually thank me for calling them and this I believe stems from the feeling that people do want to give and just need the right opportunity to do so.
I am fortunate that we have a strong donor base many of whom have supported us for decades. Such long term friendship is a partnership. I endeavour to keep our supporters informed with how we use the money entrusted to us.
Fundraising is hard but always evolving
Many things in life are hard but are extremely gratifying when achieved. I am told frequently that fundraising is hard. Yes, it can be. But when I have been able to successfully communicate why a donors’ help is needed and they make a gift it is extremely rewarding on a personal level.
Marking 75 years and we are still here today
At the time of writing we are in the midst of the crisis in Ukraine. The organisations we are in contact with have needed our support to arrange for the children in their care to make a hazardous journey to safety. This journey will be a series of stepping stones. At each stage Jewish Child’s Day will be there for them as we were 75 years ago after WW2.
The team at JCD work on many projects throughout the year. We are currently finalising plans for our Trek through Israel at the beginning of May. We will take four days to trek from the Mediterranean coast to the Galilee during which we will have the opportunity to meet children from some of the projects we have been able to award grants too in the past year.
At the end of May, we have a team of five cycling in the RideLondon event. This is a 100-mile route starting in central London then through Essex and finishing back in London on Tower Bridge. I am one of the team and my training has started by cycling to and from the office most days.
From my fundraising perspective of wanting to meet our donors in person, we have plans for smaller events later in 2022. As with all things currently, I plan with the knowledge that nothing is certain but you will be kept in touch as the year progresses.
I hope to have the opportunity to meet many of you in person. If you would like to speak to me about how you can impact the lives of disadvantaged children, please pick up the phone. What’s the worst that can happen.
Warm regards,
Russell
* Thanks to the generosity of our loyal donors, we were able to award £15K to Mishpacha Odessa Children’s Orphanage. This was an emergency response as they had to evacuate 120 orphans to Moldova