Brightsource raffle summit proves to be just the ticket for charity fundraisers...
This month Brightsource hosted the UK's first-ever networking event for fundraising raffle experts. Held at the America Conference Centre in the City of London, representatives from more than 40 charities attended to hear from those at the leading edge of raffle development and to share valuable insights into what drives raffle success.
Fundraising through a recession has prompted charities to look increasingly at the benefits of alternative income streams like raffles and prize draws. Also by adding raffles to their fundraising mix, charities have discovered that not only can they engage with existing donors in a fresh and different way, but are also able to tap into a brand new audience of gamers.
Key speakers included Andrew Jones, Director of Fundraising and Communications at St Dunstan's, who explored the issue of fitting raffles into a charity's overall fundraising mix. Michael Dent, Relationship Development Manager at WRVS, revealed the secrets of dynamic raffle growth enjoyed by a smaller charity. Entitled ‘Bringing ‘gaming’ from the margins to the mainstream’, Andrew Russell, Retention Direct Marketing Manager at the British Heart Foundation, shared valuable insights into the development of the BHF raffle programme, both creatively and strategically, over the last 5 years. Clive Mollett, Chairman of the Lotteries Council, also provided clarification on the very latest legal implications for direct mail raffles.
In the afternoon delegates were able to attend two out of three breakout sessions, led by members of Brightsource's raffle team. Topics covered in these sessions included: Key success factors, Benchmarking raffle performance and Moving responders up and down a multi-book ladder. The conference closed with a panel session, offering a snapshot of the activities and experiences of using raffles as a powerful recruitment and reactivation tool, from four charities - including: PDSA, Royal British Legion, Parkinson's Disease Society and SENSE Scotland.
Feedback from delegates has been incredibly positive. Described by one delegate as “one of the most informative and useful seminars I have been to in a long while!” and by another as “one of the best training things I have been to in my 10 years in the sector.” Another delegate's view of the summit captured the consensus of opinion at the close of the day - “it's definitely given us a lot of food for thought.” Such was the success of the event Brightsource is now considering running a follow-up next year. “Frankly, we were overwhelmed by the terrific response to this the first conference that Brightsource has organised”, exclaimed Peter Frings, MD at Brightsource. “Raffles are now an important feature of the fundraising programme for an increasing number of charities. There is clearly a huge thirst for knowledge - Brightsource hopefully facilitated an excellent networking opportunity for the free exchange of ideas and information for developing this significant income stream”.
