Networking for Charities – Grow Your Community

There have always been pressures on local charities, to raise income while keeping costs down, ensuring they provide the best support to those they help.

In recent years though, these pressures have increased. With costs rising and a corresponding decrease in giving, charities are having to constantly review their position to ensure they get the best return on any spending.

Here at Your Business Matters, we welcome charitable organisations within the community to join our groups with a charity space in every group. But, even with the reduced cost to charity members, how can a fundraising organisation be sure that an investment in networking is the right decision for them.

Business Networking for Increased Visibility and Collaboration Opportunities

We’ve seen some amazing results for our charitable members, so we asked them why they got involved in their networking group and what benefits have made the biggest difference to their organisation.

Speaking to four of our charity members we asked why they joined our networking groups and – more importantly – the benefits which have kept them coming back.

Firstly, let’s meet the members and their charities:

Gemma Dearsley – The Lighthouse Centre, member of Northampton Business Room

Gemma, a registered nurse, started this palliative care charity providing alternative therapies to support individuals in Northampton with life-limiting conditions.

Louise Gurney – Cransley Hospice, member of Wellingborough Business Room

Cransley Hospice is based in Kettering, Northants, providing support for families and hospice care for those with life-limiting conditions, either in the hospice or at home.

Louise Evans – Little Miracles, member of Stamford Business Room

Supporting families of children with additional needs, disabilities and life-limiting conditions, this is a growing charity providing activities, therapy, support and more.

Rachel Markham – Charity Link, member of Leicester Business Room

This Leicester-based charity supports people in hardship and crisis throughout Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire ensuring they are warm, safe and fed.

Fundraising Opportunities

Perhaps the most obvious concern for a charitable organisation is fundraising. Whatever service is being provided, there will be costs to be met – and these costs have been rising steadily.

Each of the members we spoke to mentioned the support of their groups when it came to fundraising. Louise Evans confirmed that fundraising is tough at the moment and the giving from her group has been invaluable. She said “people give to people, you’ll only build trust by being present.”

Similarly, Rachel shared, “We have received a huge amount of support in a range of ways. Members of the group have themselves become part of our Proud Business Supporter Club – a vital income stream for the charity.”

Fundraising doesn’t only happen within your networking room – in fact it rarely happens at meetings. Each of these members say they have benefitted from fundraising events held by those in their group – afternoon teas, shopping events, gallery events and more.

For both the charity and those other members of the group, there’s much to be gained through this support – our article ‘The Win-win in Corporate Giving’ shows how charitable giving can benefit your business.

Community Building

There are things charitable organisations need as much as money – volunteers, donations, even word-of-mouth support. Creating a community who care about your cause is essential to keeping momentum and supporting your work.

Again, each of these four members identified ways in which their groups had provided such support; Louise Gurney mentioned how involved the Wellingborough Business Room members are supporting events, while Louise Evans highlighted the many ways she was helped when the organisation was broken into – both practical and providing messages of support.

Gemma told me how The Lighthouse Centre benefits from a group of “People who will help you, whatever you need, no questions asked.” While Rachel says, “I was looking to join a friendly, supportive and pro-active networking group and the members are a fantastic bunch!”

We encourage those in our groups to support charities not only because of the benefits to the organisation but for the additional benefits to these other members. We explore these in our post CSR Benefits for Your Business: 4 Ways it Benefits Your Business to Help Others.

Increased Visibility

Each of our charity members listed increased visibility among their reasons for membership – as Rachel says, “Although Charity Link has been working in Leicester for over 140 years, knowledge of our work amongst the local business community in Leicester was something we were looking to increase.”

When asked about why she joined the Northampton Business Room, Gemma says “Building brand awareness and a reputation in the community was the most important driver – fundraising came after that.” Strong relationships within your networking group encourages the other members to be a voice – even a cheerleader – for your organisation.

Louise Evans told me how Little Miracles had benefited from lots of corporate partners before the pandemic, but as partner organisations suffered it was hard for everyone. The charity sees networking as key to building up corporate partnerships again, saying “There is a real desire to support local organisations.”

Strategic Alliances

I talked a little about strategic partnerships and collaboration in the post Strategic Partnerships and why you need them; the benefits outlined here are true for charitable organisations too.

• Strategic partners will understand your organisation, what you are looking for and who you can help.
• A strong relationship and clear understanding of your work means you have people around who you can share ideas and developments with, people who will help you build your organisation.
• Developing these partnerships gives you a team of supporters with skills and knowledge you don’t have.

“Members have acted as a focus group and an ideas hub – and have actively helped to spread word of our work amongst their own networks which has made a massive difference to our awareness raising activity, whether this has been sharing our social media posts or directly putting us in touch with individuals and businesses. We have also used a number of member services and having this trusted network has been invaluable”, Rachel told me.

Gemma talks about the IT support she receives from her fellow member and Louise Evans mentioned the insurance advice she received after the organisation’s break-in.

Whatever the size of your charitable organisation, networking groups allow you to make connections which will strengthen your work.

Personal Support and Development

Each of the members I spoke to picked out personal support and development as a huge benefit.

Louise Gurney told me, “Everyone is personally supportive member to member as well, they are very encouraging and welcoming. My confidence with networking has definitely grown by being part of the Business Room.” Louise mentioned this as a gain to Cransley Hospice as well her personally.

Gemma reiterated that the support and friendships from individual members provides a great benefit; while Louise Evans says “It’s not just fundraising, it’s about mentorship. Every week I’ve learnt more transferable skills, especially self-development and marketing. It also allows me to build my own confidence in what I’m doing”.

Taking the Next Steps to Success

Working within the charitable sector, brings different needs to running a business, but there are also many points of similarity. As an organisation looking to build long-term support and visibility rather than selling something directly to the room, we have seen the networking opportunities provided by Your Business Matters really benefit our members.

To end the post, I’m going to use the words of the members I spoke to and encourage you to check out your nearest meeting to see what Your Business Matters can offer your organisation.

“I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend The Business Room to other charitable organisations. It’s like having an extra team on your side that you can call upon to help make a difference and offer support during challenging times too.” Rachel Markham

“Thank you for all of the support, I would advise other charities to join.” Louise Gurney

“As a small charity, it’s invaluable to have people around to call on for help and support.” Gemma Dearsley

“Charities who aren’t involved are missing a trick. You’ve got a captive audience of people who are engaged in what you’re doing” Louise Evans