CIoF takes over #GivingTuesday reins

[IN MARCH the Chartered Institute of Fundraising (CIoF) announced that from this year it will be running the #GivingTuesday campaign here in the UK. #GivingTuesday is a day of global giving that started in 2012 in the USA as a movement to inspire generosity. It has now become a global movement run in over 60 countries that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate giving in all its forms.

In each country, one organisation – a global leader – runs and supports the #GivingTuesday campaign. Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) has been the global leader for the UK for the past seven years. They have worked closely with the main Giving Tuesday organisation – based in the United States – which co-ordinates and supports the campaign around the world. CAF has now handed over the reins for running #GivingTuesday in the UK to the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. #GivingTuesday has grown to be one of the most prominent single days of giving in the UK – a campaign which any organisation can use and personalise to work for them and their cause. Last year over £20m was raised for good causes in the UK on #GivingTuesday, with over 360 million impressions on Twitter, and support from celebrities such as Stephen Fry and the Duchess of Cornwall. Over 4,000 partners have signed up to support and promote the campaign.

The #GivingTuesday campaign is centred on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, which this year will be 29 November.

Organisations can sign up to be a #GivingTuesday partner and hear more about the campaign at www.givingtuesday.org.uk.

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising’s chief executive Katie Docherty said: “I am absolutely thrilled that CIoF has the opportunity to deliver the fantastic #GivingTuesday campaign in the UK. Over the last few years it has become such an important part of the fundraising calendar and one that many smaller charities and organisations are able to hook onto to reach out to supporters and the public.

“I’m looking forward to working with our members all across the UK and partners from all sectors, as well as collaborating with #GivingTuesday leaders across the world, to promote and celebrate this day of generosity that inspires millions of pounds for good causes.

“I would like to say a huge thank you to the team at CAF who have run this campaign so successfully. They have built up #GivingTuesday here from a standing start and it’s a great testament to their commitment to the sector that they are now handing over a multimillion-pound campaign with thousands of partners signed up. I look forward to the CIoF continuing their good work and building on this success for 2022 and beyond.”

Alison Taylor, CEO of Charities Aid Foundation’s charity services and CAF Bank, said: “CAF will continue to be an enthusiastic supporter of the global day of giving and we’re excited for the plans that the CIoF have in store. The strength of #GivingTuesday comes from the grassroots charity campaigners all over the UK, who will be perfectly represented by the team at CIoF.

“It continues to inspire us that a campaign which began on social media now inspires millions of people across the world to come together to celebrate the charities and communities that mean so much to us all.” q

Re-homing is their mission

[THE MISSION of Three Counties Dog Rescue is to accept, care for and find homes for unwanted, lost and stray dogs and cats and to ensure their wellbeing afterwards. The charity was founded in 1971 and since then they have improved the lives of 7,500 dogs and cats.

Before rehoming, all animals are vet checked, neutered, vaccinated, microchipped and kept in suitable conditions. Rehabilitation costs are a major part of the charity’s annual expenditure of over £200,000.

Healthy animals are never put down. As part of that non-destruction policy, several elderly dogs are kept in long term foster care. However, this means that the charity can incur large veterinary costs to maintain a dog’s health while they await a new permanent home. They now provide boarding and cremation services with profits supporting the Rescue.

Every penny raised goes to improving the lives of dogs and cats. Three Counties Dog Rescue is run entirely by voluntary and unpaid helpers, who also meet their own expenses. q

Caring for chelonia

[THE BRITISH CHELONIA GROUP publishes six newsletters a year containing details of meetings, short articles, news items and veterinary notes. Their journal Testudo is published annually and contains original articles and reviews on all aspects of turtles, terrapins and tortoises – their biology, conservation, welfare, veterinary care and husbandry. The group also organises symposia.

As well as the yearly appeals in aid of specific international causes in chelonia research and survival, the BCG assists other worthy causes in support of its aims with grants. They invite grant applications from organisations and individuals engaged on the work of chelonia conservation – such as zoos, universities, zoologists and students in this country and overseas. q