Helping communities to thrive

Strong and resilient communities are the pulse of a thriving society. Philanthropy has an important role to play in sustaining this life force and creating the kind of social cohesion that positively glues us together.

“We are now starting to see the results of a much keener focus on philanthropic giving and the benefits this can bring in terms of our service delivery. I’m really grateful to Andrew and Gifted for the insightful, targeted guidance they’ve given us every step of the way.”

Stephanie Pisharody
Former Head of Philanthropy, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Service

Our approach

A flourishing sense of community or civic life is something we should all be thankful for. It forms part of our identity, feeds the interests we love and meets the needs of many who would otherwise feel isolated or marginalised. Our clients in this sector probably make up the broadest spread of all the charities we work with; from small village centres striving to improve their facilities, to local authorities planning multi-million pound developments such as town halls and libraries. We also work with housing associations gaining charitable status to meet the needs of a struggling community, as well as homelessness projects and child welfare charities with urgent fundraising campaigns.

So, whether you’re an Almshouse charity needing a new fundraising strategy to remain sustainable, or a Livery Company looking to build endowments through regular giving and legacy programmes, we can provide the professional support to boost your chances of success. If you'd like to find out more about the services we offer, get in touch.

"The planning of Dippy on Tour North West has been fun, inspiring and challenging all at the same time. We enlisted Gifted to add extra capacity to our team for this major project and their professional guidance has been invaluable in shaping and delivering our plans."

Darren Grice
Deputy Chief Executive, Link4Life

Further information

Client assignments
  • Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire
  • Camphill Milton Keynes Communities
  • Dublin City Council
  • Ferryhill Railways
  • Hadleigh Grand Feoffment Charity
  • Helping Hands Community Project
  • Historic Coventry Trust
  • Link4Life
  • Rochdale Development Agency
  • Saffron Walden Almshouses
  • Society of Chemical Industry
  • Spring Housing Association Ltd
  • The Airey Neave Trust
  • The Broads Authority
  • The Goldsmiths' Company
  • The North Yorkshire Moors Historical Railway Trust
  • The Skinners' Company
  • Wren Hall Trust
  • Wheatley Parish Council
Services list

Feasibility Studies
Campaign Management

Strategy Reviews and Development Audits
Periodic Consulting

Legacies
Communications

Community & Civic resources

Case Studies

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List

Bringing Partners together in a joint fundraising initiative.

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akt, National LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Charity

Finding a bespoke solution for your charity.

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The Lord Leycester Hospital

Achieving success with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

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The Kennel Club Charitable Trust

How consultancy support can reinvigorate and sustain your fundraising activities.

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Guides

How to Conduct a Charity CRM Review

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Your Guide to Campaign Communication Materials

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How To Appoint A Fundraising Consultancy

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The National Lottery Heritage Fund

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Conducting A Feasbility Study

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Your Guide to Communications Audit and Strategy

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Insights Videos

Finding A Way Through Your Next Fundraising Challenge

Dippy On Tour - A Natural History Adventure

Newsletters

Update - Spring/Summer 2026

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Spring/Summer 2026.

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2025

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Autumn/Winter 2025.

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Update - Spring/Summer 2025

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Spring/Summer 2025.

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2024

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Autumn/Winter 2024.

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Update - Spring/Summer 2024

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Spring/Summer 2024.

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2023

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Autumn/Winter 2023.

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Update - Spring/Summer 2023

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Spring/Summer 2023.

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2022

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Autumn/Winter 2022.

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Update - Spring/Summer 2022

Read about the latest Gifted updates from Summer/Spring 2022.

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2021

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Update - Spring/Summer 2021

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2020

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Update - Spring/Summer 2020

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2019

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Update - Spring/Summer 2019

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2018

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Update - Spring/Summer 2018

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2017

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Update - Spring/Summer 2017

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Update - Autumn/Winter 2016

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Podcasts

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 10: The Development Plan - your road map to fundraising success

In this episode, we review the Development Plan and the elements to incorporate when building your road map to fundraising success:

  • Created through an objective and comprehensive strategic review/audit.
  • Gives confidence and focus for the internal team, as well as key volunteers and funders.
  • Enables the development programme to progress, even when circumstances change.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 9: Can you afford to stop investing in fundraising?

In this episode, we discuss how best to make the tough decisions around funding your development team:

  • Focusing on how to generate the best return on investment, not just managing cost.
  • Using KPI's to make sure your development programme is on track to deliver the philanthropic income required.
  • Consistent performance over time should generate returns 2.5 to 4 times the sums invested, with direct costs often being met entirely by Gift Aid reclaims.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 8: Your Campaign Manager - a fundraising Alchemist!

In this episode, we discuss the Campaign Manager and the vital role they play in successful fundraising:

  • How to recruit, motivate and measure the performance of a good Campaign Manager.
  • What the partnership with volunteer leadership looks like.
  • Being the "Insistent Voice" - focusing on what's important, and not just urgent.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 7: Myths of fundraising

In this episode, we discuss some of the most common fundraising myths encountered, including :

  • The misconception that companies and grantfunders will be the biggest givers.
  • That the campaign leaders only need to give time.
  • Launching ambitious development programmes without making a commensurate investment in effective campaign management.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 6: Fundraising magic - the power of leadership

In this episode, we discuss how Leadership by example is the single most important factor that effects fundraising success:

  • The power of the 'join me' message.
  • Leadership giving is not about the size of the gift, but the collective response made by the Board and also the staff.
  • How to motivate leadership to not only give time, but money too.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 5: Communications drive your fundraising strategy

In this episode, we discuss how a Communications Plan is the 'engine room' of an effective fundraising strategy:

  • Understanding what comms tools to use for each of the three fundraising platforms.
  • Going beyond simply asking for money, to designing comms that foster relationships and reinforce positive responses.
  • Sharing the mechanics of effective fundraising communications and how best to measure performance to build a better plan?

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 4: Who to ask for a gift, when, and for how much?

In this episode, we discuss how the Prospect Evaluation & Rating process can:

  • Power your capital fundraising campaign, starting at the feasibility study.
  • Prioritise your urgent asks, by assessing your givers' capacity, interest, access and propensity to make the gifts needed to win.
  • Resolve how much money to ask each prospect to give.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 3: Legacies - the extraordinary lifetime gift

In this episode, we discuss how to create a Legacy Giving programme:

  • Today, 78% of UK wealth is held by 'baby boomers', with £5b forecast to be given away by 2050.
  • Short-termism in fundraising planning, by putting off a proactive legacy campaign, will cost your charity many future major gifts.
  • "These are the most unforgettable people you may never have met"

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 2: Planning your next Christmas/Winter Campaign

Gifted Directors Amy Stevens, Chris Goldie and Andrew Day share their extensive fundraising experience, reflecting on current challenges and emerging opportunities across the Third Sector. These candid "kitchen table" conversations offer practical insights and helpful tips on a range of fundraising topics.

In this episode, we discuss how to turn the season of 'good cheer' into fundraising success:

  • Being clear about the objectives for your Christmas Campaign.
  • When is the best time to engage your prospects?
  • Are Christmas Cards worth the effort?
  • Keeping the engagement personal, and meaningful.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Gifted Talks Fundraising Podcast 1: School Bursaries - fundraising that changes lives

Gifted Directors Amy Stevens, Chris Goldie and Andrew Day share their extensive fundraising experience, reflecting on current challenges and emerging opportunities across the Third Sector. These candid "kitchen table" conversations offer practical insights and helpful tips on a range of fundraising topics.

In this episode, we discuss how the bursaries at independent schools:

  • Have a powerful fundraising case.
  • Are grounded in a long history of educational philanthropy.
  • Not only transform the prospects for specific children, but strengthen the overall school culture.

Please send your questions or suggestions for future discussion topics to: [email protected]

Service Videos

Communication Services

Feasibility Studies

Campaign Management

Strategy Reviews and Development Audits

Periodic Consulting

Legacy Giving Programmes

Surveys

2025 Trusts and Foundations Insights Survey

Our latest report on the trends, challenges and opportunities in the Trusts and Foundations sector.

Sign up to our newsletter below to stay in touch.

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Webinar Videos

Structuring Your Capital Campaign

Transatlantic Fundraising | Part 2

Gifted Asking 2 | Five steps to successful asking

Transatlantic Fundraising | Part 1

Gifted Asking 1 | Getting ready to ask

2025 Trusts and Foundations Insights Survey Webinar

Is your database working hard enough?

Trust Foundation Report Insights

Fundraising Auctions

Charity Law: Your Questions Answered

Charity Media Appeals

To help you navigate what can sometimes feel like media madness, we have partnered with industry experts and devoted this webinar to making the most of public media appeals.

How Strong Is Your ESG Policy

Gifted Asking: Asking Well

Gifted Asking: Getting Ready To Ask

Winter Webinar Three: Getting Back To Asking

Winter Webinar Two: Grant Funding - The State Of Play

Winter Webinar One: Recovery And Reslience

Webinar Five: Planning Your Christmas Appeal

Webinar Four: Why Your Communications Strategy Is More Important Than Ever

What can we learn from outside our sector?

Webinar Three: Designing A Transformational Legacy Program

Webinar Two: Delivering A Capital Campaign

Webinar One: Planning For A Major Project