Community
& Civic
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 appointed Gifted to help us with some strategic planning and to understand how we might better serve and communicate with our supporters. The work Gifted has completed for us has given us real clarity and confidence for the way forward - we now have a direct plan for both the short and medium-long term, with realistic and achievable goals. We are sure that the deliverable recommendations in the report Gifted produced will have a huge benefit to us as we grow the charity over the coming years"
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."
Further information
- Age UK Herefordshire & Worcestershire
- Camphill Milton Keynes Communities
- CPRE Peak District and South Yorkshire
- Dublin City Council
- Ferryhill Railways
- Future Care Capital
- Hadleigh Grand Foeffment Charity
- Helping Hands Community Project
- Historic Coventry Trust
- Lapal Canal Trust
- Link4Life
- Nene Park Trust
- RCDSC Nepal
- Rochdale Development Agency
- Saffron Walden Almshouses
- Society of Chemical Industry
- Southern Thailand Elephant Foundation
- Spring Housing Association Ltd
- The Airey Neave Trust
- The Broads Authority
- The Goldsmiths' company
- The Kennel Club Charitable Trust
- The North Yorkshire Moors Historical Railway Trust
- The Skinners' Company
- Wren Hall Trust
- Wheatley Parish Council
Feasibility Studies
Campaign Management
Strategy Reviews and Development Audits
Periodic Consulting
Legacies
Communications
Community & Civic resources

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List
Bringing Partners together in a joint fundraising initiative.

akt, National LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Charity
Finding a bespoke solution for your charity.

The Lord Leycester Hospital
Achieving success with the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Kennel Club Charitable Trust
How consultancy support can reinvigorate and sustain your fundraising activities.

Your Guide to Campaign Communication Materials

How To Appoint A Fundraising Consultancy

The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Conducting A Feasbility Study

Your Guide to Communications Audit and Strategy
Finding A Way Through Your Next Fundraising Challenge
Dippy On Tour - A Natural History Adventure
Update - Spring/Summer 2025
Read about the latest Gifted updates from Spring/Summer 2025.
Update - Autumn/Winter 2024
Read about the latest Gifted updates from Autumn/Winter 2024.
Update - Spring/Summer 2024
Read about the latest Gifted updates from Spring/Summer 2024.
Update - Autumn/Winter 2023
Read about the latest Gifted updates from Autumn/Winter 2023.
Update - Spring/Summer 2023
Read about the latest Gifted updates from Spring/Summer 2023.
Update - Autumn/Winter 2022
Read about the latest Gifted updates from Autumn/Winter 2022.
Update - Spring/Summer 2022
Read about the latest Gifted updates from Summer/Spring 2022.
Update - Autumn/Winter 2021
Update - Spring/Summer 2021
Update - Autumn/Winter 2020
Update - Spring/Summer 2020

Update - Autumn/Winter 2019

Update - Spring/Summer 2019

Update - Autumn/Winter 2018

Update - Spring/Summer 2018

Update - Autumn/Winter 2017

Update - Spring/Summer 2017

Update - Autumn/Winter 2016

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]
Communication Services
Feasibility Studies
Campaign Management
Strategy Reviews and Development Audits
Periodic Consulting
Legacy Giving Programmes

2025 Trusts and Foundations Insights Survey
Our latest report on the trends, challenges and opportunities in the Trusts and Foundations sector.
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Transatlantic Fundraising | Part 2
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