--- title: Charities are getting more vocal – and it’s working | Woods Valldata description: "Since COVID-19 hit, a desire to help those in need has swept across the nation.\nNow more than ever, people want to contribute. Giving back and supporting good causes helps us feel connected and purposeful – especially during such uncertain times." image: https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/hubfs/CovidBanner.jpeg --- [![logo](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/logo.svg)](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/) - [About](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/about/) - [How we work](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/about/how-we-work/) - [Our people](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/about/our-people/) - [Compliance](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/about/compliance/) - [Careers](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/about/careers/) - [Services](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/) - [Response handling](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/response-handling/) - [Lottery](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/lottery/) - [Affinity](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/affinity-lottery/) - [Aspire](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/lottery/aspire/) - [Advantage](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/lottery/advantage/) - [Raffle](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/raffle/) - [Fulfilment](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/fulfillment/) - [Direct Debit](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/direct-debit/) - [Data strategy](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/data-strategy/) - [Case studies](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/case-studies/) - [Resources](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/resources/) - [Insights](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/resources/?_resource_category=insights) - [Blog](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog?__hstc=147199208.9e5ab3d8a0ca3a3f5a12ec2a1f7616ec.1686240030480.1687955986587.1687958199477.32&__hssc=147199208.7.1687958199477&__hsfp=3372006991) - [Events & webinars](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/resources/?_resource_category=events-webinars) - [Glossary](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/glossary/) - [My account](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/my-account/) - [Get in touch](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/contact/) ![woods valldata](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/hubfs/CovidBanner.jpeg) # Charities are getting more vocal – and it’s working Published by [Helen Halahan](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/author/helen-halahan) on May 28, 2020 10:36:00 AM ## Since COVID-19 hit, a desire to help those in need has swept across the nation. ### Now more than ever, people want to contribute. Giving back and supporting good causes helps us feel connected and purposeful – especially during such uncertain times.    ### Should my charity highlight the impact on beneficiaries? From homelessness to domestic abuse, the pandemic has profoundly affected those who are most vulnerable. Yet, rather than pushing vital causes into the shadows, the unfolding crisis has thrown a spotlight on them, and media coverage of the need for charitable services has increased. The public is highly receptive and ready to help, as demonstrated by the incredible success of recent emergency appeals – they want to hear from you. Where appropriate, it’s definitely worth letting your supporters know what implications COVID-19 might have for your beneficiaries, as well as running COVID-19-specific emergency appeals. In our new report, The Impact of COVID-19 on Individual Giving, data gathered from February through to April shows emergency appeals outperforming forecast expectations by 40% – a fantastic result indicative of the altruistic mood nationwide.  ### How can my charity harness this goodwill? In just six weeks, a recent raffle campaign by a well-known medical research charity response rates increase by 169% and the average gift by 27% compared to the same campaign in 2019; this has nearly doubled the income the charity achieved over the whole 12 week period last year. In general, we’ve seen the average gift across like-for-like cash campaigns rise from £20 to £21, and forecast response rates were outperformed by 25%.  In other words: now is the ideal time to reach out to your current supporters for help. Your campaigns are continuing to work, emergency appeals are proving highly effective, and donors remain willing to give. We recommend you carry on fundraising, using a mix of direct mail and digital channels across emergency appeals and traditional campaigns, for acquisition and retention. If you can, try to find a unifying element in your messaging, one both your beneficiaries and supporters can connect with – after all, we’re in this together.  ### How quickly can you organise an emergency appeal?  We have decades of experience in delivering industry-leading fundraising services. From our first discussion with you, we can set up emergency appeals for processing in as little as two weeks. Our team can coordinate appeals and campaigns end-to-end, covering everything from mass mailings and response handling to payment processing and fulfilment. We’ll support you every step of the way.  On May 28, we’re running a one-hour webinar. Gina Almond of Blind Veterans UK, Jo Stone of Battersea, and Ella Pierce of Sightsavers will share their stories of how COVID-19 has impacted finance streams. We’ll also discuss useful insights from our report, ‘next steps,’ and finish with a Q&A. [To register for the webinar, please click here](https://zoom.us/webinar/register/7615899849020/WN_VHLNjmfGRjCAW83KoraEVg).      Tags: [Raffle](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/tag/raffle), [Fulfilment](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/tag/fulfilment), [Lottery](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/tag/lottery), [Appeal response handling](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/tag/appeal-response-handling), [Direct Debit](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/tag/direct-debit), [Compliance](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/tag/compliance), [Company News](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/tag/company-news) Please share this blog... - [mailto:?body=https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/charities-are-getting-more-vocal-and-its-working](mailto:?body=https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/charities-are-getting-more-vocal-and-its-working) - - [Back to Blog](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog) ### Categories - 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[Read the full blog](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/covid-19-statement-25-march-2020) ## [Direct Mail: Harnessing the Prevailing Power of Print | Woods Valldata](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/direct-mail-harnessing-the-prevailing-power-of-print) Why use direct mail as part of your multi-channel charity fundraising strategy? We’re all hearing... [Read the full blog](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/direct-mail-harnessing-the-prevailing-power-of-print) ## [The Impact of Covid-19 on Individual Giving: Q&As | Woods Valldata](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-individual-giving-qas) During our recentwebinar, we presented findings from our report on theImpact of COVID-19 on... [Read the full blog](https://info.woodsvalldata.co.uk/blog/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-individual-giving-qas) ![WV logo](https://woodsvalldata.co.uk/wp-content/webp-express/webp-images/uploads/2023/05/WV_logo_2.png.webp) At Woods Valldata, we’re here for you and there for your supporters. We offer an unparalleled range of outsourced fundraising services giving your supporters the best possible experience and helping you grow your fundraising programmes. 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Company number 03665861, VAT number GB991231322 - [Privacy](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/privacy-policy/) - [Cookies](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/cookie-policy/) - [Terms of use](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/terms-of-use/) - [Site map](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/site-map/) [![Resolution design logo](https://resolutionlabs.co.uk/cdn/resolution-dot-white-logo.svg)](https://resolutiondesign.co.uk) ## Affinity [Affinity Lottery](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/affinity-lottery/) is the ideal solution for charities looking for the joys to be had in acquiring and building relationships with players without the operational administrative burden.  This option enables your charity to increase player acquisition and boost your fundraising from the very first draw – with a prize fund with a £25,000 top prize at no cost or risk to your organisation. Perfect for: - Testing if lottery is right for your charity - When charity admin and financial resources are limited - Charities and societies of any size **[Book a demo.](https://meetings.hubspot.com/gemma-ward?__hstc=147199208.9e5ab3d8a0ca3a3f5a12ec2a1f7616ec.1686240030480.1687955986587.1687958199477.32&__hssc=147199208.1.1687958199477&__hsfp=3372006991)** Find out if Affinity Lottery is your perfect fit. [Get more info on Affinity Lottery including our ROI calculator](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/affinity-lottery/) ## Aspire Owned by you and managed by us, Aspire Lottery is perfect for charities and not-for-profits looking to increase regular giving income from a different type of supporter.   Your Aspire lottery is unique to you, perfectly matched to your cause and ready to go to deliver increased fundraising income to your charity.  Perfect for: - Quickly and easily setting up your own lottery  - Migrating a small to medium sized lottery to a more intuitive platform **[Book a demo.](https://meetings.hubspot.com/julia-seidel?__hstc=147199208.9e5ab3d8a0ca3a3f5a12ec2a1f7616ec.1686240030480.1687955986587.1687958199477.32&__hssc=147199208.1.1687958199477&__hsfp=3372006991)** Find out if Aspire Lottery is your perfect fit. [Get more info on Aspire Lottery](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/lottery/aspire/) ## Advantage Advantage Lottery is the best weekly lottery product to take you and your fundraising efforts to a higher level!   It’s customisable and adaptable to fit with the growth needs of your programme and offers greater freedom in how you run your lottery, whilst giving you everything needed to help it reach its full potential.  Perfect for: - Charities who want to make their lottery unique - Migrating a medium to large sized lottery to benefit from Woods Valldata’s experience and expertise **[Chat to us.](https://meetings.hubspot.com/julia-seidel?__hstc=147199208.9e5ab3d8a0ca3a3f5a12ec2a1f7616ec.1686240030480.1687955986587.1687958199477.32&__hssc=147199208.1.1687958199477&__hsfp=3372006991)** Let’s take your lottery to the next level. [Get more info on Advantage Lottery](https://www.woodsvalldata.co.uk/services/lottery/advantage/)