Friends of Frankie

As the festive season approaches, it’s the perfect time to shine a light on you. Your incredible work in the charity sector has made a real difference, sending waves of kindness and compassion far and wide. You’ve been nothing short of amazing this year. Whether you’ve been rallying communities, providing essential support, or just being that beacon of positivity someone needed, your efforts have truly made 2024 unforgettable. You’re the heart and soul of meaningful change. I know this time of year can be busy, but I hope you carve out moments to pause, reflect, and recharge. Surround yourself with the things and people that bring you joy, and let’s head into 2025 with renewed energy and purpose. Thank you for everything you’ve done and continue to do. Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hope and possibilities. Warm wishes, Frankie

Cheers to 2025 New year, new goals, same amazing network! A huge shoutout to everyone who made 2024 an exciting, challenging, and rewarding year. Here’s to making 2025 even better – filled with big ideas, bold moves, and plenty of laughs along the way. Let’s keep the conversations going, the collaborations growing, and the good vibes flowing! Wishing you all an incredible year ahead. Let’s make it count! #HappyNewYear #2025Vibes #WorkHardPlayHard #LetsDoThis

I love this idea! I’m proud to say there are so many people that I could tag in this that I find it hard to choose just one and it’s one of the things I love about the sector - our desire to support each other. Special mentions for me this year would have to go to: Katie Higginson for always leading with kindness and compassion and being the voice of the sector in Buckinghamshire Lee Lloyd for always supporting other fundraisers and helping us to connect by setting up the Buckinghamshire Head of Fundraising Network Jo J. for helping us all with “the list” and showing once more how the charity sector supports each other. Whose your charity champion?

As December draws to a close, I find myself reflecting on what has truly been a transformative year. 2024 has been filled with exactly those kinds of moments. My work at Community Impact Bucks has been deeply fulfilling. There's something magical about sitting with grassroots organisations, seeing the passion in their eyes as they describe their vision, and helping them transform challenges into opportunities. Whether it's untangling the complexities of funding applications or strengthening governance frameworks, each interaction has reinforced my belief in the power of local action. This passion for supporting charities led to one of my proudest achievements this year - the launch of Friends of Frankie. This page has become more than just a platform for sharing advice; it's evolved into a community where we can have honest conversations about the challenges and triumphs in the charity sector. Think of it as your virtual coffee break with a friend who happens to be deeply passionate about making the third sector work better for everyone. This year has also been about using my voice for causes close to my heart. Through my volunteering with Fertility Network UK, I've helped create spaces for crucial conversations about fertility in the workplace. As someone who has walked this path, sharing these experiences - including the challenges of endometriosis, adenomyosis, and PCOS - has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. These aren't just medical conditions; they're part of many people's daily lives, and bringing these discussions into the open helps break down barriers and build understanding. My own small charity at UK Astronomy's 10th anniversary has been a highlight that holds special significance. What started as a shared passion has grown into something that touches thousands of lives, helping people discover the wonder of the night sky. Finding out that my husband has been offered an honorary doctorate from The Open University for his contributions to astronomy education was a moment of immense pride - proof that dedication and passion truly can reach stellar heights. Personal growth often comes from embracing uncertainty, which is exactly what happened when I co-facilitated the Happiness Habits course with Wendy Savill for Action for Happiness. It's amazing how the things that initially intimidate us can become sources of joy and learning. As I prepare to join NCVO as a Senior Practical Support Officer in 2025, I'm filled with excitement about the opportunity to expand my impact nationally. This new chapter represents everything I've worked toward - the chance to support and strengthen charities across the country. Looking back at 2024, I'm reminded that every small step, every conversation, and every challenge overcome has contributed to this journey. The view from here? It's pretty spectacular. What moments defined your 2024? I'd love to hear about your journey in the comments below.

I absolutely love the Three New Year’s Resolutions for Small Charities in this post — especially number 3: Look after the people. It’s been a tough year for so many of us, and if there’s one big lesson I’ve learned, it’s this: If you look after your staff and volunteers, they will deliver at their best. But if they are exhausted and fed up, that will inevitably show, and it impacts everything — from morale to outcomes. This post is a wonderful reminder to take care of our teams, focus on what truly matters, and step into 2025 with purpose and clarity. Make sure to check out the Small Charity 2025 Planning Session on 7th Jan (details in the post below).

This lunchtime, I joined the Get Grants Virtual Fundraising Network Christmas Party – a brilliant way to wrap up the year. It was great to see everyone in their festive jumpers, celebrate fundraising successes, share plans for 2024, and take part in a fun quiz (even if I didn’t win any Get Grants merch this time!). Looking forward to the next network session in January – if you’re a fundraiser, I’d highly recommend signing up via the Get Grants website. A great space to connect, learn, and be inspired! #Fundraising #Networking #GetGrants #ProfessionalDevelopment

I recently made a small £20 donation to a large charity, and I didn’t receive a thank you. Now, I get it – £20 might be a drop in the ocean when you’re chasing a £5 million target. But to me, that £20 represented about an hour of my time, and I gave it because I care. Over the years, I’ve had so many conversations in the charity sector where teams debate whether it’s worth writing thank-yous for donations below a certain threshold. Every time, I’ve argued the same point: “You can’t measure the impact of a gift by its size alone.” A £500 donation might be small for a major donor, but £5 could be huge for someone else – it might be their last few pounds of pension money or all they can afford. That deserves a thank you. Not just as a matter of principle, but because you never know what that thank you could lead to. It might foster trust, long-term loyalty, or even inspire a story that changes everything. Saying thank you costs next to nothing, but failing to do so risks so much more than a single donation. What do you think? Have you faced this dilemma in your organisation? Where should we draw the line – or should we?

Feeling the December fundraising pressure? 🎄 If your festive fundraising push isn’t quite going to plan, don’t despair! In her latest blog, Rachel Cross, Lime Green Consulting Trusts Fundraising Consultant, shares seven reasons why the world doesn’t end on 31st December for fundraisers. From the opportunities that January brings to tips on turning festive one-off donations into long-term support, this post is a timely reminder that fundraising success is a marathon, not a sprint. 👉 Read Rachel's thoughts here: https://lnkd.in/evpUHq8H 📩 And if you don’t want to miss out on more insights like this, make sure to sign up for their newsletter.

A great opportunity to work with the Cranfield Trust supporting charities that really benefit from their pro bono services. It’s a role that really does make a difference.

🚨How NOT to Hire Fundraisers 101🚨 Ever been asked an interview question that left you speechless? I have - and those questions stuck with me for all the wrong reasons. Turns out, these kinds of outdated or unrealistic questions aren’t just frustrating—they’re driving away some of the best candidates. Curious about what NOT to ask when hiring fundraisers? This is a must-read for anyone involved in recruitment or leadership in the nonprofit world. Let’s rethink the way we hire and build a fundraising culture that’s fair, realistic, and informed. #Fundraising #HiringRight #NonprofitLeadership 👇🏻