We have some news…
After 22 years of stewardship by the Elischer family and the other Directors of THINK over the years, we are proud to announce that THINK is now owned by a brand new Board of four Executive Directors, all of whom take on new roles and responsibilities 1/5
Welcome to the team
@Rusty_Steed
! 🥳
We're so excited to announce that Becky Steeden joins us in a few months' time as our brand new Digital Projects Manager.
During her time
@RNLI
, Becky has transformed social media and we could not be more thrilled to have her join the team.
Some lovely news to share with you all as we enter the final weeks of 2023…
We’re delighted to announce that the brilliant Becky Steeden (
@Rusty_Steed
) has been promoted to Consultant, and will start this new role in January. 1/2
Over the past 4 years, we’ve analysed data from 40 UK charities, using 197 different data sets, to look at trends in supporter stewardship.
These are the 7 key insights we found:
THINK's 2019 Benchmarker - CORPORATES: was once again identified as an area where charities expected their income to increase over the next 2 years. Surprising given the continued lack of growth in the UK’s Corporate fundraising market.
📣We're looking for a new consultant to join our team from January!
🟣Are you motivated by a continual stream of new challenges?
🟣Do you love to problem-solve?
🟣Are you committed to helping teams and individuals deliver top-quality fundraising?
This might be the role for you:
@InnovationMatt
will be stepping into the role of Managing Director and successor to ensure the business’s long-term future.
In the four years Matt has been part of the team, he has made a significant impact on the work we do and the way we do it.
We're very excited to have a fresh coat of paint to the THINK brand from today. The eagle-eyed among you may have spotted it already, but we hope you’ll indulge us a quick thread to share some of the details...
Over the past 4 years, we’ve analysed data from 40 UK charities, using 197 different data sets, to look at trends in supporter stewardship.
These are the 7 key insights we found:
It’s that time of year when we get our famous purple notebooks printed…
Like last year, we’re running a competition to pick our new cover quote. The winner gets five free notebooks as a thank you.
Just reply to this tweet or DM us your quote to enter. Good luck 💜
At this time of year, continuing with true THINK tradition, we want to share our thoughts for the year ahead... 🤔
Legacies! Legacies! Legacies!
Legacy income is forecasted to reach £5 billion for the sector over the next decade. There is still so much room for growth! 🧵 1/20
Congratulations to
@InnovationMatt
who has been made a Senior Consultant
@ThinkCS
- great job from all the team and we look forward to working with you in 2021.
Our exciting news continues…
We’re delighted to announce the launch of THINK Recruitment. After 15 years of finding our clients the perfect interim manager, we’re now expanding our recruitment services to include permanent roles. 1/2
Delighted to announce that Tony Banks
@tonyleebanks
will be joining the
@ThinkCS
team as a Consultant next month. Tony brings a wealth of fundraising and communications experience, having just left
@TheStrokeAssoc
as their Head of Conference & Events. Welcome to the team, Tony!
Charity sector email marketing benchmarks are something we're frequently asked for by clients.
@NeonOneTech
's 2023 Nonprofit Email Report is an excellent resource for non-profits with some incredibly valuable data including:
Today we’re celebrating THINK’s 20th birthday! We’ve come a long way since THINK was 'born' back in 2001, when our founder, the late Tony Elischer, set out to establish a consultancy of fundraisers for fundraisers:
We are delighted to announce that
@MicheChambers
becomes THINK’s first ever Chief Executive.
Her leadership over the last eight years has seen THINK go from strength-to-strength, and we could not be prouder to be led into this new era by such an innovative female trailblazer.
Over the past 4 years, we’ve analysed data from 40 UK charities, using 193 different data sets, to look at trends in supporter stewardship.
These are the 6 key insights we found:
Congratulations to all the winners and every nominee at
@CIOFScotland
’s Scottish Fundraising Awards 🥳
It’s been our pleasure to sponsor the awards again this year. Thank you to the brilliant
@G_Rock_Steady
for hosting, the organising committee and panel of judges. What a night!
It’s one of our favourite days of the year - the debut of the latest edition of our beloved purple notebooks!
If you’re at
#NHSCharitiesConference
and have your hands on one - we’d love to see pics of you with yours! 💜
The
@thinkcs
team is saddened by the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. Her dedicated service to the nation and countless numbers of charities is beyond compare. We join with the sector, the nation, and the royal family in paying tribute to a unique and remarkable woman
The THINK team were saddened to hear the news of Mark Astarita’s passing. Mark was such a big and impactful figure in the sector, he will be missed. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends and the team at
@AawIgnite
at this sad time.
We are also pleased to announce promotions for
@garyker
&
@JulsMarieB
who become Executive Directors, both have shown tremendous tenacity and business acumen and will add so much to the Board going forward.
At this moment of change we would like to extend our thanks to you all.
We have a winning quote for the 2023 THINK notebook! It's none other than the inimitable
@dollyparton
, thanks to
@rory_fundraiser
- Rory, drop us a DM and we'll arrange to send you your 5 free notebooks once they've been printed. Thanks to everyone who took part 💜
Since 2014 the
@RNLI
have turned 5,000 decommissioned lifejackets into bags, tablet sleeves, wallets and various other items as part of their ‘235 Made for Life’ range, saving £17k in disposal costs & generating 10s of thousands in income
There’s been lots of 💜 for the famous 🟣 THINK notebooks this week. They’re free for delegates at conferences we attend. But if you can’t make it to one this year, we’ve got 5 to give away. To get your hands on one, reply telling us which quote (famous or not) most inspires you:
A massive well done for all you have achieved
@RNLI
, Becky. A true social media pioneer for the sector!
We can't wait for you to join us following your break! 💜
.
@garyker
, who was Director of Fundraising at
@children1st
since 2020, will be our new Head of Interim and a Senior Consultant. Gary is returning to THINK after working with us previously as a Senior Consultant, and we’re all looking forward to welcoming him back.
THINK Consultant
@tonyleebanks
, formerly Head of Events at
@TheStrokeAssoc
, joined our team a year ago.
@Rusty_Steed
, previously the social media lead at
@RNLI
, became our Digital Project Manager in May.
Here they chat about their first months at THINK:
We are thrilled to announce that our THINK Trainee Consultant roles are now open for applications!
To find out more about these amazing opportunities, simply send an email to careers
@thinkcs
.org, and we’ll send you a candidate pack with all the juicy details about the role.
We’re excited to be recruiting into our staff team again, this time for new Trainee Consultants.
▪️ £58,000 +bonus
▪️ Work from anywhere in the UK
▪️ Structured development plan
To find out more, please email careers
@thinkcs
.org and we will send you the job pack next week.
We’re delighted to be back at the
#NHSCharitiesConference
again …
And like last year, it also marks the debut of our brand new notebook.
“No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world.”
Robin Williams
The
@thinkcs
would like to thank everyone who helped deliver such an energetic and inspiring two long days at the
@IoFScotland
#ScotConf18
- the
@thinkcs
team had a fabulous conference and enjoyed meeting old and new colleagues in the sector - well done!
Today marks 20 years since Tony and Nicky Elischer started THINK.
Over the next twelve months we’ll be celebrating with special events, sharing our fundraising highlights from the last two decades and looking forward to what comes next.
.
@_BeMoreDigital
has designed a 6-week course for the people that feel overwhelmed by digital and don’t know where to begin. Or perhaps are feeling left behind. They know digital is important but they’re worried they could make some expensive mistakes
1/4
We’re right in the thick of charity conference season - prime time for getting your mitts on our coveted, purple notebooks!
So we’d love to know: who’s got the oldest THINK notebook stashed away OR the biggest collection? Show us your photos – there’s a prize up for grabs!
We’re excited to be recruiting into our staff team again, this time for new Trainee Consultants.
▪️ £58,000 +bonus
▪️ Work from anywhere in the UK
▪️ Structured development plan
To find out more, please email careers
@thinkcs
.org and we will send you the job pack next week.
Love the idea of
@BritishRedCross
's 'headspace day' every other Friday. No meetings 🙅 so everyone can really get their head down and do what they need to do with their work day: take time to think, catch up with their inbox, or brainstorm.
#CharityDigital
.
@InnovationMatt
has become our Director of Transformation & Innovation, and Simon Dickson is now our Director of Strategic Consultancy.
Together with
@MicheChambers
, Matt and Simon will lead on our ambitious plans to expand our offer to the sector [2/2]
The last 2 years saw unprecedented change to how we communicate, raise £ & build communities. At the
@NHSCharities
#NHSCharitiesConference
today, THINK's
@tonyleebanks
is exploring 5 digital trends to watch: streaming, cryptocurrencies, digital communities, e-commerce & TikTok
We’re hiring a new Senior Consultant to join our stellar team! We are looking specifically for someone with a strong background in Individual Giving, with practitioner experience at Head of level or above.
Salary is £70,000, based anywhere in the UK.
It is with great sadness that we have heard of the death yesterday of Margaret Bennett.
Margaret was there right at the beginning of THINK - before the beginning even - and played a huge part in its development until her retirement in 2015 [1/2]
Join us on Wed 1st December for Digital Fundraising for Beginners. A one-day online training session that covers the A-Z of the new world of digital marketing and fundraising.
For more info, and to book your place, get in touch with
@InnovationMatt
or email mattsmith
@thinkcs
.org
Over the past 5 years, we’ve analysed data from 40 UK charities, using 193 different data sets, to look at trends in supporter stewardship. These are the 6 key insights we found:
.
@wearemassive
has released it's annual Top 25 report, highlighting the top charity fundraising events of 2022.
The fastest growing events were:
🟣
@CR_UK
's Christmas Jumper Day +67%
🟣
@CR_UK
's Relay for Life +53%
🟣
@BreastCancerNow
's Afternoon Tea +31%
Thank you to our incredible clients, sector partners and friends for their continued support over the last two decades and we look forward to working together as we navigate the challenges and opportunities to come 💜
Okay, it's Friday, it's sweltering, and we need to get to the bottom of this. Where does the charity sector stand on pineapple on a pizza? Is THINK's
@InnovationMatt
right or is this an abomination?
It’s really encouraging to see these stats from
@Caf
showing a 9% increase in the total amount donated in the UK year-on-year.
Whilst fewer people donated in 2023 when compared to the year prior, the average monthly donation increased by nearly 40% to reach £65.
Good luck to all those charities opening up their shops today and well done to all the teams who have worked hard to prepare for this moment. Enjoy the moment from all the
@ThinkCS
team.
We’re really looking forward to seeing so many of you in person later this week for a jam-packed schedule at
@CIOFScotland
’s Scottish Fundraising Conference
It’s the Best use of Event or Community Fundraising Initiative award at Scottish Fundraising Awards
Well done to
@StAndrewHospice
for their Grand Snowflake Ball
#ScotConf
We're delighted to announce the newest member of the THINK team - our new Business Support Manager -
@nk_abani
.
NK brings a wealth of business development experience from the housing sector and we can't wait for her to start next month. Welcome to the team NK!
We can’t wait to celebrate our 20th birthday tonight
@britishlibrary
🥳
We’ll be joined by THINKers past and present, clients and sector friends all of whom have played such a huge part in our story to-date.
#THINK20
💜
.
@Caf
has released the UK Giving Report 2023, the largest study of giving behaviour in the UK.
It tells the story of giving in 2022: the public’s generosity in response to the invasion of Ukraine in the first half of the year and, latterly, the cost-of-living crisis impact.
1/3
We’re really honoured to be speaking at this week’s NHS Charities Together National Conference. Together with a network of more than 230 UK charities,
@NHSCharities
do incredible work to provide the extra support needed to care for NHS staff, patients & communities
We’re thrilled to welcome
@nk_abani
to the THINK team today! NK joins us as our Business Support Manager, a brand new role to ensure our processes and systems run efficiently and effectively, allowing us to focus on relationships and delivering projects to the highest standard
This is important advice for charities, given this afternoon's news - don't forget to include paid advertising campaigns and scheduled email broadcasts also.
If you're heading to
#CIOFFC
today, look out for our
@MicheChambers
- she'll be on the panel today for the 'How to Digitally Transform Without Transformation - Creating a Successful Digital Strategy' session at 12.15 (part of the Strategy, Innovation & Income Generation track)
Coming up next at
#IFC2023
is the first workshop sessions…
If you’re undecided, head along to the innovation session led by
@InnovationMatt
and
@peterlreynolds
Attendees will have a chance to win a THINK notebook for their contributions.
Each year we produce the famed purple THINK notebooks, which we give to fundraisers at events and conferences. And each year the notebook features an inspiring quote.
We’re looking for a quote for our brand new notebook and we’d love to feature one of your favourites.
By popular demand, it's back!
Digital Fundraising For Beginners is an interactive, one-day online course ideal for:
🟣 Fundraisers new to digital fundraising
🟣 Team leaders looking to increase their confidence and skill in this area
The next session is Weds 1st June 10am - 4pm
The news has felt pretty bleak and dark this week. We'd love to hear about the joyful moments of your week so far - the successes you've seen, the results you've achieved; the things you're looking forward to or feeling inspired by. Fundraising-related or otherwise.
Congratulations to
@MrJoeJenkins
and the team at the
@childrensociety
for launching their emergency Lifeline appeal - fabulous that
@victoriabeckman
decided to donate for her birthday pressie money last week to the appeal. Good luck from all
@ThinkCS
The team are working hard on this year’s update of the THINK Market Trends and Insights Monitor – a comprehensive review of the UK fundraising landscape.
Available in April 2022. For more information about the Monitor please visit
We’re at the Legacies
#ScotConf
track hearing from Claire Mackie
@alzheimerssoc
and Duane Saunders
@mariecurieuk
about the “full circle” approach to legacy fundraising.
“Treat every supporter as if they could be a legacy pledger” ❤️
So slightly different this year but looking forward to attending
@IoFtweets
#IoFFC
Fundraising Convention today. In tradition there was naturally only one notebook I could use! Thanks
@ThinkCS
and look forward to seeing many of you virtually.
.
@Shelter
's chief exec Polly Neate got first-hand experience of the operations and volunteer ethos of another national charity, the
@RNLI
, when their
@swanagelifeboat
crew rescued her after a climbing accident. Polly told her story for their BBC series
#SavingLivesAtSea
:
I hardly ever promote donations to other charities - I know only too well how fully we depend on donors’ generosity
@Shelter
- but this film (below) shows exactly why I support
@RNLI
ICYMI you can watch how they rescued me on catch up
#SavingLivesAtSea
The final session of an incredible
#NHSCharitiesConference
is a THINK favourite…
I Wish I’d Thought of That!
Member charities sharing fundraising concepts that they admire 💙
THINK has been a committed supporter and friend to SOFII over the years, so we are delighted that Tony is stepping into this role.
He’ll remain part of the wider THINK family as an Associate Consultant. So a win-win for us all and the sector as a whole. Congratulations Tony! 💜
📢 Big news!📢
We are delighted to announce that consultant, events fundraiser extraordinaire &
#IWITOT10
winner
@tonyleebanks
will be joining SOFII as our Director in late June! 🎉
Please join us in congratulating Tony on his appointment & welcoming him to the SOFII family. 👏
Hello to everyone arriving at
@TheResAlliance
#IFC2023
👋🏻
The THINK team (
@MicheChambers
@InnovationMatt
and Simon Dickson) are here and looking forward to catching up with fundraising friends old and new.
Wishing everyone a brilliant IFC! 🧡💜
This Valentine's Day, let's share some love.
Fundraisers:
💜Give a shout out in the comments below to someone in the sector you're grateful to or inspired by
or
💜Tell us about a recent charity campaign you love and what makes it so ace
We're always excited about the Digital Forum but today we're extra excited because the agenda is Off. The. Hook.
🟣The wonderful
@charitychap
talking GA4
🟣The energetic
@joshleighonline
talking TikTok
🟣Social Mind talking WhatsApp & Messenger for stewardship
We loved hearing from
@NicolaGunn_
from
@EdinDogCatHome
in yesterday’s webinar with
@TheResAlliance
. Nicola shared how they’ve seen a rise in
#cryptocurrency
donations in the past 5 months and how they are now investing in resource to push this income opportunity more…
It’s our Community Fundraising Forum’s second June meeting today.
Our members have been discussing fundraising groups, the latest benchmarking data and their common challenges.
Recruitment, bank closures and new types of volunteering have been the big topics of conversation.
Becky’s encyclopaedic knowledge of all things digital is only matched by her compassionate and forensic approach to finding the right solutions for our clients.
We’re sure you’ll all join us in wishing Becky well done and good luck in her new role.
Congratulations Becky! 🤩
As we step into Christmas week and the end of the year approaches I am delighted to share the
@ThinkCS
team predictions for
#2021
. We hope our musings give food for thought in the closing weeks of this extraordinary year.
First up we have Cody,
@tonyleebanks
' Chief Wellbeing Officer, responsible for getting Tony away from his desk and generally interrupting Teams meetings: