With annual events like Sports and Comic Relief and the Poppy Appeal, it can be hard to make your charity stand out. Here's ten top ways to stay relevant and grow as a charity in 2020.

Celebrate your milestones

Recently reached 25 years as a charity? Hit a fundraising milestone? Host a community celebration where you can run live fundraisers and auctions, boosting your donations as you tell your supporters how you are looking to the future

Make social media create audience engagement

In such a digital world, where we’re more connected than ever before, it is easier to build a relationship with donors and future donors when using engaging and community orientated content. Ensure you work hard to refine messages and make your posts relevant to both your charity and your audiences’ lives

Ensure your website is up to date with blogs and case studies

The first place many of us now look when researching how our donations will be used is the website. It is therefore vital to keep the website up to date with current information, work you’re doing and upcoming events in order to inform donors and supporters interested in your cause

Reach out to your audience and keep them updated

E-newsletters are a great way to keep your audience interested and keep your charity in the forefront of their minds when they next look to donate or get involved in voluntary work

Speak up in the sector - make your voice known

In the charity sector, there are regular consultations, reports and statements produced to keep the public updated on the work and word of charities. This builds trust and allows open communication. Take part in such opportunities and keep an eye out for subjects you can comment on

Is your site mobile friendly? Can supporters make SMS donations?

Mobile friendly websites are the way to go as your charity is then accessible at any time, for both donations and for those looking for support. Additionally, an SMS/web giving element makes giving much easier as it can be done at the touch of a fingerprint or face ID

Adapt with changing times and go contactless

The nation is now spending more via contactless than ever before. With month-on-month reductions in the amount of people carrying cash, does your charity reflect this change in how you collect donations?

Consider looking for more trustees

Trustees add credibility and value to charities as they focus on strategies and goals. Adding a range of trustees from different professional backgrounds will give your charity a leadership boost, driving success

Partnerships with brands and other organisations

Building partnerships with brands and businesses opens the door to a larger audience and shared opportunities. You could also look at payroll giving and a long term charity partner, working together on fundraising and networking events

Inviting new patrons

Patrons are a great way of building up your charity’s profile as they publicly show their support, raise awareness of your charity and the work it does. By getting the right patron for your charity you’re adding status and credibility to your work which will make for great content for charity publications and news pages

The information in this article was provided by DONATE, which offers a range of fundraising services across SMS, web and contactless giving, working with over 2,000 charities in the past year.