The NSPCC Centenary Appeal: setting the gold standard in major campaign fundraising, from 1984.
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The poster that launched the NSPCC’s transformational Centenary Appeal.
Giles Pegram, left, and Redmond Mullin, in the 1980s with the little book that led the way. Click on the cover to see the Fundraising Cycle, in full. Below, just one of thousands of fundraising events across the country that made this the most successful appeal of its time.
For the full story read also these linked articles: the gold standard in fundraising appeals Part 1: laying the foundations Part 2: exceeding expectations Article: the fundraising cycle. Blog: in praise of the transformational fundraising entrepreneur.
Other NSPCC exhibits on SOFII NSPCC Harry Secombe legacy campaign Other capital campaign exhibits on SOFII Longstowe ChurchMith Samlanh Cambodia.
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SOFII's viewThere are few really transformational moments in fundraising history and this exhibit sets out to capture one of them. Mostly, fundraising evolves, often quite slowly though with occasional sparks of innovation and inspiration that quicken the pace for a while. The NSPCC’s Centenary Appeal campaign in 1984 propelled fundraising practice in the UK and Europe forward in one giant leap. There had, of course, been capital campaigns on a similar scale in other parts of the world, but in Britain this audacious initiative transformed the thinking and practice of a generation. It showed fundraisers that, given the right combination of foresight, courage, professional planning and commitment to a great cause, almost anything might be possible. Medium of communication:Press advertising.Type of charity:Children, youth and family.Target audience:Awareness, social change campaign, volunteering.Country of origin:UK.Creator/originator:Giles Pegram and Redmond Mullin. Name of exhibitor:Giles Pegram, director of appeals, NSPCC.Date of first appearance:1984.Summary/objectives:To transform the fundraising prospects of a major British charity that was, at that time, punching well below its weight in terms of fundraising, publicity and ambition. To raise funds to set up a nationwide network of professional child protection teams across the UK. To build pride and expectation in the network of NSPCC professional and volunteer fundraisers so that the fundraising activity would become central to the organisation and its future. To ensure that never again would the NSPCC be restricted in its operations because it could not find the funds it needs. Background:Because of its seminal impact on a generation of British fundraisers this exhibit describes one of the most significant events in the history of fundraising in the UK. It should be read in conjunction with the two-part interview now on SOFII with Giles Pegram and Redmond Mullin, the appeal’s architects, The gold standard in fundraising success. Part 1: laying the foundations and Part 2: exceeding expectations. Special Characteristics:Risk-taking, advance planning, formulating a strategy, building a committee structure, press and other media campaigns, private and public phase fundraising, event fundraising, managing volunteers. This single campaign embodies best practice in virtually every area of fundraising activity. Influence/Impact:This was the first time in Britain that a public charity had ever mounted a capital campaign of this scale and reach. Because of this the impact of the NSPCC Centenary Appeal was huge. It led to many copycat campaigns, though few appreciated the detailed planning and commitment necessary to create a similar success. Results:The campaign raised more than £15 million against a target of £12 million – at the time the largest target ever set by a British charity for a major public campaign.
Merits:It is instructive and educational on very many fronts, as well as being an important milestone in the fundraising history of Britain. If you have additional information on this feature please contact Carolina. |
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