How to make a successful appeal for churches and charities (updated for Charities Act 2022)

Making a financial appeal to meet a specific need is a tried and tested way for churches and Christian charities to raise funds. It sounds simple enough, but there are a surprising number of pitfalls to avoid! What happens when things don't go to plan? And what does the law say when an appeal does not raise sufficient funds, or even an excess of funds? This paper sets out some practical considerations about how to construct an appeal that will have the best chance of success.

Topics covered:

• What is a 'failed' financial appeal and what are the different types of 'failure' according to the law?
• A practical guide to launching a successful financial appeal for churches and Christian charities;
• Is there a place for conditional gifts in a financial appeal?
• Should the proceeds of a financial appeal be held in a separate bank account?

The Appendix to the paper presents a flowchart to aid decision making in what can be a complex area of charity law.