First book published for fundraising in Finland

The first dedicated book for fundraising in Finland is to be published this month, equipping charities across the nation with knowledge and ideas for raising funds for good causes. The book also contains specific guidance to help fundraisers adapt to new legislation for public fundraising, which came into effect on 1^st March 2020.

Written by Pia Tornikoski, secretary general of the Finnish Fundraising Association (VaLa), ‘A Million (or) Cupcakes’ gives guidance for writing a fundraising strategy, practical tools to help fundraisers understand the donor journey at both an individual and corporate level, and features interviews with 17 charities about their fundraising programmes.

Pia Tornikoski, VaLa

Tornikoski says:

“It’s becoming more and more challenging for charities to generate income, with public funding cuts adding to the pressure and making it all the more important for fundraisers to develop new sustainable income streams. But it’s not always easy to find the information they need or to recognise what really works in the Finnish donor market.

She highlights that the large majority of charities raise less than 10,000 Euros annually and cannot afford to employ a specialist fundraiser.

“The new Finnish Fundraising Act will broaden the opportunities for soliciting donations, particularly among smaller and locally-based charities. With this book, the intention is to equip charities with the practical tools they need to really succeed in their fundraising and to celebrate and champion best practice in the field.”

Tornikoski served as a member of the working group for fundraising legislation reform. She also fed into the European Centre for Not-for-Profit Law’s report Principles for statutory regulation and self-regulation of fundraising, which will be published shortly.

The book can be ordered from Kansalais Foorumi.