Oxfam targets major donors online

Oxfam is a name not necessarily associated with high-end giving, but with the launch of Projects Direct in June, the charity began raising its profile in this area.

Projects Direct is a web-based ‘shop window’ that allows donors to invest directly in a broad range of projects, all of which work with and through communities and local partner organisations around the world.

Sarah Thomas of Projects Direct’s Programme Partnerships team explained: “We wanted to do better at developing long-term relationships with new and existing supporters that meet their giving goals, as well as make a difference to poverty and suffering in the world. The idea is that together, we can deliver change.”

Projects Direct address issues important to Oxfam donors, including connection, impact, transparency and cost-effectiveness. For instance, project profiles clearly describe the issue at hand and how Projects Direct plans to work with, and support, partners and the communities to deliver change. Donors have an opportunity to visit the project, in addition to receiving twice-yearly progress reports, which also address longer-term impacts.

Projects Direct guarantees that 100% of a supporter’s money is invested in their chosen project, which provides a forecast budget at the outset. Several of the projects offer matched funding by Oxfam supporters.

Currently, matched-funded projects include a venture in Nepal that is part of the South Asia-wide WE CAN campaign, which seeks to end violence against women; and another in Sudan that focuses on the development of small businesses and other income generating opportunities working particularly with women.

To learn more about Projects Direct, contact Sarah Thomas in the Programme Partnerships Team on 01865 473915, or visit Projects Direct.

"Oxfam combines its grass-roots and advocacy work very well - governments and decision-makers listen to what Oxfam has to say, and take what it says seriously. For me, that's essential.”

Dr Frederick Mulder, philanthropist

Photo: ©Annie Bungeroth/Oxfam

New website connects wealthy donors to charities

The Big Give, a new website that allows wealthy givers to donate from £100,000 to £10m to charitable projects, will be launched this month by the Reed Foundation. The website enables wealthy donors to search for projects by the amount of funding needed, sector, location and type of beneficiary. Potential charity participants include Oxfam, the Red Cross and NSPCC. Alec Reed, founder of the Reed recruitment company, will personally distribute £1m in the first year through the project. Visit The Big Give.