Simi Epstein is the Director of Fundraising for Hope House Children's Hospices. Hope House provides hospice care, respite care, bereavement support, counseling, and advocacy services for terminally ill and life-limited children as well as their families. Simi discusses how Hope House improved their marketing and fundraising efforts by focusing on specific services, creating new literature and videos, and showcasing patient stories. This led to increased demand for services, referrals, bed occupancy, donations, lottery players, and event attendees. However, interviews revealed that while existing supporters knew of and trusted Hope House, potential donors were often unaware of who and what services they provided. Going forward, Hope House aims to invest

1. Simi Epstein
Director of Fundraising – Hope House Children’s Hospices

4. Simi Epstein

5. Simi Epstein
Is it enough information to decide whether or not to come and listen to me speak?
Simi Epstein, Director of Fundraising
Does knowing what I do help you make a more informed decision?
Simi Epstein, Director of Fundraising, Hope House Children’s Hospice
Does where I work add value and help you relate to me more?

8. Opened 1995 and provided Respite and End of life Care for
terminally ill and life limited children at the hospice
Counselling and Bereavement Support
Respite, Crisis and End of Life Care in the home
Sibling Support
Social Work and Advocacy
Training for professionals
Support for families who have lost a child in whatever circumstances
Help for children who have lost a parent in sudden circumstances

9. HOPE HOUSE CHILDREN’S
HOSPICES
Did families who could benefit from our services have
enough information to know if we could help?
Did existing and potential donors have enough
information to support us?

11.  We focused on our services

12.  We produced new literature
 Focused on different services
 Created a new website
 Produced new videos
 Changed the focus of our talks and appeals
 Showcased different stories

13.  Demand for our all our services grew
 Referrals increased
 Bed occupancy improved
 2% still donated but donated more
 Lottery players grew from 3750 – 12500
 Very little growth of database

14. We needed more donors!

15.  Supporters
 Non supporters
 Volunteers
 Daisy Card Holders
 Lottery Players
 Event delegates

16.  Why did they support/not support us
 What motivated/did not motivate them to give
 How did they like to give
 What could we do differently
 What services did we provide
The results surprised us!

17. The majority of those interviewed:
 Knew who we were and trusted us
 Wanted to help the children
 Knew we provided Hospice Care, Sibling Support and Counselling which were
motivators
 Considered us a well known, much loved and well supported charity in the community
 Did not know we provided other services

18. The majority of those interviewed:
 Did not know who or where we were
 Were motivated to help children
 Once given our name said we provided Hospice Care for children
 Found some of our services non motivating
 Suggested we become more visible

19.  We have focused too much of our marketing efforts on our existing supporters and
service users
 People do not need to know everything you do to motivate them to give
 For Hope House Children’s Hospices it is all about the children
 We have to invest in more far reaching campaigns
 We have to be more targeted with our fundraising strategy

20. For potential donors
Your name is important to enable a positive snap judgment.
For existing supporters
Understanding what you provide is important for their continued financial support