Watts Gallery: Saving the Collection with Text & Web Giving
How Watts Gallery raised £10,672 through a 100-mile Physical Energy Challenge from London to the Isle of Wight, with over 70% of donations coming through DONATE™ and an average gift of £63.
Watts Gallery – Artists' Village in Guildford celebrates the life of Victorian artist GF Watts. The organisation houses a collection of over 7,000 artworks requiring £21,000 annually for conservation and care.
The Campaign
During September 26–27, 2015, staff, trustees, and supporters completed the Physical Energy Challenge, covering 100 miles from London to the Isle of Wight. This journey drew inspiration from one of Watts's masterpieces and aimed to fund collection conservation efforts.
A ten-person fundraising team leveraged the DONATE™ platform through multiple channels: website links, social media, email campaigns, on-site notices, and visitor flyers. Team members encouraged donations via text code and shortened URL, with support from the local mayor and press coverage.
The Result
Total raised: £10,672
- Over 70% of donations came through DONATE™
- 180+ total donations received
- Average donation: £35 (£63 excluding £5 text gifts)
- 5.5 times the 2014 donor count
"Each of the challenge participants used the platform to raise funds from their network. The combination of text giving and sponsorship provided all we needed."