Call the right people at the right time in the right way, without leaving the rest behind.

Over the past decade, the shift away from real-time communication towards messaging has changed how many people expect to interact. But when it comes to meaningful conversations - whether asking for regular giving or opening up legacy discussions - one-to-one, real-time contact still plays a vital role.

We help institutions use telephone campaigns in a way that feels relevant, considered and effective, combining the strengths of digital and voice to support long-term fundraising growth.

A flexible approach to telephone fundraising

While digital channels are essential for reach and convenience, they don’t replace every kind of conversation. Some moments benefit from time, trust and the ability to respond in real time.

Hubbub’s approach to telephone campaigns brings together data, technology and practical delivery support to make calling more focused and less resource-intensive. The result is telephone fundraising that works alongside your wider communications - and supports regular giving, stewardship and long-term engagement without adding unnecessary strain.

The basics: a more considered approach to calling

However you structure your calling, effective telephone fundraising tends to follow the same core principles.

Start with relevance

Calling works best when it’s driven by purpose, not volume. The right audience, a clear reason for calling, and good timing make conversations feel welcome rather than intrusive.

Make space for real conversations

Whether delivered in a short campaign or spread across the year, telephone fundraising is most effective when there’s time to listen, follow up, and let conversations develop naturally.

Support it properly

Confident callers, clear planning and the right technology remove friction for both teams and donors - turning calling into something that feels manageable and worthwhile.

One channel, three ways to use it

Traditional telephone appeals

This is the classic telephone appeal, delivered within a defined window, but with clearer priorities and tighter execution. It works well when you want to build momentum around a specific ask, while keeping the campaign manageable for your team and positive for donors.

How we support you: We help you scope the campaign clearly, shape call pools and messaging, and provide the right level of training and delivery support to keep things focused and realistic.

Key features:

• One core campaign with a defined start and end point
• Call pools matched to realistic calling capacity
• Strong use of booking and follow-up
• Emphasis on quality conversations over call volume

Mini-appeals

Mini-appeals break calling into two or three shorter campaigns delivered across the year. Each has a clear focus, making it easier to tailor conversations, align with other activities, and reach supporters when they’re more likely to be available.

How we support you: We work with you to plan each appeal, reuse learning and infrastructure, and provide consistent support so delivery feels joined-up rather than repetitive.

Key features:

• Targeted call pools per appeal
• Messaging aligned to specific segments
• Easier integration with Giving Days and digital activity
• More flexibility than a single annual campaign

Year-round calling

Year-round calling replaces short bursts of activity with an ongoing programme of conversations. A small, retained team calls throughout the year, allowing time for follow-up, responding to key moments, and building familiarity that leads to stronger engagement over time.

How we support you: We help you embed calling into your wider fundraising rhythm, with structure, insight and regular review to keep the programme purposeful, sustainable and responsive.

Key features:

• Continuous calling rather than short bursts
• Multiple attempts over time improve reach
• Supports stewardship, upgrade and reactivation activity
• Builds long-term value and donor insight

Customer testimonial

“A huge thank you also to Heather Eggelton and Hubbub Fundraising who supported us with the training of our callers. Hubbub have been fantastic with their advice and support and I look forward to working with them again for our next Giving Day!”

Katie Tyler, Philanthropy Officer, Benenden School

Software and technology features

Easy-to-use software

Our intuitive and easy-to-use Telephone Appeal software ensures both supervisors and callers have clear and simple interfaces, real-time reporting, and strong caller pool, segment and data management.

Multi-channel continuity

By leveraging our Donor Engagement and Causes platforms alongside your Telephone Appeal, you will reach audiences with the same messaging and compelling caller engagement for whom phones are not the best channel, or you didn’t manage to connect with during the campaign.

Reporting and analytics

With customised reporting templates and detailed post-campaign analytics from digital and phone channels, you’ll be able to plan for your next appeal with confidence and clarity.

Go further: FundCoach

Great telephone campaigns depend on the quality of the conversations taking place. FundCoach, our AI fundraiser training tool, gives callers the chance to practise real fundraising scenarios before they ever pick up the phone, helping them build confidence, handle objections more naturally and arrive on calls better prepared.

Used alongside your telephone campaigns, it raises call quality, consistency and confidence - especially for new or less experienced callers.

Where telephone appeals make the difference

Create moments of real connection that strengthen giving, trust and long-term engagement across your community.

• Give donors the space for real conversation - helping them feel valued, heard and more closely connected to your institution.
• Support more considered giving by enabling conversations that go beyond a quick response, unlocking regular gifts and longer-term commitment.
• Reconnect with supporters who don’t always respond to digital channels, offering a more personal way to bring them back into the conversation.
• Reinforce relationships through stewardship and appreciation, reminding donors of their impact and their place within your community.
• Add depth and context to Giving Days and digital appeals by following up with a human voice at the moments that matter most.
• Build confidence across your institution by demonstrating the ongoing strategic value of voice as part of a thoughtful, well-balanced fundraising programme.

How we’ll work with you

A partnership built around your team. Our team brings deep, hands-on experience in telephone fundraising, combining practical expertise with technology built specifically for the sector. Our focus is on helping teams run campaigns that are effective, sustainable and appropriate for today’s fundraising environment.

Flexible support for every kind of telephone campaign

Just the tech

Use Hubbub’s telephone software as a stand-alone solution, giving your team everything they need to run confident, compliant calling in-house. Our software supports call management, booking, follow-up, payments and reporting - so you can focus on conversations, not logistics.

Tech and consultancy

Combine our telephone technology with expert consultancy to gain confidence in planning and delivery. We’ll support you with campaign design, segmentation, training and best practice - helping your telephone campaigns feel focused, realistic and well run.

Full Service

If time, resource or capacity are a challenge, our team can manage delivery for you. From campaign planning and caller training to supervision and reporting, we take care of the detail so your team can stay focused on donor relationships.