Go Out There.
Make It Count.

Even just a couple of hours can help us. This guide turns you into an effective outreach engine for Collective Aid — whatever your experience level.

Your job is simple: find people who care, make contact, and get them to do something. That "something" is a conversion — a donation, a meeting, a partnership, or a qualified lead.

You don't need charisma, connections, or a sales background. You need this guide, a device with internet access, and the willingness to send the first message.

Read the guide once. Then start. You'll learn more by doing than by re-reading.

Here's the simple question at the heart of all outreach: which groups of people — in the private sector, in public life, in communities — are most likely to care about what Collective Aid does?

Think in groups, not individuals. Find a group that fits, then find the right people inside it. Below are the categories that work best for us, with real examples drawn from our own prospect list.

The Prospect Groups

1. Businesses with a social conscience

Some companies have built their entire brand on values. They donate, they partner, they promote. They're also looking for causes that reinforce their identity. Think: Ben & Jerry's, LUSH, Patagonia, Innocent Drinks, Tony's Chocolonely, Who Gives A Crap, Monzo, Oatly, Allbirds, Veja. But don't stop at the famous names — local cafes, boutique shops, independent restaurants often have owners who care deeply and act fast.

• Look for their CSR page or sustainability commitments on their website
• Find the brand partnerships or community manager on LinkedIn
• Search Instagram for local businesses using hashtags like #socialenterprise or #ethicalbusiness

2. Law firms and the legal community

Progressive law firms do pro bono work. They care about human rights, refugee law, and justice. They also have money, networks, and influence. Large commercial firms (Clifford Chance, Freshfields, Linklaters, Allen & Overy) have formal CSR and pro bono programmes. Smaller specialist firms (Leigh Day, Bindmans, Garden Court Chambers, Deighton Pierce Glynn) often have deep personal commitment. Both are worth approaching — for different reasons.

• Look for the firm's pro bono coordinator or CSR lead on their website
• Check if they have a "community" or "impact" section
• Chambers and barristers' sets often have individual members who self-organise — worth finding them directly

3. Arts, culture, and film

Cinemas, galleries, theatres, and documentary festivals have politically engaged audiences and often activist-minded staff. Many are actively looking for causes to spotlight. Think: Curzon Cinemas, Picturehouse, BFI, Barbican, Tate, Southbank Centre, Sheffield DocFest, Doc Society, Young Vic, Battersea Arts Centre, Arcola Theatre. Film festivals with a human rights or documentary focus are especially warm territory.

• Look for their "partners", "community", or "education" teams
• Pitch a screening, panel, or co-branded event — not just a donation ask
• Approach programmers and curators, not just marketing teams

4. Private members' clubs and professional networks

These are rooms full of influential, connected, often socially liberal people — and they're looking for causes that give them identity and meaning. The Conduit is explicitly built around social impact. Soho House has a culture of creative activism. The RSA and Royal Geographical Society have networks of professionals who are predisposed to engage. Don't overlook Glasgow, Edinburgh, Manchester, Bristol — there are equivalents everywhere.

• Find the events or community manager at the club
• Pitch an event, a talk, or a charity partnership — not a cold ask
• Use any personal connections you have. Members introducing us is 10x more powerful than cold outreach.

5. Trade unions and professional associations

Unions have members, budgets, and a political culture that is often very aligned with our work. UNISON, UNITE, firefighters, teachers — and crucially, retired professionals' associations, who often have time, experience, and genuine desire to contribute. Approach their community and campaigns teams.

6. Special interest groups and community organisations

Think beyond the obvious. Sailing and maritime clubs have a poignant connection to the sea crossings refugees make. Military veterans' associations — many vets are disillusioned and actively seek causes that reflect their values. Book clubs, literary festivals, philosophy and ethics groups attract thoughtful, engaged people. Rotary clubs have a long tradition of community giving. Religious congregations — particularly progressive and interfaith councils — are often quietly significant donors and volunteers.

7. Universities, students, and academics

Universities of Sanctuary programmes, refugee-focused student groups, MBA social enterprise programmes, and law clinics are all warm ground. Philosophy, ethics, politics, and international relations departments often have faculty who want to connect their work to real-world action. Arabic language and Middle Eastern studies students can be powerful advocates and sometimes volunteers.

8. Sustainable fashion brands

This is a sector that has made ethics core to its identity. Brands like Pangaia, Lucy & Yak, Nudie Jeans, Armedangels, Kotn, MUD Jeans, Girlfriend Collective, Story mfg., Ganni are actively looking for causes that match their values. Their customers are engaged and loyal. Approach their brand or community partnerships teams.

9. Tech, gaming, and digital communities

Tech-for-good hubs, social enterprise accelerators, and corporate ERGs (Employee Resource Groups) are increasingly active in humanitarian causes. Gaming communities and streaming platforms run charity fundraisers at scale. Don't overlook this space — it is genuinely growing fast.

10. Media, influencers, and podcasters

Journalists covering migration, humanitarian issues, or social justice. Podcasters with engaged audiences around ethics, politics, or activism. Instagram and TikTok accounts focused on social causes. These are people who can amplify us to thousands — sometimes for free. A single post from the right person is worth dozens of cold emails.

How to Research Any Group

1. Google the group + "community" or "charity" or "partnerships" — see how they engage with causes already
2. Find their website — look for a CSR page, a "values" page, a blog, or a "community" section
3. LinkedIn — find the person who manages partnerships, community, or social impact
4. Instagram / X — see how they talk about the world. What causes do they tag? What language do they use?
5. Check if they've supported similar causes before — if they have, you're not pitching blind

3 Concrete Examples

A contact list is your most valuable asset. Build it like you mean it. Disorganised lists waste everyone's time — including yours.

Step-by-Step

1. Open a Google Sheet (or ask your coordinator for the shared team sheet).
2. Create the column headers below — exactly as listed.
3. Every time you find a prospect, add them immediately. Don't save it "for later." Later never comes.
4. Fill in every field you can. Leave unknown fields blank — but never skip Name, Org, or Email.
5. Update the Status column every time you take an action.
6. Review your list at the start and end of every session.

Required Fields

Aim for quality, not quantity

20 targeted contacts you know something about will outperform 200 cold strangers every time. Understand who you're contacting before you contact them.