It’s no secret that small charities are the lifeblood of their communities, offering support, fun, and a lifeline where big organisations just don’t reach. But every year, it seems like the fundraising treadmill gets faster and the results get slimmer. What if the cycle could be broken, not with another plea, but with a story?

Here’s how three different grassroots causes found a smarter, more sustainable way forward, with Impact Books.

1. The Community Centre That Found Its Voice (and Its Crowd)

At St. Luke’s Community Centre, the calendar is packed: kids’ play schemes, bingo nights, ballroom dancing, fitness classes for all ages. But getting the word out was always a struggle, and funds were tight. Enter their Impact Book, a lively, photo-packed showcase of their story, their people, and all the laughter, learning, and belonging that happens under their roof.

The result?

Book royalties brought in steady, passive income.

The real surprise? More locals are attending events than ever. The book’s clever QR codes made it easy to book a fitness class, sign up for a playgroup, or grab tickets for the next dance, some even book the new BootCamp! People who never set foot in the centre before are now regulars.

What the Community Says

• “I’d never booked anything online before, but my grandson showed me how to scan the code in the book, and suddenly I was all signed up for pilates!” — Jean, age 71
  

• “The book’s brilliant! I loved reading Bob’s bingo story—he’s got top stubbing tips. I finally won a line last Thursday, and it’s all thanks to Bob’s advice!” — Margaret, bingo regular
  

• “I was coming for BootCamp, but after reading about the dance classes, I gave ballroom a go. Our instructor even made us do burpees between the waltz and the cha-cha. Never thought I’d laugh so much at a dance class!” — Ryan, fitness fan
  

• “The Impact Book made the centre feel like it belonged to all of us. I see my friends in the stories, and now I see them at events too.” — Amira, playgroup mum

St. Luke’s now has a new challenge: they need more chairs for bingo night, more space for the dance floor, and more biscuits for the tea trolley. A book that started as a fundraiser ended up revitalising the whole community, one story, one ticket, and one QR code at a time.

2. The Social Enterprise That Made Every Mile Count through Impact Books

Venture Out is a tiny social enterprise with a simple mission: to give isolated people the chance to see the world, one day trip at a time. They have a well-worn van, a wish for a bigger minibus, and a treasure trove of stories, clients reuniting with family, breathing sea air, or simply making new friends for the first time in years.

The owner wasn’t sure Impact Books would even consider them, after all, they aren’t a registered charity. But he chanced his arm, highlighting the community good they do. To his delight, Venture Out was accepted, and soon his regulars were queuing up to share their stories, and cheekily telling their friends to buy copies of the book “or else there’ll be no ice cream on the next trip!”

But the story didn’t end there.

Inspired by the enthusiasm, the owner launched a YouTube channel to capture their day trips: the laughter, the rain (so much rain), the games, and the sing-alongs on the drive to the next destination. The book’s QR codes link directly to the videos, so new people can “meet the gang” and see real-life adventures before they ever get on board.

The impact?

• Book royalties now cover the van’s fuel bill, one less thing to worry about.
  

• The YouTube channel is a hit. Views are up, people are sharing their favourite videos with friends and family, and with all those watch hours, the channel even got monetised. “That’s an extra bit of money to help with trip costs or the dream of that bigger minibus,” says the owner.
  

• Newcomers book their place through QR codes in the book, and everyone feels part of the group before their first outing.

What People Say

• “I booked my first trip by scanning the code in the book. I’d already watched the videos and felt like I knew everyone before I got there!” — Mary, first-time traveller
  

• “Seeing Terry on YouTube, dozing in his deckchair in the rain, legend! It felt like meeting a celebrity in real life.” — Derek, new member
  

• “The singalongs are hilarious. My granddaughter watched the videos and bought a book so she can come next time!” — Phil, regular
  

• “Every time someone shares a video or buys a book, it brings us closer to getting that new minibus. And we’re having a laugh while we do it.” — Owner, Venture Out

Sometimes, the journey really is about more than just the destination. Now, thanks to Impact Books and a little creative thinking, it’s about sharing the story and bringing new people along for the ride.

3. The Dog Rehoming Trust That Broke the Winter Cycle

Every winter, the appeals at Hopeful Tails Dog Trust grew more urgent and more exhausting. This year, they decided to try something radical: plan for impact, not just survival. With guidance from Mark at Impact Books, the Trust fully embraced the process, setting up a dedicated TikTok channel, a YouTube channel, and even a simple online shop.

TikTok took off, landing them on the Creator Program and bringing in a brand new income stream. Their YouTube channel is nearly ready for monetisation too. Mark suggested selling fleeces and t-shirts, now the shop’s a hit, offering everything from dog toys to humorous tees and, of course, treats for their four-legged graduates. Hundreds of purchases have been made straight from the book’s QR codes.

Shauna, once a volunteer, now spends her days making joyful dog walking videos, selling dog toys, and earning a proper wage.“Before, I just hoped to help a few dogs. Now, I get paid to do what I love, every order, every follow, every happy tail helps us keep going.” Inside the Book: Tips, Triumphs, and Tails of Hope

The Hopeful Tails Impact Book is more than just a fundraiser, it's a true companion for new and seasoned dog owners alike. Inside, readers find practical “Top Tips” on everything from dog training and socialisation to setting up the perfect home environment for a rescue dog. There are guides to navigating first vet visits, making the most of local dog grooming, and handling those tricky first weeks. Most importantly, the book is packed with heartfelt stories, moments of joy, setbacks, the occasional doggy disaster, and the daily triumphs and challenges of life at the Trust. For supporters and adopters, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at the ups and downs of rehoming, and for every reader, a reminder of the hope and happiness that come with giving a dog a second chance.

What Customers Are Saying

• “We adopted Max last month, and the book was a huge help. My kids scanned the code and ordered him treats and a ‘Fur-ever Friend’ t-shirt. We even bought a fleece for his walks!” — The Harris Family
  

• “I found the Hopeful Tails book in my vet’s waiting room, and it was so heartwarming I ordered a copy on the spot—just scanned the code with my phone. Now I’m a regular in their shop and a subscriber on TikTok!” — Alison, new supporter
  

• “Loved the rescue stories, but the dog training videos are hilarious—especially when the pups get the zoomies mid-lesson. I’ve shared the channel with all my friends.” — Gary, dog owner
  

• “We adopted Daisy, and after seeing her featured on a TikTok, she’s basically a celebrity at the dog park. We bought matching fleeces from the shop so everyone knows where she came from!” — Sam & Alex
  

• “The top tips in the book made settling our rescue dog so much easier. From house training to handling first vet visits, it felt like we had a friend guiding us. And the real-life stories gave us confidence, it’s honest about the tough days, but so full of hope.” — Martin, recent adopter
  

From Unknown to Unmissable

Once a little-known, volunteer-run trust, Hopeful Tails is now a thriving, trusted, and much-loved local cause. Social media buzz, a vibrant shop, happy customers, and real financial security have changed everything.

As Shauna says:

“We used to think the cycle couldn’t be broken. Now, we’re growing, planning, and sleeping at night. And every happy tail tells our story.”

Three Stories, One Message

These are illustrative examples, but they’re based on real needs, real ideas, and real results Impact Books is designed to deliver. If you receive an invite, take a moment before you reflexively say “not for us.”Or, if you know a cause that’s always fundraising but never getting ahead, pass this on.

Sometimes, a second look is all it takes to turn a plea for help into a platform for hope.

Want to see how Impact Books can help your charity or cause?

Visit Impact Books and learn more

Because fundraising shouldn’t just be another emergency, it should be a story that lasts.