By Elizabeth Harvey "Bread and butter'' charities say they are being left out in the cold as large, professionally orchestrated appeals take the limelight.

Small charities like the Bermuda Society for the Blind and the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association claim they could live for a year off fees paid to professional fund raisers employed to organise big appeals.

"It is not a new theme, but I feel quite strongly about it,'' said Chairman of the Bermuda Society for the Blind, Sir David Tibbits.

"When a popular charity starts up, everybody gets excited about it. They hire firms from the States and raise a lot of money.'' Sir David said smaller charities, like the blind, suffer as a result.

"The cost of a big appeal is almost as much as smaller charities need for a year,'' he said.

"There are so many "glamour'' causes now,'' he added, referring to appeals in recent years by the Anglican Cathedral, the National Trust, the new Underwater Development at the Foot of the Lane and the Aquarium among others.

"We just ask people to remember the smaller charities.'' But Sir David admitted that because people are sympathetic to his cause, the charity has managed to hold its own in recent years.

Other small charities, he feared, were finding it harder to keep their heads above water.

Spokesman for the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association, Mr. Willard Fox admitted the charity was getting an ever smaller piece of the pie in terms of public donations.

"We are finding it hard to compete,'' he said. "Corporations decide a year in advance which causes they will give funds to. They go to the more visible causes.'' So far, private donations and money pledged from the End-to-End walk in April have kept the charity going.

But Mr. Fox said major projects such as renovations and paint jobs are often left unfinished due to lack of funds.

"We feel we are getting neglected,'' he admitted. "Some of these guys have professional fund raisers. They're the ones who are cutting our throats.

"Small charities don't have enough money to hire a book keeper, let alone a fund raiser.'' But Executive director of the Centre on Philanthropy, a body which offers free advice on fund raising strategies and fund management, said charities should stop pointing the finger at competition.

Instead they should take a more proactive approach to fund raising.

Ms Nancy Smythe said smaller charities often have an advantage because they are less hampered by paperwork and board meetings, she said.

"I suspect there are a few that are sitting on the way things have been done in the past. They have to be always on the threshold,'' she said.

"The donor is king. You have to convince him your need is more important.

Charities still have to show what their message is because donors are questioning more where their dollars are best put to use.'' Professional fundraisers, she said, are not fly-by-night organisations or con men.

Paid on an hourly or cost per project basis -- not on a percentage basis a good fundraiser helps build a foundation which continues to raise money over many years, Ms Smythe said.

"Deciding whether to hire a professional fundraiser can be a tough decision for board members,'' she added.

At present there are 220 registered charities and 550 non-profit organisations on the Island.

"Yes, the numbers are on the increase because people recognise that Government shouldn't have as much control and that private not-for-profit institutions help build the community,'' Ms Smythe said.

Bermudian professional fundraiser Mrs. Christina Wineinger agreed that today's competition for the donated dollar is fierce.

Good organisation, strict budgeting and defining long term fund raising strategies were the key to to the rise or fall of a charity, she said.

"If the charity has a solid, well-thought out game plan, they'll find the support is out there.

"Charities really need to look ahead. But they can't expect donors to cover their operating costs. The donor wants to know where his money is going.'' Instead, Mrs. Wineinger suggested they build up a core of support from people who are committed to the cause and give regularly.

Membership was one way of ensuring a regular income to cover day-to-day expenses, she added.

And she cited Meals on Wheels, an organisation which delivers meals and provides services for the house-bound, as an example of a well-managed charity.

"It is a wonderful example of how a charity that started out very small grew into a very strong charity with a lot of community support,'' she said.

Committee of 25 for Handicapped Children board member Mrs. Bee Stott said the charity, established in 1952, has never had a problem attracting donations.

She attributed this to the charity's good cause, committed volunteers and a good board.