Before you embark on any fundraising, it can be a good idea to reconfirm what your vision is and how you aim to achieve it. I offer bespoke strategy workshops to help define: what your key lines of operation are to ensure success; timelines for delivery; and to identify any risks. I take time to understand your context and needs, and offer practical advice around governance, culture change, and a review of your business and financial plans. Having undertaken major donor fundraising in several charities, and worked with high profile Appeal Boards, I can also provide advice about how to engage and enthuse high profile volunteers.

I work with boards, senior management teams and volunteer leaders to plan clear fundraising strategies for revenue or capital fundraising which are tailored to your needs. I will work with your team to develop a clear and costed action plan for implementation based on an audit of your current funding streams and potential returns of moving into new areas of fundraising. I can develop a fundraising case for support (a blueprint for your teams to use when engaging donors), review your fundraising materials, help to shape multi-channel fundraising communications, and advise on stakeholder engagement.

If you are thinking about a new project, a feasibility study is a good place to start. This involves thoroughly researching and listing all potential funding sources, matched to your particular status (whether you are a registered charity, CIC, social enterprise or community group). A comprehensive network mapping exercise amongst your trustees, known donors, and supporter base will further extend your prospect lists. This exercise can also include testing your case for support (usually through 1:1 interviews) to gauge how it resonates with your supporters and whether your project/campaign is ready to launch.

I have 30 years experience in bid writing for trusts and foundations as both a fundraising consultant and senior Director on staff. From complex bids to the smaller family foundations, relationships are key in this competitive sector, alongside presenting the information in a clear and concise way. Perhaps most important of all is the reporting and stewarding of these donors to ensure they stay with you with multi-year grants. I can provide guidance for the application process and reporting, as well as recommendations for recognition and stewardship.

For National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England or National Lottery Community Fund grants, I offer advice surgeries to help you work through a new or major project. I will be happy to read about your project and answer specific questions about the funding route you are thinking of, or what the best course of action might be to achieve your ambitions. From this point on, I can support 1:1 with preparation of the bids and supporting materials required. I’ll put everything you need into a clear proposal to help guide you through the process.

As an independent fundraising consultant, I can provide interim support at a senior level to embed new ways of working, supplement the existing team in busy periods, or to fill a gapped post. Interim support can be a way to establish a new area of work before you commit to resources. Interim work can be discussed either on a retainer basis or project by project to augment the skill sets within your current teams. I can advise on developing new team structures and support in the recruitment of new staff. I provide mentorship to ensure long term success for your fundraising.