Case Studies
Cardinal Hume Centre
For more than 35 years, the Cardinal Hume Centre has helped people facing poverty and the threat of homelessness in Westminster, enabling children and young people to turn their lives around.
George O’Neill the CEO got in touch after a personal recommendation. With an exciting new vision, George was keen to “get under the skin” of fundraising. Where should the Board be focusing investment? How much potential was there to grow? Were all the income streams performing as well as they could be? This called for a fundraising stocktake.
The initial analysis helped clarify the priority attributes that would be needed by a new Fundraising Director. I worked with the CEO to develop the right Candidate Pack which produced an excellent stream of applicants.
The stocktake proved extremely valuable to the incoming Fundraising Director, Rachel Case, helping her to hit the ground running rather than having to do lots of analysis herself. Discussion of the report was an extremely useful part of her induction process.
Commenting on the project, George O’Neill said:
“Andrew played a critical role helping the Centre determine its fundraising priorities. The work was essential to our successful recruitment of a new Fundraising Director. Andrew understood the Centre’s ethos, and promptly got to the heart of things. I was enormously grateful for his help”
Rachel Case added:
“I was able to pick up Andrew’s fundraising stocktake and support the team in implementing some important immediate recommendations. The report was a useful reference as I got to know the team and helped me build my thinking. Andrew was a pleasure to work with and the team really benefited from his insights.”
CPAS
Founded in 1836, CPAS works with leaders (ordained and lay, men and women) of all ages to fire up the local church to offer the gospel afresh in our time.
John Dunnett, the General Director got in touch based on a referral. He wanted an independent perspective on the fundraising potential of the organisation and an assessment of fundraising activity.
The work started with a fundraising audit.
The audit work showed the lack of a “silver thread” in the CPAS story. Developing a case for support was the next logical step.
The audit work unearthed some opportunities to sharpen communications. I ran an Inspiring Fundraising Communications seminar for the team and helped write the Christmas Big Give Appeal when there was a gap in team capacity.
The audit work set out priorities for investment. Following Board discussion, new positions were recruited. I advised on job descriptions and assisted with the recruitment process, all very challenging during national lockdowns. With a new team in place, I provided a sounding board for the incoming Head of Fundraising and Communications.
Commenting on aspects of the project, John Dunnett said:
“Andrew has been helping the trustees and senior staff of CPAS to clarify our case for support and the theory of change that sits beneath it. He has brought to the table enormous experience of the fundraising and communications field, incisive questions, and the ability to understand and get beneath the surface of our organisation. He has repeatedly offered creative and forward-looking suggestions. His professional approach and leadership have galvanised our work in these significant areas and brought energy to the project, clarity of focus in moments of confusion and continual delivery on time. His incisive understanding in the field of Fundraising and Comms is second to none”.
A Rocha International
A Rocha is a global family of Christian organizations engaged in scientific research, environmental education and community-based conservation projects in over twenty countries and across six continents.
I ran webinars for the fundraisers and communicators and provided sounding board advice to Jo Swinney, Director of Communications.
Commenting on Andrew’s support, Jo said:
“Andrew's wisdom, experience and understanding of the relational dynamic between fundraiser and donor must be unparalleled. On the basis of Andrew's advice, we have transformed our supporter journey, simplifying and refocussing our asks, highlighting stories of impact and placing donors at the heart of the narrative where they belong.
He also helped us see the value of a regular giving programme. With his support, we are in the process of changing our entire approach to individual fundraising. We have particularly appreciated the way Andrew moves from high level strategic priorities to achievable processes and actions. We have already come to see how theory translates into real-world implications: a closer and more mutually satisfying relationship between A Rocha International and our growing number of regular donors”.