Interim trust fundraising for capital and revenue costs. Results recorded in April 2024.
The brief
Edinburgh World City of Literature Trust, which works as Edinburgh UNESCO City of Literature Trust, was set up in 2004, when Edinburgh became the world's first UNESCO City of Literature.
It was moving to a new structure, bringing the Scottish Storytelling Centre and John Knox House together as a Literature House. The plan included significant capital works to the two connected buildings on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
The charity wanted to build trust and grant fundraising into its income, for both capital and revenue costs. Its small staff team and board did not have the capacity or the specialist expertise to do that alongside the charity's programme.
What we did
For two and a half years, our team worked closely with the charity's Director to find projects that suit trusts and foundations, prepare applications and secure grants.
We wrote cases for support for capital and revenue projects, and built a prospect pipeline and template proposals. We advised on governance and structure, so the charity would more easily meet the requirements trusts usually set. We also did significant preparation for a Stage 1 application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund, for the Literature House project of about £6 million.
Results
61 applications and proposals prepared, asking for £418,397 in total.
10 succeeded, worth £76,250: about one in six, in a particularly competitive period for funding.
The case for support informed the charity's new strategic business plan.
"Money Tree Fundraising brought energy, expertise and dedication at a time that was pivotal for our charity."
Edinburgh World City of Literature Trust
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