Interim trust fundraising and a prospect review while the hospice recruited. Completed in June 2023.
The brief
Hospice in the Weald was reviewing its trust fundraising and needed extra capacity while it recruited a new team member.
It asked first for a review of its trust prospect list, which held 700 entries. Once that was done, it asked for an action plan for the most promising prospects, with a template appeal letter and a template report.
What we did
We assessed every prospect on the list for its fit with the hospice's work, its likely gift size, and any existing or recent connection, and updated the contact details and notes. About 400 had closed or were no longer eligible, so they were removed or archived. New, well-matched trusts were added.
For around 300 of the most relevant prospects, we set out the next step: a report or stewardship, an immediate application, or a larger and more strategic approach. We then started that work, with template appeal letters, a template report and a 12-month work plan to hand over.
Results
A refreshed prospect list, with about 400 ineligible funders removed and new, relevant trusts added.
55 applications prepared for the team to submit, for core and core service costs.
Overdue stewardship reports drafted for recent and live donors.
A separate prospect list and appeal template for a new children's service.
A 12-month trust work plan, with priority prospects for larger applications, ready for the new trusts fundraiser.
"Using a consultant to fill a gap while recruiting has been really valuable and means our new trusts fundraiser will be able to hit the ground running with a researched prospect list and appeals ready to go."
Hospice in the Weald