Interim trust fundraising and mentoring over two contracts in 2022. Results recorded in June 2023.
The brief
When Together for Short Lives' Head of Trusts moved overseas after six years, recruiting a replacement took much longer than expected, and the charity was left with a vacancy in one of its core income areas.
Later, a long-standing trust fundraising officer resigned, just as the charity needed urgent support for an emergency cost-of-living appeal. The rest of the team was at capacity, and the post would not be filled until the new year.
What we did
We provided an interim trust fundraiser for one day a week, working alongside the existing Trust Officer. She shared the workload, and acted as a trusted source of knowledge and guidance at a time when the charity had lost that role. The flexibility let her fit around deadlines, whether researching prospects, shaping a case for support or preparing applications.
In the second contract she learned the organisation quickly and stepped straight into applications for the emergency appeal. Part way through she switched to a new project focus, and the contract was extended to cover the gap until the new postholder started.
Results
Four grants from the applications prepared: £1,000 from the Lord Barnby Foundation, £400 from the Anthony and Deidre Montagu Charitable Trust, £500 from the Squire Patton Boggs Charitable Trust and £1,000 from the Hadrian Trust.
Alternative cases for support, and a bid and case for support for a new area of work in education.
Reports completed, and pressure taken off the Head of Trusts and Foundations so she could progress strategic work.
"She's taken the pressure off quite considerably and it's been fantastic to know there's someone so capable there to help."
Together for Short Lives