Fundraising consultant - high level engagement brief FINAL · fundraising experience. In the...

1

FundraisingConsultant–highlevelengagementbriefA. ABOUTUS

WeAreFamily(WAF)isanadoptionsupportcommunitywhichoperatesinandaroundLondon.WAF'sfocus is theparent, throughwhomwe seek to support adoptive families as awhole.WAFprovideanetworkofotheradopterstolinkupwithandactivesupportthroughregularmeetups,socialevents,information sharing, family activitiesand other initiatives. Rather than offering advice, we offercommunitybelievingthatthesupportwhichacommunitycanoffermaybefundamentaltothementalhealthandstabilityofanyfamily.

Originallyfoundedin2013byasmallgroupofadoptiveparentswhowishedtoprovidelocal,peer-to-peersupport,WAFhasgrownfromonetoelevengroupsinfouryears,supportingabout800families.WAFisnowaregisteredcharity.Alloureventsarerunbyvolunteeradopters.Ourmembershipisfree,registered,andsocially inclusive.Ourmembersmirror thedemographicpatternsof thepopulationatlarge,withgoodreachintominoritygroupssuchassingle,samesex,non-whiteanddisabledadopters.

Youcanreadmoreaboutusherehttps://wearefamilyadoption.org.uk/

B. AIM&PURPOSEOFENGAGINGAFUNDRAISINGCONSULTANT

WAFisentirelydependentondonationsandgrantsandwhilstthecharityhasbeenluckyduring2018inbeing awarded some substantial and game-changing grants, we do not have any regular sources offundingtorelyonnordowehaveafullpipelineoffundingproviderstoapproach.Withoutreasonablyreliable regular funding it will be hard to develop WAF in a way which involves ongoing regularexpenditure,suchasstaffcosts,moreandbettertraining,supporttogroupfacilitators,reimbursementofchildcarecostsetc.Examplesofsuchregularfundingmightbecommittedindividualgiving(individualsupportersdonatinga regularamounteachmonthbydirectdebitorstandingorder;oracalendarofregularfundraisingevents.)In termsof fundraisingexperience, there isagap inknowledgeandexperiencewithinWAFatboardlevelandamongstWAFvolunteersgenerallywhichwebelieveweshouldfillasearlyaspossibleinordertoenableWAFtogenerateregularlongtermfundingoptionsandthereforetocontinuetooperateandgrowasperWAF’smissionand charitableobjects. Wewould like to findoneormore trusteeswithfundraising experience. In the short-term, however, we have recognised the need to obtain suchexpertiseviaafundraisingconsultant.Theaimofengagingprofessional,experiencedconsultancysupportinfundraisingwouldbeto:-

i. EstablishclearoptionsfordevelopingsourcesofregularandreliableincomewhichwouldhelpprovidesomecertaintyincoveringWAF’scorecostsyearonyear.WAFhasrelativelylowcorecostsnow(c£8-10kperannum)butinthefuturewewouldliketobeabletofundatleastonepermanentstaffpostatmanagerleveltogetherwithadministrativesupport.

ii. Insofarassuchcorecostsmightbecoveredbygrantsfromfoundationsandtrusts,weneedtoestablish a pipeline of appropriate grant making bodies to whomwemay wish to apply forfuturegrants.

2

iii. Toproposeanefficientmethodand/orplatformformanagingandmaintaining individualandinstitutionaldonorrelationships

iv. If time and cost allow, to help WAF set up a platform for capturing and retaining Gift Aiddeclarations from individual donors as well as proposing and implementing a system formanagingdirectdebitsand/orstandingordermandatesifrequired.

C. KEYSKILLSANDEXPERIENCE

Ideal! FundraisingexperienceataseniorlevelandforasmallcharitysuchasWAF! Experienceinrelationtobothgrant-makingfoundationsandindividualgiving! Knowledgeoffundraisingrelatedsystemsandsoftwarepackages(donormanagement)

Other

! KnowledgeoftheadoptionsectorandabilitytodemonstrateacommitmenttothevaluesandmissionofWAF

D. PROCESS

TheWAFtrusteesinitiallyplantousetheircurrentnetworktofindtherightindividualtosuitourneeds.Applicantswillbeshortlistedandinitialscreeningcallswilltakeplace(ZoomorSkype)tonarrowdownpotential candidates to a short list of up to 3. These short listed individuals will then be asked toprepareabrief1or2pageproposal (including indicativecosts) layingouthowtheyplantoapproachthework,thetimelinestheywouldenvisageandthefinaldeliverablestoWAF.ItisanticipatedthataconsultantwillbeformallyengagedbyearlyMarch2019andthatsubstantiallyallof theworkwillbecompletedby lateApril2019 (earlier ifpossible).Weexpect that theworkwouldinvolve a review of existing documentation, discussions with key stakeholders, desk-based research,developmentofoptionsandpreparationofawrittenreportandwilltakesomewhereintheregionof5-10daysintotal.Applications should be sent to the following email address:samfletcher@wearefamilyadoption.org.uk