The Client

Based in the historic city of Truro, the Royal Cornwall Museum is the UK’s leading museum for – and only charity dedicated to – Cornish life and culture. Like many arts and cultural organisations, the Royal Cornwall Museum has struggled with the impact of government funding cuts, austerity and, most recently, loss of visitor income as a result of the pandemic.

 

Why us?

With no in-house fundraiser, the charity’s newly appointed CEO was looking for an experienced freelancer or fundraiser to help develop a fundraising strategy, recruit and train a part-time fundraiser, and help develop key income streams such as individual giving, trusts and grants and legacies.

After interviewing several candidates, the CEO selected Fundraising Consultants Ltd because they needed a ‘strong pair of hands’ and a wide range of fundraising experience to help them set up an effective fundraising programme and recruit a local fundraiser for its implementation.

 

What difference did we make?

The work started in August 2020 with a two-day onsite visit. Since then our support has spanned a range of fundraising disciplines, including:

  • Fundraising audit – reviewing the charity’s fundraising performance and potential
  • Fundraising strategy – working with the team to develop a strategy
  • Case for support – developing an overarching fundraising case for support
  • Website and social media – changes to the website, donation pages, fundraising messaging work and social media
  • Legacy fundraising– creating materials and developing a legacy fundraising programme
  • Recruitment and training: recruiting and and training a Truro-based, part-time fundraiser, who we will continue to support and work with over the next year
  • Coaching: Sarah worked with the CEO to help train, equip and support him to develop his fundraising skills

 

“We started working with Sarah in 2020 to get her help to develop a focused fundraising strategy for the organisation. Through clear communication, insight, experience and a strong dose of reality, we now have a robust fundraising plan in place. The support has been excellent and we look forward to continuing to work with Sarah over the coming year as she supports and guides our new fundraiser to implement these plans.”
– Jonathan Morton, CEO, Royal Cornwall Museum.