Association of Fundraising Consultants

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Message from Peter Maple, Chair - Consultants SIG

Fundraising consultants were treated to a very varied range of presentations at their last meeting on May 26th. After our sponsors, Blackbaud presented some very interesting early benchmarking data, Richard Gutch, project manager of the latest NCVO venture (and now Sir Stuart!) The Funding Commission, raised some very interesting questions and posed a challenge to respond with creative ideas for the commission to consider.

C Tom Davis of Action for Children gave a very cogent presentation on what larger clients look for in a consultant and provided some useful ideas and suggestions. David Marfleet of Giving the Best presented a very person view about gaining and retaining the clients that you want! The panel considered a range of questions and ideas but you had to be there to appreciate them. Similarly for the wine and networking reception that followed. Copies of presentations (where provided) will be available on the Institute site as soon as we can beat the technology.

In the intervening period we have had a very enjoyable joint session with the Association of Fundraising Consultants where we debated the issue of paying fundraisers by commission. Go to Blog Spot for further information and to comment.

The next SIG meeting will be on the Impact of Digital Marketing for Consultants on 24th November with a slightly different format and probably at a different location very close to Waterloo, so put it in your diary now. In the meantime, let us know other topics and issues you'd like aired at future meetings.

Best wishes for the summer!