The Canberra Hospital Foundation sought Global Philanthropic’s expertise in research and fundraising strategy to inform the case for moving to an independent entity. The Foundation needed evidence that the move would be viable and, if it was, how it could be implemented for the best efficiency and effectiveness.

I was previously the director of a rapidly growing fundraising department in a major university, and before that the executive director of a non-profit organisation. Now that I’ve just completed my second year as a consultant, I’ve learnt one or two things along the way I wish I’d known back then. And I’m happy to share!

When you and your organisation are setting goals for your new fundraising endeavours—be it for your start-up fundraising operation, your augmented major or principal giving programme, or launching in a new country or region—you will have many questions, one of which will be, ‘What are our peers doing?’ 

Understanding and articulating your Case for Support to donors can be challenging—we can suffer the curse of too much knowledge or, alternatively, be too close to the coal to see the broader scope of our vision. Yet getting this step right is not only critical to our fundraising success but can make our role as fundraisers so much easier.