Frequently Asked Questions
Do you work on capital campaigns?
Yes, this is our specialty.
This includes supporting capital, capacity and comprehensive campaigns. The work can begin either in preparing the project and organisation for a major project, or once fundraising is ready to begin or already underway.
At the fundraising stage, a structured approach is applied to ensure the campaign is set up for success. This includes establishing the overall approach, preparing the materials required to support it, and building the internal capability needed to deliver it.
Support can extend across all aspects of the campaign, including project scoping, feasibility studies, gift tables, blueprints, case for support, donor prospecting, and guiding leadership and staff through the fundraising process.
For many organisations, this provides an end-to-end approach that ensures the campaign is aligned, achievable and able to be delivered.
Do you only work on strategy?
No.
The work often begins with strategy, but it does not stop there. It typically extends into readiness, funding, and supporting the work through to the point where it can be delivered.
The focus is on ensuring that the outcome is clearly defined, properly prepared, and able to be carried through, rather than producing strategy in isolation.
Do you work on philanthropy and major gifts fundraising?
Yes.
Philanthropy and major gifts fundraising are a core part of our work, whether as a standalone engagement or as part of a broader organisational initiative.
This may include philanthropy strategy, major gift program development, campaign planning, prospect identification, donor engagement strategies, cases for support, funding propositions, and building the systems and capability required to secure transformational gifts.
Our approach is grounded in the belief that successful fundraising begins long before an ask is made. Donors invest in compelling opportunities, credible organisations, and clear pathways to impact. As a result, fundraising strategy is often developed alongside organisational readiness, program development, and investment case design.
This creates a stronger foundation for fundraising and increases the likelihood of securing significant philanthropic investment.
Do you work with fundraising teams?
Yes.
Many organisations have fundraising ambitions that exceed the internal fundraising resources available to them. This is particularly common in Australia, where demand for experienced fundraisers often outpaces the systems available to train and develop them.
As a result, organisations are frequently required to build fundraising functions around less experienced staff, smaller teams, or leaders who have fundraising responsibilities alongside other roles.
We work alongside fundraising teams, executives and boards to provide additional strategic capacity, specialist expertise and practical support where it is needed most. This may include philanthropy strategy, campaign planning, major gift fundraising, prospect strategy, donor engagement, cases for support, coaching and mentoring.
The goal is not to replace internal fundraisers, but to strengthen and support them. For many organisations, this provides access to senior fundraising expertise without the cost of recruiting a large or highly experienced fundraising team.
What if we have a limited budget?
That is often the case.
Work can be shaped to reflect the budget available, focusing on what is most important to move the outcome forward. This may involve prioritising key pieces of work, delivering only what is required, or working alongside internal teams to build capability and reduce cost.
In some cases, strategy may involve identifying how funding can be secured early to support the required work, or structuring the work in stages so that it can progress as resources become available.
The focus is on ensuring that the work is realistic and achievable within the constraints of the organisation.
We know exactly what we need help with, can you just deliver that?
Yes, where it sits within our areas of expertise.
Where the scope is clearly defined, the engagement can focus on delivering that specific piece of work. This sits well within our experience across strategy, readiness and funding, including complex fundraising and business planning work.
In many cases, organisations come with a defined need, but benefit from our experience in shaping and strengthening that work to ensure it is aligned, fundable and able to be carried through.
The starting point is your requirement, supported by our experience in delivering this type of work.
Do we need to have everything figured out before we have a conversation?
No.
The starting point is simply a desired outcome. This might be building a new housing village for veterans, establishing a new location, or preparing for the expansion of services.
From there, we can work through what is required to achieve it, including how the work will be approached and funded.
There is no expectation to proceed beyond an initial conversation. In many cases, this helps organisations clarify their thinking and next steps, regardless of whether we work together.