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Fundraising function development for Search Newcastle
The challenge
Organisation: Search Newcastle
Sector: Older Person's Charity
Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne
I started working with Search Newcastle in 2018 to revitalise and professionalise its fundraising operation.
At the time, the charity faced several barriers to generating sustainable income and increasing visibility:
- No structured fundraising function in place
- Limited outreach into local businesses and donor networks
- No consistent or trained volunteer-fundraiser team
- Minimal digital tools for donor engagement or online giving
- No dedicated fundraising pages or microsite on the main website
- Low public awareness of fundraising opportunities and supporter involvement
The brief was clear: build a sustainable fundraising infrastructure, increase income, and raise the charity’s profile in Newcastle.
Building the fundraising function from scratch
How I helped Search
As Fundraising Manager, I led the end-to-end development of the fundraising function. This included:
- Designing and implementing outreach fundraising activity targeting local businesses and community supporters
- Recruiting, training and supporting a dedicated volunteer fundraising team
- Developing donor communications: sponsorship proposals, donor/sponsor letter templates, email campaigns and stewardship materials
- Launching large-scale public fundraising events including an 80s Night (as shown) in central Newcastle, a Tyne Bridge zip-wire challenge (that raised £10k), a Christmas fundraising drive, and the “Dare to Wear Yellow for Search” campaign
- Securing sponsorship and donations from local businesses to support campaigns and events
- Building digital fundraising infrastructure: online donation platforms and a microsite dedicated to fundraising (the organisation’s main website lacked the capability)
- Creating a fundraising resource pack for volunteers and fundraisers, containing guidance, tools and branded templates for long-term use
This event attended by over 150 people and raised over £1500 unrestricted income
The outcomes for Search
The improvements delivered substantial impact across income generation, community engagement and organisational visibility:
- Achieved an estimated 3:1 return on investment (ROI) from fundraising activities
- Built strong relationships with local businesses, supporters and donors, leading to sponsorship, in-kind support and ongoing community partnerships
- Significantly increased awareness of Search Newcastle’s brand, presence and mission in the local community
- Established a measurable, consistent fundraising stream, generating new income and diversifying funding sources
- Created and supported a trained volunteer fundraising team, equipped with a clear toolkit and branded templates for consistent, confident fundraising
- Delivered successful large-scale events, fundraiding challenges and campaigns, increasing supporter engagement and opening doors to further sponsorship and collaboration
- Developed a digital fundraising platform and dedicated microsite, making it easier for supporters to give, engage and stay connected
Find out how I can help you too!
If you’d like support to strengthen your charity’s fundraising communications, I offer flexible, bespoke services shaped around your needs, capacity and goals.
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