Deborah Sobel
Helping you Achieve your Fundraising Ambitions
I support charities and schools to build lasting donor relationships, tell their stories in ways that supporters understand, and grow their income
What Clients Say About Me
She quickly gained an understanding of what we’re about, our tone of voice, and how we like to communicate. She has a clear and direct approach and is an excellent communicator, and just gets the job done.
Lucy Jackson
Spread a Smile
Deborah delivered excellence in every element of her work. Our organisation ended the year with a surplus for the first time in years and Deborah’s input was instrumental.
Dolyanna Mordochai
Resources for Autism
The success of the Barn Chapel Appeal has been amazing, and we are so grateful to you for your guidance and expertise in helping us to achieve the target.
Father Kevin Smith
The Anglican Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham
Her linguistic skills, experience and expertise were just what we we were looking for to help us to beautifully articulate our mission and vision.
Thank you!
Michelle Barnett, MBE
GIFT
How I can help you
Listening. Reflecting. Moving you forwards.
As an experienced fundraiser, I understand that for many charities, budgets are stretched, and spending more money on non-frontline services seems counter-intuitive.
My mission is to maximise your revenue; charities find that buying my services and time covers itself in raised income many times over. The value that I can bring to your organisation is a great investment in your future.
Past clients have told me they value my skills in
these areas:
· I can zoom in to understand the detail, and zoom out to see your larger strategy, strengths and challenges
· I listen, ask just the right questions, and reflect back with empathy and sensitivity
· I care about making a difference
· I do more than just ‘talk the talk’: I raise money
· I can see ways to make your charity more efficient in its fundraising and key relationships, and help you to enable them
· I’m strategic in my thinking process, and have great attention to detail
My
experience
covers:
· Strategy
· Communications – Case for Support, grant applications, donor communications and
campaign copy
· Major donors – prospecting through to stewardship
· Trusts and Foundations
· Boards and senior relationships
· Capital campaigns
· Legacies
· Events
The five key ways in which I can help you achieve your fundraising goals are detailed below:
Fundraising Check-up
Over the course of one day, I will meet with your CEO, Director of Development or main fundraiser, the Chair of the Board, a major donor, and key internal stakeholders. I will ask considered questions, and build my understanding of your fundraising systems and relationships. I will reflect on our conversations, review your key fundraising materials and accounts, and write a detailed report, noting your current strengths and what I would do to enhance your work.
Time: 2 days
Establishing your Fundraising Office
Some charities and schools want to build their fundraising from scratch or nearabout. I will set up a fundraising function for you, put in place the systems and resources you’ll need, write funding applications and then help you to source a brilliant in-house person.
Time: 2 days for 6 months
Core Copy, Grant-Writing and Comms
I will work with you to hone your written collateral and write powerful, compelling materials. I can write your:
Case for Support, to connect with your donors and prospects, with language and data that are compelling and persuasive
Grant applications and evaluation reports for trusts and foundations
Donor communications, such as Annual Reports, newsletters and updates
Appeal and Campaign brochures, such as for capital campaigns and Gifts in Wills
Branding and marketing copy, such as your mission statement and vision
Time: 1-3 days per week
Interim Fundraising Director
I will run your fundraising office, if you are between fundraising directors, have been unable to recruit, or are looking for a short-term solution. I will manage your team, review your ways of working, and keep relationships and applications going
Time: 3-4 days per week
Mentoring your Fundraising Director or CEO
Supporting and maximising your fundraising efforts, I will meet you for:
Regular confidential conversations to help you reach your full potential
Trouble-shooting immediate challenges and working through longer-term objectives
In-depth, focused training to help you build your career and manage relationships with your Board/Governing Body and senior colleagues, and to grow your fundraising skill-set, such as in how to make the ask
Time: 0.5 days per week every 2 weeks for 6 months
Working Together
Every client, every project, every challenge is unique.
If you are interested in working together, I’ll meet with you for a one-hour consultation, either in person or online, and then get back to you with a proposal for how we can work together.
You may need support or involvement in related areas, such as marketing or charity law: I can introduce you to trusted associates and contacts, who can work alongside me to help you to achieve your goals.
