Schools and education fundraising

Because we have been around since schools and other educational establishments started to take fundraising seriously in the 1960s we have seen it all – literally. We know what works and what doesn’t. We know which perpetuated myths are nonsensical. And we know how schools can structure and manage their fundraising to best effect, whilst complying with increasingly stringent regulation.

“Mark Jefferies of Craigmyle has worked with us for more than three years on the feasibility assessment, planning and implementation of our capital campaign. Throughout what has been a thoroughly enjoyable and productive partnership his advice and support, drawn from his long experience of fundraising, has proved invaluable and has often guided our direction away from the numerous obstacles that any major fundraising campaign will inevitably encounter. As importantly, he has been highly sensitive to, and respectful of, the very particular ethos and characteristics of Marymount. He has taken great care to ensure that both the strategic direction and operational implementation of the campaign is an appropriate ‘fit’ with the School’s values and ways of doing things. As a school with very little prior fundraising history, we are particularly pleased that the campaign has brought results beyond our original expectations.”

Karin Purcell
Director of Development and Communications
Marymount International School , London

Current and recent clients include:

Pocklington School - recent

The Pocklington Campaign for an Art and Design Centre is an excellent example of how a relatively small independent school, strongly rooted in its local community, can raise a substantial capital sum to enable a major development which otherwise could not have happened, whilst also celebrating a major anniversary (its Quincentenary) through which it was able substantially to strengthen school and relationships. As planned, the campaign was effectively put on hold during the celebratory year, 2014, in order not to detract from the celebrations and recommenced in 2015, with the public phase of the campaign launching in April. At the time of writing it has now raised £1.8 million.

Francis Holland School, Sloane Square - recent

Craigmyle Consultants assisted Francis Holland School, Sloane Square with the planning of their ‘Old School House’ £700,000 capital campaign with the purpose of converting a recently purchased building into the school’s new state-of-the-art Sixth Form. Craigmyle assisted the newly appointed Development team to research the potential prospect pool and develop the Case for Support, involving the senior management in the prospect cultivation. As a result of a well-executed planning phase and talented Development staff, the campaign was fully funded in the quiet phase from only 20 prospects, half of which were new donors to the School, including three gifts of £100,000+.

Elizabeth College Guernsey - recent

Craigmyle Consultants first worked with Elizabeth College in 2006-7 advising on the creation of their Foundation assisting with the first development appeal which yielded £1.52m. We then assisted with the inauguration of a legacy programme within the creation of The Dead Donkey Legacy Club, which so far has yielded just over £1million worth of legacies actually received and promises of much more to come over future years. In 2011-12 we assisted with the 450^th Anniversary Appeal which yielded a further £1.68m. At the start of 2018 we began advising on preparations for the next capital fundraising appeal. The College’s policy of periodic fundraising initiatives separated by quiet periods of cultivating goodwill has produced a satisfactory return on expenditure and contentment within Elizabethans, past and present, with the Foundation’s activities.

The King’s School Chester - recent

Craigmyle Consultants have worked with King’s Chester in the past in 1977,1986 and 1998. We are therefore delighted to be working with King’s again since the start of 2018. The School has ambitious plans to meaningfully increase endowment funds to support expanded bursary provision. Our principal focus is supporting the major gift activity crucial to all fundraising and essential to the achievement of substantial targets. We are also advising on further legacy programme development.

University of Greenwich - current client

Craigmyle partnered with Greenwich University to review and enhance their fundraising strategy, including assessing the feasibility of a multichannel fundraising model. Working closely with the fundraising team, Craigmyle conducted a comprehensive benchmarking exercise and market evaluation; assessed leadership readiness and conducted strategic analyses. The outcome was a detailed plan with clear, achievable objectives and an operational roadmap for success. Craigmyle played a vital role in refining internal communications and presentations to the university’s leadership to gain organisational buy-in. Craigmyle is now providing support during the implementation phase.