Reflections from a client: working with a consultant to obtain Lottery funding
For Day 5 of #CraigmyleNLHFweek we share a client’s experience of getting consultant help to secure NLHF funding. Craigmyle Fundraising Consultants have been working with Holy Trinity Hastings church since 2022, to develop and secure funding for a £4.5M ‘Heritage@HTH project.
The project aims to restore the Grade II* Listed church building, including restoration of treasures in the church that are of national and international heritage significance. These plans will lead to the building being removed from Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register, allow more flexible use and implement energy efficiency/sustainability measures. It also aims to create a new curated Heritage Experience for Hastings which will include young carers activities, a community project to research the historical parish magazines, and developing multi-media interpretation content with students at the local Further Education College.
We were able to secure seed-funding from the local Heritage Action Zone funding body, which allowed us to help HTH Church develop a project that is more ambitious than anything they have ever done before.
In December 2023, HTH Church received initial support from the NLHF to fully develop their plans to apply for a full National Lottery grant at a later date, and Craigmyle will continue be an integral part of this next important phase of the project.
Simon Larkin, the Church Leader said:
“When [Craigmyle] arrived it felt manageable for the first time – both the possibility of funding, and also how we would be able to incorporate heritage activities into our mission. We are so grateful – for the vision and energy and detail you have brought.”
To gain a NLHF client perspective, we talked to Jerry Hocking, who heads up the heritage project at HTH Church. Reflecting on their experiences, Jerry had a number of observations about the process of getting consultant help to secure NLHF funding. Here are the top 5:
- Commiting to a major NLHF application, with professional support
About two years ago, the Diocesan Advisor helped develop options for the church which is in a very poor state of repair. The dominant question was whether to go for a major NLHF application. As there was no prior fundraising or lottery funding experience, it was agreed that a major NLHF application, with all that entails, would be the only way to secure the church’s future. It was also agreed that significant professional support would be needed to approach this. This was a crucial decision.
- Fundraising expertise
Web research came up with a handful of consultancies to be approached of which Craigmyle was one. Of the bids received, Craigmyle’s stood out for knowledge and track record. The church looked for a consultant with knowledge of NLHF guidelines, criteria and processes; a good track record; expertise. The fact that Christine at Craigmyle was already working with another church in the area was also valued – knowledge of local conditions, demographics, relationships were all regarded as helpful.
- An effective narrative
Working with Christine, there is great confidence in her writing abilities and admiration for the story she has been able to pull out of the facts. She has turned the church’s actions and plans into an effective narrative that would not otherwise have been defined.
- Organisational readiness: building the right team
Initially Christine’s role was to manage the NLHF process at EOI and, on a successful outcome, through the Round 1 submission. Because of the growing relationship between client and consultant, the brief widened, with Christine playing a key role in project management – always with a view to ensuring the client was gaining in readiness to survive the NLHF process. For example, securing funding to help HTH pay for other consultant input, assistance in identifying other external help needed and help to find and manage that team.
- Legacy of knowledge
NLHF want applicant organisations to build skills and capacity, from heritage management to fundraising. Even part way through the process, the HTH team have learnt a great deal, with a legacy of knowledge and positive staff interaction as a result of working with Christine’s input. They are now sharing their experiences of the NLHF process with other local churches and there will be an extensive programme of training and upskilling for staff and volunteers as part of the project delivery phase.
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CraigmyleNLHFweek
Day 1 https://www.craigmyle.org.uk/tips-and-blogs/the-evolving-role-of-national-heritage-lottery-fund/
Day 2 https://www.craigmyle.org.uk/tips-and-blogs/things-to-consider-before-an-nhlf-application/
Day 4 https://www.craigmyle.org.uk/tips-and-blogs/what-is-the-secret-to-writing-a-successful-nlhf-bid/
