Tell us about your role and what you do at AskRIGHT.
I’m a Consultant and Managing Director at AskRIGHT. This means I provide fundraising consulting services to our non-profit clients as well as managing a lot the day-to-day operations of our consultancy business.
AskRIGHT has undergone some changes and you’re nearly one year into the new business. How has the first year been?
Our first new year in the new business has been fantastic and has gone so fast. Of course, there have been some challenges as you would expect with any business start-up or handover, but our three Directors make a great team which means we can approach everything we do with positivity and mutual support. Although we’re not located together, with me in Wānaka and Louise and Fi in Auckland, we make time for regular face to face catch-ups which always fill our cups. And of course, it has been a pleasure this year to work with our clients to help them achieve great fundraising outcomes.
What are you working on at the moment?
My two key projects right now are a capital campaign with SPCA and managing the grants programme for Bellyful NZ. These are quite different pieces of work with the capital campaign focusing on specific actions over a fixed period of time, whereas the grants management is a continuous, rolling programme. What they both have in common is the importance of an effective strategy to ensure the best possible fundraising results, ultimately enabling our clients to fulfil their mission.
What does an ideal day look like for you?
We’re very lucky to be able work flexibly, which I personally thrive on. My ideal day would start with some movement whether it be in the gym or taking a walk, followed by a combination of client work (ideally including some online or face to face meetings), some volunteer work – I am a Trustee for Kahu Youth Trust and also volunteer with some other local organisations – and spending time with my family.
What do you love about your job and what makes you proud?
I still love everything I loved about fundraising when I started in the sector 25 years ago in the UK – it feels amazing to be able to use my skills and experience for good. I spent a short stint in tourism marketing when I went travelling twenty years ago but it wasn’t long before I went back to fundraising for that sense of job satisfaction. Knowing that when we succeed, our communities succeed is something for us all to be proud of.
Tell us a little bit about your specialism and how you became an expert in that area.
I’ve done a bit of everything in my time so am pretty comfortable in all areas of fundraising but if I had to choose some focus areas, I would say fundraising strategy development, capital campaign and grants fundraising. These have been a focus of my consulting in recent years and are areas I really enjoy.
What one change would you like to see for the not-for-profit sector?
I would love to see more understanding amongst non-profit boards of their role in building a positive fundraising culture. This is often a challenge for our clients as they navigate the challenges of securing the resources and support needed to be successful in fundraising which ultimately impacts the success of the whole organisation.
If you could share one piece of professional advice for fundraisers, what would it be?
I would probably go with my British roots and say ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’! Fundraising can be a roller coaster ride so it’s important to celebrate on the good days and ‘keep calm and carry on’ on the tougher days which are usually not a reflection of your skills or commitment.
Outside of your work at AskRIGHT, what are your passions and hobbies?
Living in Wānaka, I’m lucky to be able to get into the outdoors often – with skiing and walking being my two favourite past times. I also love reading, movie watching and a good pinot noir in front of the fire on a cold winter day (or pinot gris outside on a warm summer day)!
If you’d like to chat about fundraising or coaching in your organisation, and how the AskRIGHT team can help, we’d love to talk – email [email protected] to set up a free 30-minute chat.