The Covid-19 crisis has generated a plethora of advice from education consultancies on what fundraising strategies schools and universities should adopt in response. We have been inundated with webinars and social media posts telling us how we should be responding.
I would urge all those in the front line of education fundraising to read , listen but then to trust their own judgement. Established development offices in either independent or state schools will each have their own slightly different set of circumstances which educational strategists will not be aware of. Strategy as defined in the OED is ‘a plan of action to achieve a long-term or overall aim’ . I would suggest that most , if not all , established development teams have already set their own aims and goals , and have a clear plan of action on how to achieve them. They don’t need consultants armed with fancy graphics to tell them what they should be doing. I have seen first hand some of the truly excellent and inspirational work development teams in schools have already undertaken in response to the crisis . This has included working with their communities on the production and manufacture of PPE, reaching out to their more senior alumni to check on their well-being , and strengthening cases for support in areas like bursary place provision. I applaud and admire the hard work done by diligent and professional fundraisers across both sectors of our school systems. To Multi - Academy Trusts who have not yet had the time , resource or inclination to look into the opportunities afforded by strategic fundraising I would urge you that NOW is the time to do so.
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