I’ve been a freelance fundraising consultant for just over a month now. I didn’t set myself any targets when setting out, except that of course my new venture had to be a ‘going concern’ after a a certain period. I’m pretty much on track, with a few clients in the pipeline (thank you all my wonderful friends and contacts on LinkedIn who initiated them!) and several commissions underway.
One thing that I had always planned for was that I would take on a few pro bono projects (that is, where I’m giving my time for free) at the start. I know that not everyone can afford to do this, but as I didn’t have a whole lot of clients lined up from the start, it felt appropriate to me, and especially since I’ve been a strong advocate and beneficiary of volunteers in my previous role.
It’s not entirely selfless, my aim is that the two pro bono projects I’ve taken on will be useful in building up experience and testimonials to help prove my worth to future clients, and in part I guess, to build my self-confidence.
One client had approached me to chat about fundraising, and the other I heard about through a friend. Both are causes that I believe passionately in, and they each have unique challenges. Another factor for me was that neither really has the funds at this stage to take on a paid fundraising consultant. It also feels important to say that neither had asked for my time for free, or suggested a no win no fee or commission-based relationship.
One is a local, new, community interest company (CIC) with plans to support children and young people displaying violent and challenging behaviour (VCB) and their families, through creative craft-based activities.
The second is Climate Museum UK, who since 2019 have been working to support the arts, heritage and cultural sectors to engage the public with the unfolding Earth crisis.
With both, I’m helping develop a case for support, and working out what they can and should be fundraising for, before we start putting applications in. I’ve been clear to both that my support will be time-limited, and that my input will flex depending on my commitments to other clients. I’ve got experience and skills to bring, but I’m also learning a lot from them too.
Because of Climate Museum UK’s non-hierarchical and collaborative structure, I’ve changed the way I would normally work with a client. Instead of having a single point of contact, I realised that the best way to support them was to sign up as a member (of the CIC) and fit in with their structures and ways of working. I’m just one of many associate members who are passionate about CMUK’s mission and principles, but am doing a slightly different role within the organisation than most, who are more focused on delivering the activities and outputs.
I’m keen to hear from other freelance consultants – what do you see as the benefits and drawbacks of pro bono work? What did it teach you about your practice?
fund your cause 