Sustrans is a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. Sustrans works with families, communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people are able to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys, with better places and spaces to move through and live in.
Read the testimonial

Fundraising review and strategy

Bernstein Associates were asked to conduct a review of Sustran’s fundraising and help put together a realistic but ambitious strategy for doubling voluntary income. The review and strategy focussed on fundraising from individuals, including major donors, events, community, companies, and trusts. The brief also required us to take account of the organisation’s new brand positioning, assess existing staff skills and recommend the best structure to deliver the new strategy.

Working with the Communications Director and members of the fundraising team, Simon gathered data and their knowledge of the programme, analysed performance against sector norms, and presented his findings to the senior team. He then held an interactive away day with the whole fundraising team after which individual staff were asked to draft plans and produce budgets for their disciplines. Simon liaised with each budget holder and through an iterative process the plans evolved. The final strategy and budget laid out increased expenditure in different areas of fundraising and an exciting but achievable plan to double net income.

Restructuring and recruitment

Simon also proposed a revised structure and job descriptions for the fundraising team, including new posts in the investment areas, and a Fundraising Director role for which he helped to recruit by devising questions and tests, as well as sitting on the interview panel.

What Sustrans said

I knew Simon from my time as a FOE trustee and was confident he was the right person to review our fundraising and help us grow our income.

He quickly got to grips with our re-branding and the organisational context for fundraising. He offered some keen insights into the gaps and opportunities for our operation which we asked him to explore further in developing the strategy.

By involving the fundraising team throughout Simon was able to challenge existing assumptions constructively, inspire people to stretch themselves and keep everyone on-side despite some quite radical changes to our programme.

Simon’s expertise and advice were also invaluable in restructuring the fundraising team and helping us to recruit a new Fundraising Director. I’m sure many other charities would benefit from his knowledge.”

Malcolm Shepherd
Chief Executive, Sustrans