Our Experience
“The Trust engaged Marion Allford Associates to establish the feasibility and subsequent fundraising strategy in support of a major capital appeal to secure £15m. Throughout the staffing process their work was thorough and meticulous, their advice was clearly delivered and their recommendations comprehensively and unambiguously presented. Their strengths are manifest in their robust staff procedures and their ability to develop quickly an empathy with the cause without losing sight of reality. It has been a very successful relationship.’ Colonel William Shuttlewood OBE, Director of The Gurkha Welfare Trust
“We asked Marion Allford Associates (MAA) to propose how it might help The Rainbow Charity for Children with autism to develop a realistic and effective fundraising strategy for a Capital Appeal of £5 million to finance our expansion plans to purchase and renovate new premises and thereby extend the School’s provision up to 60 students. The consultancy work undertaken to date has been of an invaluable nature and the charity has benefited enormously. MAA has a strong team of consultants who are very experienced in their specialist field and the quality of service we have received has been superb. MAA have gone above and beyond their original brief and really held the charity’s hand through this process. Our lack of expertise and resources has meant that MAA have undertaken more work than they originally anticipated which they have done at no extra charge to the charity. I have no reservations at all about the service we’ve received from MAA, it has been outstanding and I would have no hesitation in recommending MAA for further work.”Karen Sorab, Chief Executive Officer, The Rainbow School for Children with Autism
“It was clear early on that the funds were coming in very slowly and in small amounts. We enlisted the support of Marion Allford Associates. From the outset we were impressed with their professional approach, energy, enthusiasm and insight into our project. Within 6 months all the funds were found - £350,000. We could not have achieved this without their help and we quickly learned that it is foolish to try on one’s own. I can recommend them to any charity that needs to raise funds. Don't believe you can do it yourself!” Dr Michael Mars, Chairman of MAGE (Medical Aid to Galle and its Environs, Sri Lanka), Lead Consultant Orthodontist for North Thames Cleft Lip and Palate Service at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust.
“This was from the outset- and indeed it remains – a complex project. You and your team applied your great professional expertise to helping us first to define our offering and then to finding the best ways of marketing it effectively and consistently. The “Board of Patrons” concept, which has proved popular with existing sponsors and is key to our approach going forward, is a particular strategic contribution in which you yourself were directly instrumental. Marion Allford Associates played a major part in bringing this UK project to its current state of development. We now have four major corporate sponsors on board, and hope that models which you have helped us to establish will enable us to attract still more. Your legacy nonetheless remains – and remains strongly visible – in the ongoing success of the project. I am delighted to acknowledge that fully.” John Dennis, Additional Director Asia and Shanghai Expo 2010, Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
“I employed Marion Allford Associates when planning our Appeal for £11 million. Marion herself was excellent. … The proof of the effectiveness of the advice from her consultancy is our success. We followed the recommendations about researching, planning and implementing our Appeal. Already we have £9 million in pledges!” Peter Durie, Vice-Chairman of The Grand Appeal for The Royal Hospital for Children, Bristol
“MAA took account of the specific needs of Mencap, including the relationship with our members and trustees, and drew these together to create a plan which was acceptable to everyone. The Appeal is now near its completion and we are in sight of our target of an additional £30 million for our project.” Fred Heddell, Former Chief Executive of Mencap
“Bournemouth University engaged Marion Allford Associates in 2000 to assist in the design and launch of its fundraising campaign - the initial objective being to support the development of a new learning resource and library. Our relationship with MAA has been based upon a close working partnership with Ms. Allford herself and two of her Associates. The relationship has been entirely successful and critical to the future development of the University. By demonstrating the ability to secure sizeable donations and helping to put in place the structure and mind set which will allow for future fundraising initiatives, Marion Allford Associates has fully met our expectations.” Professor Richard Conder, Former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Bournemouth University
“MAA has provided invaluable strategic advice, direction and support to ensure that we are in a position to prepare for our ambitious Appeal. The experience and expertise of MAA has enabled TreeHouse to develop and test its strategy with major donors and ensure its plans are realistic and achievable. We are indebted to MAA - we simply would not have been able to achieve this without their involvement. We thoroughly recommend MAA to other organisations.” Christine Asbury, Former Chief Executive of The TreeHouse Trust
“Throughout our association with MAA, I found their work to be of high quality, relevant to our needs, and easy to understand.” Dianne Asher, Chief Executive of Henshaws Society for Blind People
“With MAA’s recommendations BISS now has a clear Strategy and specific plans for a Fundraising Campaign to raise £2.5 million over the next 3 year period … we have been very impressed by their professionalism and ability to be innovative and identify future needs.” Ross Sinclair, Chairman of the British & International Sailors’ Society
“I was impressed by the tactful, rigorous and imaginative way in which they approached the task. MAA developed a close working relationship with staff and governors and acquired a detailed understanding of the activities and aims of the Foundation. On the basis of a detailed analysis of both current funding arrangements and future options, they were able to produce excellent recommendations that are currently being implemented. I have no hesitation in strongly recommending Marion Allford Associates.” Sir Michael Peckham, Former Chairman of the BUPA Foundation
“Marion Allford Associates was commissioned to assist in starting up this new national charity to champion the cause of people living with disfigurements. This involved market research and interim management services and, subsequently, the provision of marketing and fundraising consultancy, recruitment assistance and then on-going advice as the new organisation developed. The Foundation’s Appeal Strategy and Case for Support, developed with the advice of MAA, have received unsolicited praise from top businessmen and major donors who consider the work the best they have seen. MAA’s advice has been professional and innovative. The consultancy can take pride in the pivotal role it has played in the development of the this new charity.” John Hart CBE, Former Chief Executive of The Healing Foundation
“The work of Marion Allford Associates has been highly professional with impressive attention to detail. Assumptions have been questioned and the Associates have not been afraid to insist that we address issues raised.” John Kinder, Chair of Trustees for the Prior’s Court Foundation
“The Trust is extremely pleased with the support and guidance we have received from Marion Allford Associates. All of the work is carried out with diligence, confidence and thoroughness. We are confident that MAA’s vast experience in this sector will position us well to develop a very successful appeal and consequently provide children using our services with the most modern care and facilities.” Sir Stephen Moss, Former Acting Chief Executive for Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust
“MAA’s recommendations were crucial to the Development Trust’s overall fundraising strategy and the subsequent production of its Case for Support. Ms Allford continues to provide personal mentoring support for the Development Director and his team. MAA’s advice has been consistently professional, positive, innovative and strategically astute.” Robert Hughes, Former Development Director at Bournemouth University