"Brakeley has given us confidence to invest more heavily in Development and Alumni Relations and project our academic strengths.  They have helped us put the essential building blocks in place and given us the ability to move forward with what I believe will be a sustainable activity” 

 

Professor Noel Lloyd,

Vice Chancellor

Aberystwyth University

Wales

 

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"We have just embarked on a fundraising campaign. Importantly, Brakeley first  advised us on whether the campaign was feasible at all. They then advised on the strategy we would need and finally, they have coached us to acquire the skills to manage the campaign ourselves and have acted as a sounding board as the campaign has progressed. With Brakeley at our side we are acquiring the skills and tools to run the campaign ourselves which is proving to be successful."

 

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“Brakeley went to work for WWF around the world on very short notice and produced an initial study that helped launch our Centre.  The fact that the firm had consultants already positioned in many countries who were familiar with local culture and language was key for us and we have been pleased with the work.”

Timothy Sharpe,

Director, WWF Network Major Gifts Centre

WWF - World Wide Fund for Nature

Washington DC, USA

 

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"Brakeley devised a creative plan for our fundraising and helped us in many other ways to increase the effectiveness of the Alliance. Our fundraising success has much to do with their input."

"Brakeley's advice has been critical to all our successes in fundraising and their consultants have shown great sensitivity in adapting their approach to Sweden."

 

 

"Brakeley convinced us not only that international fundraising was worth the investment, but also provided us with a road map for implementation within the context of a more strategic plan for international outreach."

 

"Brakeley wrote an excellent report and provided vital intelligence about the attitudes of our European alumni that enables us to plan our next steps with greater confidence."

 

"Particularly in a country where higher education fundraising is still in its beginnings, Brakeley’s international experience has been very helpful for us. The initial engagement of Brakeley’s consultants has helped us greatly in setting up our fundraising the right way and making the right strategic decisions. Even now, after having installed our fundraising department successfully a few years ago, it is very helpful to have periodic workshops with Brakeley and hear an external and experienced view on our current fundraising activities and our plans for the future.”

Mag. Ralph Zettl

Finance Director

Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz

Austria

 

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"It has been very helpful to call on Brakeley's advice on a regular basis to validate our activities and ensure we were on the right track."

"The effect of Brakeley's work has been to transform the attitudes within the University towards alumni, the business community and the rest of society. We have a firm basis for future fundraising."

 

"Brakeley brought an intelligent understanding, a sound methodology, and a strong commitment to fundraising for the needs of UcL. I am delighted to recommend them at any time."

"The construction of the Case for Support clarified the challenges we had to sort out and the additional evidence that was needed to put forward a compelling and credible argument for external funding. It was a very instructive process and has enabled us to be much more specific about our fundraising objectives, re-examining our positioning and development structure. Instrumentally the case has been most useful as a source document, but although the innovative vision that emerged from these discussions has not yet been actively pursued, it remains on the agenda."

"Through two changes of university leadership Brakeley's professionalism and encouragement sustained Umeå University's fundraising activity. The campaign provided us with the opportunity to finance essential academic initiatives. Equally valuable is the expanded circle of friendship that it has brought to us. The competence introduced by our friends at Brakeley continues to serve us well."

 

"The process of writing the case for support was vitally important as the interviews and subsequent analysis and discussions of the material produced involved a critical look at the future. I realised that every organisation has to have a case statement, but a case statement is not usable as an end product. However no other end products such as brochures and so on, can be written until you have the case statement straight.

 

The process of creating the case statement forces consensus. Everyone must be agreed on "what we are, what we have done, what we are going to do". In our case, the extended case writing process highlighted where we needed to concentrate our efforts and ultimately resulted in a portfolio of concrete programmes that would deliver results, and more compelling communication tools."