About Us
Our Approach
"Philanthropic fundraising truly forms the backbone and is the foundation of every single interaction that we have with our clients. It is so incredibly important. I hope you can experience it and truly enjoy it as much as we all do".
– Sarah Barrer
Fundraising is really about people; connect with them and the ask becomes easy.
The best part is that the ask is just 5% of the work – 95% is in the planning. That’s in your control, and that is where we can help.
A belief in optimistic, relationship-led fundraising permeates every strategy we create, and we’ve created hundreds since we began our work in 2012 as Barrer & Co. By supporting charities to take a considered, interconnected and planned approach to fundraising, we’ve helped them elevate their fundraising efforts and meet their goals.
What we see is often a lack of strategy, and/or a lack of clarity about how donations will be used. That uncertainty translates into a lack of confidence. Clarity begins with your Board and filters throughout your organisation, embedding fundraising throughout.
Successful fundraising doesn’t have to be stressful; it requires a solid foundation of policies and processes to underpin a clear and comprehensive towards action and growth.
What working with us looks like
The best fundraising is based on relationships, and that is how we like to work – in partnership. We will champion and advocate for you but, most importantly, we will help you maximise the good you create by making fundraising easier.
We work initially with your Board and leadership; they are the guardians of your constitution and your purpose, and they establish the priorities that you ask people to support. Experience has shown us, and our clients, that this work approach works.
Creating the systemwide foundations for strategic fundraising success is complex and energy-intensive. If you are ready for it, we will work with you to create a practical approach designed specifically for your not-for-profit and its purpose.
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We will learn about you: how you currently work, what systems and processes you have in place, what resources you will need
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We’ll take a systems view: what is necessary across your organisation to create the essential foundations for effective fundraising (e.g. policies regarding donations; impact measurement and reporting)
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We use real-world information: we bring our own experience, New Zealand related insights and client-informed data to create practical and informed plans that answer your needs, and those of your donors.
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We build momentum through iteration: we test, refine and reiterate ideas to ensure they are practical and appropriate for you.
"With her inbuilt enthusiasm Sarah Barrer has a unique way of connecting and engaging with donors. Sarah understands the delicacy of the donating journey, the importance of genuine stewardship and staying the distance. She is the perfect partner".
SIR DONALD MCKINNON
