The Wolfson Foundation has launched a new online toolkit to support state schools starting out in fundraising, working in partnership with the Institute for Development Professionals in Education (IDPE) and fundraising consultancy More Partnership.
The State School Fundraising Toolkit is designed to equip schools with the tools and knowledge they need to build their fundraising capacity. It focusses on the role of school leaders in fundraising and includes advice on outstanding practice, as well as step-by-step guidance on how to set up effective, long-term fundraising programmes in schools.
Paul Ramsbottom OBE, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation said: ‘We know from experience that schools can make compelling proposals for support to major funders but sometimes then get stuck as to where to look next. We hope the toolkit will support schools starting out in fundraising to maximise their success, and, in turn, enhance educational opportunities. This toolkit is aimed primarily at those schools who haven’t fundraised before, or have felt that fundraising is not for them.’
The toolkit includes examples, case studies and templates from a range of state school settings across the UK. These schools have been able to enhance their core missions through successful fundraising and they have shared their experiences so that other schools can benefit.
The toolkit is available freely online for school leaders to refer to as they progress along their fundraising journey and will continue to be updated to provide access to the latest guidance on the components needed to develop successful fundraising.
’Fundraising requires resilience and patience, it takes time to develop relationships with those who can give, but every school can be successful,’ said Simon Pennington, Partner, More Partnership. ‘With the right approach and resources in place, fundraising can transform the opportunities a school offers its young people.’
‘We are extremely grateful to the Wolfson Foundation, More Partnership, and the many schools who have contributed to this free toolkit,’ said Louise Bennett, CEO of the Institute of Development Professionals in Education (IDPE). ‘Now more than ever, we want to support school leaders to close the gap in educational attainment, and fundraising can support schools to provide the best educational experience for young people. We hope this new toolkit will support school leaders from across the state sector to develop successful fundraising programmes and achieve equal access to funding.’
