Case Study

Save the Children New Zealand

Embedding Relational Fundraising at Save the Children New Zealand

The Fundraising Agency (TFA)'s journey with Save the Children NZ (SCNZ) began during a not-for-profit conference, held online in the midst of a global pandemic.

The SCNZ CEO, Heidi Coetzee, was interested in developing a fundraising strategy that focused on relational fundraising practices, so naturally, Heidi and TFA Managing Director Sarah started conversations around what this could look like embedded within SCNZ.

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SCNZ had already identified some gaps in their existing fundraising approach, and recognised the need for expert support. TFA offered a way of working that SCNZ was looking for, and the working relationship started in 2022.

TFA undertook both internal and external stakeholder engagement studies, using a structured process.

This provided the opportunity to incorporate feedback from SCNZ team members and donors, which is invaluable to informing a successful fundraising strategy. Internally, TFA connected with the fundraising team, the Board, and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), while externally, engaged with key donors, who generously provided critical context to the analysis.

This feedback created a comprehensive picture for TFA to craft a bespoke fundraising strategy, with a framework specific to SCNZ, based on their strategic direction, and informed by their stakeholders.

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The strategy that was developed was robust and well-analysed, reflecting multiple perspectives, and was validated by external benchmarking.

The results of this collaboration have been transformative. Through the fundraising strategy, TFA have helped SCNZ finalise fundraising priorities that align with their broader organisational strategy, which ensures a smooth reporting experience for the donor and Board.

One of the most powerful outcomes was the engagement of their Communications & Marketing team throughout the process.

The language and messaging developed during this time has become a unifying force across the organisation, extending far beyond fundraising.

This alignment enabled the fundraising team to design clear donor journeys reflecting their strategic vision, which will enhance the experience for both donors and the organisation alike.

The SCNZ and TFA partnership continues to evolve. Development is currently in progress on the SCNZ corporate partnership and major gift programmes, and SCNZ is being readied to take their offerings to potential donors and partners with confidence.

Strong leadership is critical for fundraising success.

Achieving successful outcomes like those above requires strong leadership, and an openness that can be confronting.

It demands a willingness to embrace feedback - however challenging - because that's where the real growth happens. By opening an organisation up to insight, the potential for lasting impact is unlocked - that's where the gold is.