Alice Garrad Consulting provides fundraising consultancy to the voluntary and community sector and to arts and heritage organisations

Drawing on a wealth of fundraising knowledge and experience, our focus is on helping organisations maximise their fundraising potential.

Whatever your size or your sector, whether you are national, local or international, we pride ourselves on really understanding what you are about and working with you to come up with a solution to your fundraising challenge.

Our loyal client base, built up over 25 years, is testament to our personal, flexible, results driven approach.


Our services are wide ranging, we offer:

Fundraising Reviews to spot gaps and opportunities

“'Being reviewed' is never easy for a department and the individuals within that department, but Alice Garrad's professionalism and expertise in the field helped make the process almost painless. Her non-judgemental, open and transparent way of working helped instil confidence, enabling her to gain everyone's trust and to bring everyone along with her. And she delivered on budget and on time.

The results speak for themselves. We have a fundraising strategy in place that looks set to serve us well for the foreseeable future. The review also gave us confidence to progress our plans for the capital appeal.

I would have no hesitation in recommending Alice Garrad to any agency wishing to enhance its fundraising. ”

Siofra Healy,
Former Director of Income Generation and Communications, Northern Ireland Hospice

Fundraising Reviews involve a thorough analysis of current performance as well as recommendations on filling gaps and maximising opportunities. The review process is a genuine partnership with the client and results in a stronger, more cost effective and efficient fundraising operation. Northern Ireland Hospice, Children in Crossfire and Greenwich and Bexley Cottage Hospice are amongst many clients which have used this service

Feasibility studies to research new markets

“Alice produced an excellent, well-researched and thorough Feasibility Study for Sightsavers for new areas of fundraising in Ireland, which demonstrated an in-depth understanding of the marketplace and a quick grasp of the issues facing the charity. The study proved a very strong platform on which to build successful new income sources. Alice combines a strategic approach with practical hands on experience of fundraising. You know that advice from Alice will be honest and can be fully trusted as it is based on first-hand experience of being a highly skilled and successful fundraiser. Alice's mentoring skills are second-to-none and I would always turn to her when I want an opinion I can trust.”

Jennie Meadows
Former Director of Income Generation and Communications, Sightsavers

Feasibility studies give clients the information and insight to assess a new fundraising market. Studies include an analysis of the market, the competition, the legal framework and the fundraising environment . Sightsavers, Headliners, The Samaritans and WaterAid have all used this service.

Feasibility studies to test appeals

Fundraising Feasibility Studies are useful to assess the likelihood of appeals or new fundraising initiatives achieving success. They involve testing the Case for Support, identifying the likely constituencies, establishing possible gift levels and identifying potential Appeal leadership.

Interim and Appeal Management

Alice Garrad led Mencap’s Big Step Forward Appeal £4.5m on a 2 year project basis. On completion , Paddy Griffiths, Mencap’s Head of Corporate and Trusts said,

“ Mencap will always be grateful for the support you have provided. The new centre in Belfast is the start of our organisational move to give more children with a learning disability and their families the chance to live a life full of the opportunities and aspirations so many of us are able to take for granted.

It has been a huge group effort across the business, but your role in this cannot be underestimated. The financial contribution you have made is extreme but your overall contribution goes way beyond money. I have been impressed by the determination, commitment and sheer hard work that you and the team put into the Appeal. You have led the line superbly – and kept going when others might have slowed down. You have left a great legacy for us to build on.”

Paddy Griffiths,
former Head of Corporate, Trusts and Foundations for Mencap UK

Alice Garrad offers clients the opportunity to out-source Project or Appeal Management roles on an interim basis, giving instant access to a wealth of fundraising experience and networks without the risks and costs of permanent recruitment. Clients have found this a cost effective, speedy and flexible way to get the job done.

Job design, recruitment, mentoring and training to find and develop skilled fundraising staff

“Alice Garrad has been working with Concern Worldwide, NICHS and the Irish Heart Foundation teams in Belfast, London and Dublin for over 12 years offering, among other things, strategic restructures and strategies, recruitment, mentoring and training. Alice’s vast experience in recruitment and mentoring has helped deliver results on both a financial and developmental level for the organisations and the individuals involved.  Alice’s warm and friendly nature and excellent communication skills ensure that she gets the best out of her mentees and they get the best from her.  Her extensive skills and experience in the sector across all areas have added immense strategic value.”

Siobhan Hanley,
Siobhan held fundraising leadership positions at Concern, Irish Heart Foundation and NICHS. Siobhan is now Head of Region, Trocaire Northern Ireland

Based on 20 years experience as a fundraiser, Alice Garrad Consulting helps clients recruit and retain the best possible fundraising staff. Writing clear, compelling job descriptions, developing challenging interview questions and written assignments and joining the interview panel are all part of the service.

One to one mentoring is offered face to face or on the phone and ranges from acting as an informal sounding board through to formal, regular mentoring meetings.

Our flexible training programme helps staff develop skills across the fundraising mix delivered by Alice Garrad Consulting and Training People.

Planning and strategy to create a clear road map for your fundraising

“My experience of consultancy from Alice was positive and productive. Her depth of experience and knowledge in fundraising were invaluable in terms of planning a significant fundraising appeal which successfully met its target. Alice’s expertise in this challenging field was an asset and played an important part in helping us achieve a very positive outcome.”

Linda McClure
Head of Children’s Services Operations Barnardo’s NI (now retired)

Alice Garrad Consulting works with clients to develop and roll out practical, achievable, experience based fundraising strategies and action plans. These range from an overall fundraising strategy to a plan for an appeal or activity.

Hospice UK has commissioned Alice Garrad Consulting to complete several large scale planning projects including business plans for the national Tesco Charity of the year adoption.

Making your case to funders - helping you make the best possible pitch

“Alice's expertise and knowledge has been critical to ensuring we sourced the funding required to proceed with our ambitious plans for development of our social enterprise which encompasses social housing and a coffee shop complimenting our existing garden centre and urban farm for adults with Learning Disabilities and Autism. I have no doubt that we will be working with Alice in the future. Alice came recommended to us, and I am delighted to assure any potential client that 'Alice Garrad Consulting delivered.’”

Damian Cassidy
Manager, Kilcreggan Homes

Alice Garrad Consulting works with clients to articulate a compelling Case for Support to appeal to both head and heart. A well argued case is a vital tool when appealing to grant making trusts and wealthy individual donors.

Alice Garrad Consulting offers a comprehensive grant application service to clients including researching potential funders, writing and editing applications, preparing funder reports and advising on donor care. Barnardo’s, Disability Action and Home-Start have all achieved funding success using this service.