ABOUT SUZIE REES FUNDRAISING
ABOUT ME
I'm Suzie, a fundraising consultant specialising in trusts and foundations fundraising for small charities, particularly those delivering programmes internationally. I can help you with all areas of trust and foundation fundraising, including setting up trusts fundraising in your organisation, or revitalising and growing your existing trusts programme.
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I live in a small village in Derbyshire with my husband Ollie, daughter Fern and dog Poppy. When I’m not at work I spend most of my time wandering around my local woods or working on my allotment with my daughter. I also love running, horse riding, swimming and pilates and my goal this year is to run a marathon! Alongside my fundraising consultancy I’m also one of three Directors of The Friendly Bench CIC, a small social enterprise, giving me great insight into the highs and lows of running a small organisation.
VALUES
I intentionally choose to work only with organisations who share my values of kindness, empathy, and a focus on listening and learning - and those delivering sustainable, genuinely locally-led programmes that make a real difference to people’s lives. Many of the charities I work with partner with organisations in lower income countries, but are on the journey of shifting the power to their overseas partners.
Does this sound like your organisation?
Check out my services page to see how I can help, contact me directly, or get to know me on LinkedIn.
MY BACKGROUND
I’ve been working in fundraising since back in 2011, when I joined Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust originally as a Fundraising Assistant applying for grants from the Landfill Communities Fund, Heritage Lottery Fund and smaller grant making trusts. After 4 years I moved to the The Wildlife Trusts’ central office, where I developed and submitted applications to grant funders on behalf of the whole Wildlife Trusts movement (47 separate organisations) as well as organising training and events for Wildlife Trust fundraisers. In 2016 I joined the fantastic East African Playgrounds (now Play Action International) as the 5th staff member, to set up their trusts and foundations fundraising programme. After a nomination from my lovely team I was awarded UK Fundraiser of the Year 2019 from the Institute of Fundraising (now the Chartered Institute of Fundraising).
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Since 2020, I’ve been working as a freelance fundraising consultant. I’ve been lucky enough to support a huge range of fantastic small charities focused overseas with their trusts and foundations fundraising. Cause areas have ranged from education, livelihoods, access to justice and environment/conservation (turnover ranging from c.£50k-£1m). My clients have included Sumatran Orangutan Society, Resource Alliance, Justice Defenders, Clowns Without Borders, Awamu and Raising Futures Kenya. Check out some testimonials and case studies.
