Fundraising Plan for Marie Curie - Case Study Example

Fundraising     affiliation: Executive summary This is a fundraising plan for Marie Curie where funds meantfor funding research are to be collected. The rising number of cancer patients in UK is an indication that better services ought to be offered. The services are wanting; actually, majority of the patients are happy. However, to ensure these services are improved, more funds are required, hence, the need to conduct a fundraising. Plan Overview This fundraising plan intends to outline the requirements that Marie Curie Cancer Care is in dire need of if its mission and objectives realization. The plan aims at raising funds meant for conducting research about cancer and other illnesses. It is imperative to outline the mission and the work Marie Curie is involved in. This is an organisation based in the United Kingdom, and is fully registered as charitable and freely offers nursing care to terminally-ill individuals both in hospices and at home. Additionally, Marie Curie is involved in carrying out cancer-related research, palliative care and end-of-life care. The organisation has been in existence since 1948 and its mission has remained ensuring that all people with cancer or other illnesses have access to high quality service needed in their place of choice1. This fundraising plan was agreed upon meeting with the relevant stakeholders after realizing that more information was needed in order to offer top-notch services. In a recent survey conducted by the National Health Service (NHS), almost 90% of the respondents expressed satisfaction at the care offered to them. It was noted that 89% of the 110,000 respondents rated the services as excellent compared 88% in the year 2013. A further 86% stated that they were offered a chance to choose from a variety of treatment methods in comparison to 85% and 83% in 2013 and 2010 respectively. A whopping 95% said their privacy was guaranteed while 91% stated that the nurses keenly listened to them and that their questions were satisfactorily answered2. Evidently, these figures show a positive outcome of nursing care offered by most organisations among them Marie Curie. In light of this, it is vitally important to conduct a research on various ways to handle cancer. Having conducted a SWOT analysis, Marie Curie- like other organisations- has its strong areas as well as weak ones and threats facing it. Firstly, the organisation’s mission is strength in itself as many donors see the need to extend their assistance. Secondly, having remained transparent all along has given Marie Curie the much-needed credibility. Further, the organisation has not contravened the principles set forth by the Institute of Fundraising one of which is ensuring all money donated is used for the sole purpose for which it was solicited3. Notwithstanding these and other unlisted strengths, the organisation’s weaknesses include lack of enough funds to cater for all needy people. Currently, Marie Curie caters for over 40,000 people annually and, this calls for enormous resources. Moreover, the fact that many cancer illnesses are incurable means many resources are required to offer care to the ever-rising number of patients. Funding details Previously, this organisation had benefitted from donors and significantly, from the government funds, which have proved precious to research conducted occasionally. Currently, there is need for this fundraising meant to fund research projects to improve services offered at Marie Curie. A majority of people who are often diagnosed with cancer prefer to die at home. Actually, 65% of them would rather die in homes than in hospices. As a result, the calls for an increased number in nurses meaning additional funds are required. Further, by conducting these research projects, it becomes easier for Marie Curie to evaluate on the best methods to offer these services. The strategies to be employed in this fundraising include printing of cards to be sold to well-wishers online4. Further, Marie Curie shall print T-shirts and other clothes with a slogan “I play a part in fighting cancer” inscribed on back. These merchandise shall be sold at a slightly higher price than the normal ones all in a bid to fundraise. The major donors who have remained supportive for years, letters will be drafted and sent to them requesting them to extend the assistance. As per the Institute of Fundraising, none of the donors shall be compelled to give donations. Instead, the commission does not prohibit persuasion hence Marie Curie shall persuade donors and other members of public. Implementation For this fundraising to be a success, the organisation intends to implement it systematically with the sale of cards and t-shirts taking the first round. Currently, the organisation is in the process of printing the t-shirts and other merchandise, which will be sold upon completion of printing. Besides availing these cards online, the organisation intends to have a media campaign whereby awareness campaign will be made. The essence of this step is to show people that cancer does not have to be an instant killer as is often the case. Once the advertisements are placed on the media, the next step will be to sell the merchandise prior to the main fundraising event. During this event, some few, less-expensive equipment will be sold in a raffle technique. The other partners will be invited to the main event without having to be charged as a way of appreciating their unrelenting sacrifice. Development calendar The printing of the t-shirts has already begun as that of the cards; the next step is to avail the materials to the public. However, the advertisements will be placed on the media in a month’s time in order to prepare the public on the cards and other materials. Six weeks from now, Marie Curie will start selling the cards first. The main event is expected to be held three months from now to give as many a chance to donate as possible. As the campaign runs, the purchase of the simple equipment in use as raffle items will be done in preparation of the main event. Plan management For the fundraising to meet the objectives expected by Marie Curie, qualified volunteers are needed to assist in various tasks. Firstly, the organisation seeks to engage the services of graphic designers to help in creating an appealing document. For one to qualify for this position there has to be evidence of immense experience in the relevant field. Secondly, a good virtual assistant will be vital to answer queries that arise concerning the fundraising event. Further, a public relations officer is necessary in trying to handle the people during the event. As the position depicts, the skills required for this volunteer are mass communication skills and high level of competence in communication. There is a need for an entertainer to grace the fundraising event and mostly a comedian who is expected to keep the people entertained. While entertainment skills are required for this volunteer, a portrayal of hospitality needs to be evident. That is to say, Marie Curie would prefer a comedian who has shown interest in assisting the needy in the past. Volunteer will sell the merchandise to the public during the weekends. Due to the sensitivity of this duty, the few selected individuals will have proof of integrity. It is against the policy of the Institute of Fundraising to give false information regarding the purpose of fundraising5. Therefore, the assigned persons have to ensure money collected from the sale of the merchandise is received by the organisations. Monitoring and evaluation There is a need to maintain the integrity of Marie Curie, as it is an organisation whose efforts are evident. Therefore, ensuring that the fundraising activities are above board is imperative hence; this section will focus on this issue. The individuals tasked with the sale of merchandise will be required to submit a daily report on the number of sales made. Further, one permanent staff at Marie Curie will monitor the online activities to ensure avoidance of unacceptable behaviour. It is recommendable that whenever managing staff in non-profit organisations, the accountability demand have to be on rise. Upon money collection, an independent auditor will be invited to confirm if the figures are a true reflection of the same. A special system shall be on use in tracking and counterchecking the validity of the online purchased cards, whereby anyone buying the card will have a special number. While these steps may seem stringent, any organisation -whether for-profit or non-profit- has to be run in a professional way. Therefore, all the government requirements will be observed as well ethical ones, which have made Marie Curie the organisation it is today. References Chew, Celine. Strategic Positioning in Voluntary and Charitable Organizations. Madison, New York. Routledge 2009 Cunningham, Ian and James, Philips. Voluntary Organizations and Public Service Delivery. Madison, New York. 2011 Institute of Fundraising. “5.0 Fundraising Communications and Techniques” (n.d.) http://www.institute-of-fundraising.org.uk/guidance/code-of-fundraising- practice/fundraising-communications-and-techniques (accessed Jan 6 2014). Marie Curie Cancer Care. “What we do” (n.d.) https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/who (Accessed Jan 6 2014). National Health Service. “Cancer patients increasingly positive about their care” (2014, September 14) http://www.england.nhs.uk/2014/09/25/cancer-patient-exp-survey/ (Accessed Jan 6 2014) Read More