WHAT WE DO
Achates is a creative consultancy with a holistic approach.
Having established an outstanding reputation for innovative and tailored approaches to fundraising, we've also developed a growing following for our strategic project development – offering a complete organisational approach from visioning through to implementation.
Established by Caroline McCormick, who's been a senior arts manager and fundraiser for more than 25 years, Achates brings together a team of expert Associates to offer an ethical, tailored approach to organisations of all sizes – helping you achieve a long-term, sustainable position and maximise the impact of your work.
Our ethos is based on quality of service and that's how we came by our name. In Virgil's Aeneid, Achates was the close friend and loyal advisor of Trojan leader, Aeneas. We thought this described the exact relationship we offer our clients.
AUDIENCE IDENTIFICATION AND DEVELOPMENT
• Identification and translation of key audience segments
• Community consultation to identify the priorities and interests of groups and barriers to engagement
• Definition of offer, projects and programmes
COACHING AND MENTORING
• Tailored and bespoke personal guidance
• Dedicated regular sessions and feedback
• Group training sessions
CREATIVE PROJECT DEVELOPMENT
• Review of artistic, education and engagement programmes supporting public benefit and income generation
• Development of outreach and engagement strategies
• Education and engagement project development
FUNDRAISING FEASIBILITY STUDIES
• Review of the organisation from a fundraising perspective
• Comprehensive assessment of what target it is possible to fundraise and resources required to do so
• Optional combined capital and revenue fundraising approach
FUNDRAISING STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT
• Maximisation and diversification of voluntary income
• Assessment of assets and refinement of Case for Support
GOVERNANCE DEVELOPMENT
• Charity creation
• Board recruitment and development
• Developing a culture of fundraising
• Best practice Board
IMPACT EVALUATION AND RESEARCH
• Review of the design, implementation, or outcomes of a defined programme or project
• Design of evaluation services, tools and facilitation of qualitative and quantitative
PROSPECT RESEARCH
• Strategic and tailored research
• Identification of feasible statutory, trust, foundation, individual and corporate leads
• Due diligence
RESILIENCE REVIEW AND INCOME OPTIMISATION
• A brief audit creating a snapshot of opportunities and barriers
• Models to optimise income generation
STATUTORY, TRUST AND FOUNDATION BID WRITING
• Identification and development
• Bid writing
• Mentoring bid writing
STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS PLANNING
• Delivery of holistic solutions evidenced by research and evaluation
• Scoping and refinement of models, recommendations on resourcing and budgets
• Development of risk register, monitoring and evaluation