“I know I don’t have to explain it all –  Simpall really get what we do.”

“I think one of the most important aspects for me is that our Fundraising Consultant really gets what we do here.

Working with people with intellectual disabilities, it’s important that everything written about us and for us, tells our story sensitively.  Su tells our stories in a way we can be comfortable with, and yet still delivers the emotional punch needed for outside funders to relate to. 

She puts a lot of time into understanding our needs, and the needs of the funders, and marrying them up well.  I wouldn’t have the time to do all that research and writing.  And I wouldn’t want to have to double-check every little thing about every application.  But I can trust Su to take care of that for me, and still keep to our values.  There’s a lot of trust in this relationship.”

"I had my doubts this stuff would work – but it does. I'm a convert."

“As an accountant I know how hard people have to work for their money.  And when our community needed a new Rec Centre, I was happy to step up and lead the fundraising campaign … but had my doubts that individuals would be in a position to support it.

Our campaign manager told me that I needed to lead by example and give money myself before I asked anyone – she said it would make me feel more confident asking others.  She also said that the resources study had identified an individual who could be asked for a five figure sum, if asked by the right person in the right way.  She meant me – I had to ask someone for that amount of money!

Well, I figured I had to give it a go, even if just to keep her quiet (she seemed overly optimistic in my opinion!).  So, my wife and I gave a cash donation and I also gave a gift in kind of my expertise.  Step one over and I had to admit, I did feel a bit more confident about asking.  I asked a couple of other people and they said yes – they wanted to join me in achieving this centre for the community.  I now felt a whole lot more confident.  I went to visit the chap who’d been identified, followed the outline I’d been given and …  He said yes!  I was amazed and delighted and stunned to find this stuff really did work!   I’m a convert.”

“Joy and Su are part of our team.”

“I’ll admit I was worried that bringing in consultants might undermine my wishes when it came to appeals and communications.  It certainly hasn’t turned out that way.  Joy and Su work with me and my staff to ensure great results, while always maintaing the integrity of our organisation and the dignity of the people we serve.

An added bonus is that our fundraising costs are actually lower than many other NPOs”