Michelle Benson Email and Phone Number

Creating on-line resources for senior fundraisers and charity leaders to grow your charity income. Including how to use LinkedIn to fundraise from high value partners (CSR, Trusts & Major Donors). I offer individual and team training, coaching and consultancy, with a focus on how to use social media to connect with all those closed funders in a GDPR and more human friendly manner. If you need to connect to people who are hard to reach, I can show you how.

As a member of the Senior Management team, helped devised organisational strategy to reverse years of deficits, led on charity rebrand, updated case of support, recruited and settled new staff team and secured new high value donors.

Member of the Senior Management team, helped devised a three year strategy to broaden income streams, including entering the social investment space. Helped renew two major donors one corporate and one grant giving fund representing a significant percentage of the charity's income.

As a member of the Senior Management team I helped developed the five year business plan and strategy post the merger of two venture philanthropy foundations. Throughout charity merger retained 100% of donor and exceeded annual target by £1m (15%). Myself and two fundraisers raised £7m from 98 donors. Personally secured £750K from an individual donor and £700K from a grant making trust. Managed two leadership Boards comprising of UHNWI’s, senior corporate donors and Grant Directors. Led on the delivery of the annual gala dinner in raising £1.1m from 450 senior executives from the private equity industry (exceeding previous targets).https://www.theguardian.com/voluntary-sector-network/2012/aug/03/small-charities-raising-funds

This role oversaw 33 fundraisers and 5 income streams. Key highlights included securing £11m from FutureBuilders (their largest grant), winning the Blue Peter Appeal pitch which raised £1.3m, winning the Vodafone adoption £900K, introducing Major Donors and school fundraising as two new income streams, streamlining events fundraising and making it to the top of Mount Fuji as a challenge event guide.

Headed up a team of corporate fundraisers that went from raising £9K a year to £750K within 24 months. I was also a steering group member of the Children's Promise - a £30m appeal consisting of 6 Children's Charity led by M&S. This role was a huge learning curve for me at the time, a fantastic experience in an exceptional charity.

Specialised in the introduction of cause related marketing to Shelter, with a particular focus on youth brands. I led on new business. I continuously exceeded my targets and secured a number of large multi-year partnerships.

Full service marketing agency serving blue chip clients. My accounts included American Airlines, Nike, American Express and Paramount Pictures. Part of my role included organising the giant cheques and charity photo shoots - oh how far I've come...