Alban, Britain’s First Saint: Telling the Whole Story
FUNDRAISING CONSULTANCY SERVICES - INVITATION TO TENDER
Heritage Lottery Fund – Heritage Grants Programme (Development Stage)
March 2014
A) SUMMARY
St Albans Cathedral wishes to appoint a Fundraising Consultant/Consultancy to provide strategic
fundraising support. Working in conjunction with the Cathedral’s Development Office, the
objective is to secure £3 million in donations and pledges to make a successful round 2
Development Stage application to the Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) under the Heritage Grants
Programme.
St Albans Cathedral submitted a round 1 application in December 2013 and is intending to submit
a round 2 application in April 2016 following a two year development phase.
B) BACKGROUND
‘Alban, Britain’s First Saint: Telling the Whole Story’ is a major project which will reveal the unique
importance of Alban and St Albans Cathedral to large new audiences. Combining focused
conservation work, new interpretation, an inspiring programme of activity, and capital works to
create new welcome and learning spaces and improved physical access, it will deliver eight key
outcomes:
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A national profile for Saint Alban and St Albans Cathedral;
A richer visitor experience and increased levels of engagement through new interpretation
and activities supported by better facilities;
An increase in the number and diversity of visitors to the Cathedral from 160,000 per year
to 220,000 in five years and to 300,000 in the five years beyond, delivering the St Albans
Visitor Economy Strategy;
The complete conservation and restoration of the shrine of Amphibalus helping visitors
understand the origins of the Alban story;
New opportunities for individuals to volunteer and learn new skills;
New high quality learning opportunities for children, adults, informal learners and scholars
through improved learning spaces and activities;
A stronger relationship between the Cathedral and the local community by making the
Cathedral attractive and open to all; and
Increased sustainability, both financial and environmental.
C) AREA AND SCOPE OF WORK
The Fundraising Consultant(s) are required to research, develop and deliver the Cathedral’s
fundraising strategy in conjunction with the Cathedral’s Development Office which comprises two
part-time Development Managers (equivalent to one full time member of staff) and a part time
Development Administrator.
The consultant will be expected to provide strategic advice and support to enable the Cathedral to
raise £3 million in two years. This will include:
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successfully launching the fundraising campaign, launching different stages of the
campaign and maintaining campaign momentum;
training and mentoring members of the Alban Appeal Council (the key fundraising board),
the Cathedral Chapter and other volunteers to secure major gifts;
identifying and supporting delivery of other fund raising /sponsorship opportunities;
identifying previously untapped sources of income;
designing and delivering a fundraising communications plan to keep all donors and
sponsors in touch with the project and to attract new donors;
Provide reports and information on fundraising to the Campaign Council, the Project
Board, Cathedral Chapter and the HLF as required.
D) RESPONSIBILITIES
The Fundraising Consultant will be responsible for the areas outlined within this brief. They will be
expected to work in close liaison with the Project Board, the Project Team, Chapter, staff and
volunteers, the Friends of St Albans Abbey, Cathedral Trusts, the HLF and other external
stakeholders and potential partners in addition to the Development Office.
E) TIMESCALES
The consultant will support the development phase of the project which will commence in April
2014 and end in April 2016, when a round 2 HLF application will be submitted. The final stages of
the campaign will continue until August 2016 when a round 2 pass may be awarded.
There will be break clauses in the contract for this work as follows:
- When the project reaches RIBA stage C and HLF review the viability of the project
- April 2016 on submission of the round 2 HLF bid
The contract will end in August 2016, although there may be an option for an extension of 6
months to 1 year should the Round 2 bid be successful.
F) TENDER INFORMATION
1. Summary of Essential Consultant Skills/Experience Required
As part of the tender process applicants are expected to have the following experience:
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A thorough understanding of capital fundraising in a heritage context;
Experience of working with the Heritage Lottery Fund on multi million pound projects;
A proven track record of working with an existing in-house fundraising function;
A proven track record of raising funds on this scale;
Experience of working as part of a team on complex heritage development projects;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
Excellent organisational, time-management and project-management skills;
Enthusiasm for the project and flexibility in approach;
A proven track record of working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Fundraising Consultancy Services - Invitation to Tender
Alban, Britain’s First Saint: Telling the Whole Story
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St Albans Cathedral March 2014
2. What to include in your tender response
- Details of relevant experience drawing on the expected skills above;
- A recommendation as to how the Cathedral’s Development Office can most effectively
work with the Fundraising Consultant;
- An overview of your fundraising strategy and methodology;
- An indication of any potential challenges you feel the Cathedral could face in achieving its
£3m fundraising target;
- Details of the individual consultant/s who would support this project including relevant
experience;
- Details of two referees;
- A fixed fee proposal (including a breakdown by team member and time).
2. Tender Instructions
Tender Proposals must be submitted in a plain envelope labelled only with the address below and
clearly marked ‘Tender Proposal; Campaign Fundraising Services’. No other marks or wording
which might indicate the identity of the sender shall appear on the envelope containing the
tender. The tender is to be addressed to:
Development Manager
Cathedral and Abbey Church of St Alban
Sumpter Yard
St Albans
AL1 1BY
Tel: 01727 890229
During the tender period, should the tenderer wish to present questions or seek clarification on
any information contained within the tender enquiry pack, requests will be considered by email
via the Development Office at do@stalbanscathedral.org.
Your submission should reach St Albans Cathedral no later than end of Monday 7th April.
Please note that if you are selected we will be holding interviews between 9th and 16th April.
3. Contract Award Criteria
The Contract Award criteria will be based on:
a. Quality of experience of team / lead person, through assessment of the individual
experiences of the nominated team, their understanding of fundraising in a heritage
environment and previous project / HLF / ecclesiastical experience;
b. Methodology for undertaking role and securing fundraising target;
c. Price.
The Cathedral does not bind itself to accept the lowest or any tender.
4. Supporting Documents:
Summary case for support
Proposed fundraising strategy and timetable
Fundraising Consultancy Services - Invitation to Tender
Alban, Britain’s First Saint: Telling the Whole Story
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St Albans Cathedral March 2014