Fundraising Strategy for Down Syndrome Cork

In Sept 2021, 2into3 began working with Down Syndrome Cork, a branch of the national charity Down Syndrome Ireland. Down Syndrome Cork has over 400 members in Cork city and county and is governed by a parent-led committee. Down Syndrome Cork offers a range of therapies, courses, employment support and social events for members and their families.

The Context

The Field of Dreams Project is one of Down Syndrome Cork’s core projects. Set on a 3-acre site in Curraheen, Co. Cork, the Field of Dreams (in partnership with Munster Agricultural Society), provides opportunities for adults with Down Syndrome for ongoing learning and growth through a number of programmes. For members this means a life of greater independence, self-reliance and progress towards paid work.

With the Field of Dream firmly established, Down Syndrome Cork turned to 2into3 to support a fundraising campaign for development of its Speech and Language Therapy services. Down Syndrome Cork’s Speech and Language Therapy is targeted at providing treatment, support and care for children and adults with difficulties in communicating, as well as those with difficulties eating, drinking and swallowing.

Currently employing three speech and language therapists: one full time and two part time, Down Syndrome Cork aimed to stabilise and expand this crucial service over the next 3 to 5 years

field of dreams Down Syndrome Cork
field of dreams Down Syndrome Cork group photo
Down Syndrome Cork Field of dreams
Down Syndrome Cork day to day

The Action

2into3 worked closely with Down Syndrome Cork to develop a fundraising strategy for its latest fundraising effort. Already a successful fundraising organisation, 2into3 supported the organisation establish the level of funding needed to deliver an expanded Speech and Language Therapy service over a 5-year period and the funding model that would best optimise the organisation’s resources, competencies and ‘path of least resistance’ to fundraising success.

A huge emphasis was then placed on developing the messaging that Down Syndrome Cork could use in communicating with potential donors and stakeholders of the project. Once the narrative content for external communications for the campaign was in place, 2into3 assisted Down Syndrome Cork liaise with a graphic design company to further distil the messaging and to develop the graphical content for its case-for-support document.

The Result

Down Syndrome Cork left the process armed with a fundraising plan to support their next level of development with a special emphasis on corporate relationships. Creating an engaging case-for-support and telling Down Syndrome Cork’s story in a compelling manner gives corporate supporters a reason to get involved and give support in the form of donations, gifts-in-lieu and team volunteers.

Case for Support extract 2into3

Interested in Maximising your Organisation’s Fundraising?

Contact Rob Foley, Head of Fundraising Advisory Practice rob.foley@2into3.com or phone +353 (0)21 237 9882, mobile +353 (0)86 032 7935.

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