Northern Ballet Theatre

In June 2005 David Dixon (working as Director of DixonRaines) was engaged by Mark Skipper, Chief Executive of Northern Ballet Theatre, to review NBT’s fundraising. Income from this source had fallen significantly following the end of a single key sponsorship relationship and Mark needed to know if the organisation was doing as well as it could do in a difficult market place or if it was under-performing. David was asked to identify any weaknesses and suggest improvements.

David and colleagues undertook interviews and research in the summer of 2005 and presented its findings to the Board in September. The conclusion was that the corporate sponsorship market was indeed difficult, but that more could be achieved in this area and in individual giving and trust fundraising. The appointment of an experienced Director of Fundraising at a higher level within the organisation was recommended and David also proposed strengthening NBT’s Board in relation to fundraising.

The Board accepted these recommendations and David and his colleagues were asked to help with the process of recruiting a Director of Fundraising, a task which was successfully achieved. They were also asked to actively pursue trust fund income whilst the new Director was recruited and raised significant income.

The key outcomes for NBT were:

• an assessment of NBT’s fundraising including identification of weaknesses, recommendations for
• improvements and the setting of potentially realistic targets by fundraising source
• recruitment of a new Director of Fundraising
• engagement with key trusts, leading in the short-term to £35,000 of new income and good longer-term relationships

Mark Skipper, the Chief Executive of Northern Ballet Theatre, said:

“They informed the way forward for fundraising at NBT with the result that we have made a very good appointment as Director of Fundraising and have re-established relationships with important trust funds. Their involvement with NBT was at a high level within the organisation and was very helpful and consistently professional.”