University of Oxford*

Client: University of Oxford Development Office
Overview: University of Oxford’s Oxford Thinking campaign seeks to build and steward relationships with philanthropists and supporters to fund research, student bursaries and University infrastructure.
Role: Writer and designer of philanthropic proposals, cases for support and donor reports; philanthropic marketing campaigns. Later freelance consultant.
Brief, aims and outcome:  Working within brand guidelines I created philanthropic proposals (case-for-support documents) for overseas government officials, high-net worth individuals and large corporations; efficacy reports for stakeholders often ‘translating’ academic reports for lay supporters. The University’s Oxford Thinking campaign had emphasised the University’s prestigious history – my approach was to research into recipients and tailor each proposal’s focus to appeal to their interests and aspirations. Visually, I swapped clichéd images of punts and architecture for images that communicated commonality of purpose.

Wallenburg Foundation donor report

Brief, aims and outcomes: report to funder The Wallenburg Foundation to report on project development and achievements to encourage on-going relationship and further funding support. The content emphasises the partnership and importance of both partners.

 

 

“Kate combines excellent design skills with great copy-writing ability. She is a clear strategic thinker, able to negotiate complex projects and produce outstanding results on time and on budget.” Sophie Hiscock, Head of Campaign Communications

“Kate’s work is always first-rate – well-crafted, engaging and effective. She has a quick and thorough grasp of the needs of a project, and fulfils the brief with timely competence and a creative flair that makes it more compelling.” Chris Floyd, Senior Proposals Officer

Bodleian Libraries' case-for-support for conservation funding

Brief, aims and outcome: Eight-page A5 brochure; specific funding campaign to conserve rare Elizabethan tapestries. Successfully gained donations from JP Getty Jr Charitable Trust and the Drapers' Charitable Fund amongst others. 

Bodleian Libraries, conservation, tapestry, fund raising"I wanted to let you know that they loved the proposal you did. In fact the comment was that it was one of the best written proposals they had ever received.” Lois Hargrave, Senior Campaign Executive, Bodleian Libraries

Oxford Thinking annual appeal*

Role: Freelance consultant

Brief, aim and outcomes:  Each year the Development mails a fundraising appeal to 180,000 alumni worldwide. The audience is segmented, mailed with different calls to action and response mechanisms but with minor differences in the mailing leaflet. Response analysis was used to steer the message for this annual appeal – recipeints response to my design one year before was 41% up on the previous years and doubled the amount of donors.

Oxford University, fundraising 2012, 2013

Kate is an absolute joy to work with. This is the second year that we have worked with her on our Annual Appeal, which involves complex segmentation and a large number of stakeholders. Kate is patient, flexible, and always has a solution to a problem. Her expertise in design, print and creative writing are exemplary. Kate’s ability to take a project brief and turn it into an outstanding piece of work really does make big projects easier – and more fun! I cannot recommend Kate highly enough. 
Becki Mckinlay, Head of Individual Giving, University of Oxford Development Office