Claire Knapton

Experience

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  Cancer Research UK

  Feb 1993 - Feb 1995

  Corporate Fundraiser

  Cancer Research Campaign merged in 2002 to become the world’s largest volunteer supported cancer research organisation, Cancer Research UK. When I joined in 1993, corporate fundraising was in its infancy and Cancer Research Campaign was a pioneer in developing joint fundraising initiatives with high profile companies.My remit involved developing employee fundraising, managing corporate competitions, administering the trust funding portfolio and developing payroll giving, in particular:• Identifying corporate supporters, devising appropriate strategies and presenting sponsorship proposals to companies such as Barclays, Hill Samuel Asset Management and PPP Healthcare• Designing and overseeing employee fundraising programmes for national companies including Boots, WH Smith and Resort Hotels• Managing corporate competitions, including negotiating sponsorship, recruiting teams, and event logistics• Overseeing the trust fundraising portfolio of £500,000 per year, including database management, supporter liaison and arranging visits Show less

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  One Small Step

  Feb 1995 - Jan 1996

  Events Manager

  One Small Step raised money for children with disabilities and established the Strollerthon, then Europe's biggest sponsored walk sponsored by Cadbury's. I had joint responsibility for event logistics, maximising income opportunities, merchandising and volunteer recruitment.

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  Zoological Society of London

  Jan 1996 - Jan 1999

  Fundraising Manager

  Working with the Director General and a fundraising consultant, I co-managed the restructuring of London Zoo's Development Office to cover all non-statutory fundraising for ZSL's conservation programmes and capital projects. This involved working with senior executives to establish and implement a fundraising strategy, generating income through sponsorship and donations, and recruiting and servicing an executive appeal body.Achievements:- Raised £400,000 in new income within the first year of central coordination- Directed a £1.5m capital appeal to match lottery funding from the Millennium Awards- Secured £556,500 from the Community Fund's international programme- Built a lucrative portfolio of corporate fundraising and arranged high profile fundraising events Show less

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  FPA (Family Planning Association UK), sexual health charity.

  Jan 1999 - Jan 2001

  Fundraising Manager

  When I joined the charity had not undertaken any fundraising for five years, relying on statutory sources to pay for core services. Voluntary income was required for projects outside the scope of statutory funding. This gave me the opportunity to review the charity's donor-base, its position in the marketplace and income generation potential, and produce a 3-year fundraising strategy. Achievements:- Voluntary contributions increased by 300% in Year 1, raising £750,000- Wrote two successful lottery applications, raising £387,000- Developed a successful trust fundraising programme with an average donation of £25,000- Secured sponsorship for professional events from pharmaceutical companies Show less

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  Voluntary Sector Solutions

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2004

  Fundraising Consultant

  I established myself as a freelance fundraiser, securing contracts that involved writing fundraising strategies, submitting funding applications, organising events and designing promotional materials. Major clients included: • Working with TreeHouse to increase revenue fundraising and plan a capital appeal• Writing fundraising applications for the Central London Branch of the Samaritans to raise income for refurbishments to their building • Researching support for a £4.5m appeal for an Asian elephant centre at Woburn Safari Park Show less

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  Ambitious about Autism

  Jan 2004 - Jun 2010

  Senior Fundraising Manager

  Formerly known as TreeHouse, Ambitious About Autism is an autism education charity. I was invited to join the charity full time to help manage the fundraising team and coordinate a capital appeal for £11.5 million. I worked with the Director of Fundraising to build a dynamic fundraising department from a team of two to 13, built up the trust fundraising portfolio to a level where there were three dedicated trust fundraisers, and I co-managed an £11.5 million capital appeal. Achievements:- Developing outstanding fundraising practices to ensure the charity achieved high levels of recognition from donors- Consistently reaching ambitious revenue targets- Inspiring donors to support a capital building programme Show less

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  Rustic Puglia

  Oct 2008 - now

  Co-Owner
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  Voluntary Sector Solutions

  Mar 2015 - Jan 2022

  Freelance Fundraising and Prospect Research

  I'm a successful fundraising professional working with not-for-profits on devising strategies, prospect research, revenue and capital funding bids, writing reports and designing materials.Clients include:Adopt a Better Wayreviewing case for supportAmbitious About Autismprospect research & bid writing for revenue & capital projectsBritish Shalom Salaam Trustresearch & recommendations on increasing voluntary incomeCamberwell Fairapplying for annual funding from local grantsCancer Unitedwriting a detailed case for support for a capital appealCommunity Development Association for Ethnic Minoritiesapplying for funding towards core activities DKMScontinued support providing trust & lottery fundraisingFreedom Community Projectongoing fundraising supportHatch Enterprisewriting bids to grant makers Havens Hospicesprospect research & applications to support a capital appealLearning Unlimitedprospect research and applications to trust & lottery grantsLeeFestprospect researchLindsay Leg Clubsupport in writing a business planMarine Connectionprospect research & trust fundraising Mathematics in Education & Industryprospect researchMumsAidwriting funding bidSamaritanstrust & lottery applications for capital improvementsSmall Steps Projectprospect research & trust fundraisingTeam Upprospect research & writing bidsThe Advocacy Academyprospect research & writing bidsThe Bike Projectwriting applications & reports to fundersThe Foldinterim Operations DirectorUK Bangladesh Education Trustongoing fundraising and communications supportWintercomfort for the Homelessprospect research & bid writingWoburn Safari Parkprospect research & fundraising supportYHAsubmitting lottery applications Show less

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  The Fold

  Mar 2019 - Sept 2019

  Interim Operations Director

  Six month contract to coordinate and support the effective smooth running and development of the Fold CIC in terms of leadership and management, planning, monitoring and evaluation, finances, staff, customers, site and environment. Oversaw management of the organic farm, care farm, cafe, farm shop, therapy centre, site and facilities, finance, marketing and events. Developed business plan and made recommendations for growth, financial independence and impact.

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  Olive Leaf

  Jun 2023 - now

  Founder