On the National Register of Historic Vessels KJ, one of the last of the Brixham Sailing Trawlers, had a career spanning 50 years providing sailing experiences for disadvantaged young people from the London area. Her increasingly frail condition meant that she stopped operating in 2006 as no funds could be found to finish the major restoration project which had started in 2001.

Since her sinking in January 2009, and her subsequent refloat, the race was on to stop KJ deteriorating to a point beyond repair but it was soon apparent that the remedial efforts were the least of the problems.  “None of us had any real experience of fundraising” said Julia, “and in all honesty were completely unaware of the way modern charities operate.  We knew there would be little funding available to preserve traditional ships in full working order so from the outset we would have to get really creative if we were to save the vessel and ensure that our expectations were realistic.  Our main difficulty was that KJ’s community work could not start until she was seaworthy again.  It was this circular dilemma which nearly sank the project before it started”.

Only days after the handover of KJ to her new charity, Julia attended her first FSI course about raising money from Trusts and Foundations.  “It had taken me a while to pluck up the courage to get in touch – I thought there had to be a catch, no one offers that calibre of training and resources free of charge and until I walked through the door, into the Trusts and Foundations course, I was still waiting for a ‘catch’ to materialise”.

“The course content and the tutor were tremendously inspiring and very informative – I learned so much it hurt and have attended several other training courses since then.  Apart from the obvious benefits of first-class tuition from a first-class organisation, my association with FSI has totally changed the way I think about fundraising; they instilled in me the ability to look at old challenges in new ways and have taught me the importance of networking and background research.  On an organisational level KJHS now has the clarity of purpose to reorganise, reprise and re-stake KJ’s claim on posterity on behalf of her beneficiaries, present and future”.

Julia is adamant that if it wasn’t for the training and individual support she received from FSI, she would not have the focus, skills or confidence to undertake what will undoubtedly be a difficult, and sometimes gruelling, exercise. “The concept behind the FSI is nothing short of visionary – helping others to help others is a most worthy cause and I for one feel privileged to be counted among their many beneficiaries. 

Thank you FSI for all of you help.

JULIA BRAY, KENYA JACARANDA HERITAGE SAILING (KJHS)

For Pippa it was the start of a relationship that would see her attending FSI Training courses and gaining confidence in fundraising.

Two months after attending the Trust & Foundation course Pippa wrote to us:

“I could not wait to get back to work, following the course and to make some applications for funds, using the expertise I had picked up on the day. That alone was a gift because I do find it difficult to keep up enthusiasm for applications.

I wrote two applications in the two weeks following the course. I have heard this week that both of them have been successful!

I put the success down to the boost to my confidence which the course provided, I left feeling entitled to ask for funding rather than guilty for asking. That was a huge mind shift for me. The second reason for the success was the clarity and the detail which the course provided. 

When I did those two most recent applications I felt I had the necessary skills, rather than muddling through in a fog of uncertainty. Now I’ve got a new problem! How to thank you enough!”

It cost the FSI donors £170 to train Pippa on this course. Her fundraising wins just two months later amounted to £75,000. That’s an uplift we are incredibly proud of. Well done Pippa for your perseverance and determination.