Our purpose
We help small and medium charities and nonprofits flourish at a time when many are facing considerable challenge and change – a sharp drop in revenues resulting from the global pandemic, a lack of fundraising capacity and expertise, pressure to focus on the short term and tactical at the expense of the long term and strategic, often, too much effort expended for too little return. These are among the funding challenges we have the expertise to help you solve.
Dominic Tickell
Dominic co-founded Turnstone. An experienced fundraising strategist and practitioner, he recently led the project that restored the fortunes of the Charterhouse, opening that historic site to the public for the first time.
He understands that fundraising, when handled well, can be a catalyst for positive change.
Dominic began his career in theatre, in time becoming Director of the Royal Court Young People’s Theatre where he oversaw its Young Writer’s Festival. It was in this role that he first developed his skills as a fundraiser. He went on to lead fundraising at LAMDA, enabling its move to new premises. From there, he became the first Development Director at the University of Sussex, professionalising the function across the University. He then set up his own consultancy providing advice to clients, including the Charterhouse. This led to his role leading the regeneration project.
Fundraising is in Dominic’s blood – his family is full of people working in the charity sector.
Approach
We know how to create momentum for projects both large and small. We help organisations tell the right stories to make a compelling Case for Support. We build long term relationships with boards and teams, communities, partners and donors. We get the right people in the room, encouraging them to give, even when money’s tight. We are experienced at managing the change that fundraising can trigger, working shoulder to shoulder with our clients and never letting them down.
Income generation
You are facing a sharp drop in revenues as a result of the pandemic and need projects to create momentum quickly
Strategic reviews
Too much effort is being expended for too little return – you need a sustainable, longer term approach
Change management
You are looking for advice on succession planning and how change may impact in ways expected and unexpected
Capacity building
You lack fundraising capacity and expertise and need help putting infrastructure in place and recruiting the right people
Case for Support
You have a good ‘ask’ but want to clarify your proposition to donors in a way that appeals to head and heart
Services
1
Strategic planning
Be clear on your purpose, look for opportunities and find your project
2
Major donor fundraising
Aligning your charity with the right donors
More
Strategic planning
Case for support
Grant applications (National Lottery Heritage Fund)
PR & communications
Event management
More
Donor profiling
Donor stewardship
Members and Friends schemes
Founder donor schemes
3
Advice for boards and teams
We can be your critical friend providing truthful, constructive feedback
More
Board and team advice
Change management
Establishing a fundraising function
Mission statement and vision
Development boards
5
Advice for philanthropists
Navigating the how, why and what of giving
4
Face to face fundraising
Engaging with supporters – existing and new – in a compelling way
More
Hands on support
Campaigns
Explaining the Ask
Support for board members and staff
Making the Ask
More
Donation strategy
Making initial contact with causes
Charity effectiveness research
Donation efficacy follow up
What our clients say
Turnstone were a joy to deal with. Their work in examining a range of income generation opportunities for Gresham College was focused, imaginative and insightful. They also came with the advantage of a wide variety of contacts which enabled them to tap into high levels of expertise. I recommend Turnstone as highly effective consultants in their field.
Dr Wendy Piatt
CEO, Gresham College
Experience
Dominic's sector experience is diverse and includes heritage, the arts, and the emergency services. The following are examples of the projects he undertook prior to forming Turnstone.
The Charterhouse
Revealing one of London’s historical jewels
The Charterhouse is a former Carthusian monastery in the heart of London, now an almshouse under the guidance of a charitable foundation. With no history of fundraising and old-fashioned governance, its situation was precarious.
Dominic conceived and successfully oversaw the £4.2m project to establish the Charterhouse as a London visitor destination by creating a museum and learning centre and opening up the private garden square. We identified potential donors and created a compelling case for support. A partnership with the Museum of London brought in much needed expertise. A programme of tailored events helped us build relationships with key donors.
The Governors, the Brothers and local stakeholders were consulted at every stage of development.The museum was officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh on 2 March 2017. It continues to attract visitors, as well as hosting events, film and photography shoots and is in good shape for the years to come.
Sector
Heritage/Elderly Care/Accommodation for
those in need
Scope
Strategic planning
Board and team advice
Change management
Case for Support
Donor profiling
Grant applications
National Lottery Heritage Fund
Founder donor scheme
PR & Communications
Event management
Associated services
Turnstone work with a number of professional service partners
including recruitment, accountancy and corporate communications.
Julian Marczak
Head of Member Services for the Almshouse Association. Previously head of property for The Charterhouse. Julian is President of the Association of British Riding Schools and an accomplished composer. He was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Society of Arts in 2021.
Perdita Hunt OBE, DL
Arts, Heritage and Leadership Consultant, a deputy Lieutenant for Surrey, Specialist Advisor for the National Trust, Board member of the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Trustee of the Foundling Museum and Baynards Zambia Trust and until recently, Director of Watts Gallery Trust.