Clients Testimonials
Factory International- Home of Manchester International Festival
Marla Cunningham worked with Factory International during a crucial period of growth and change, as we developed from a biennial festival into a year-round producing organisation with our own venue, Aviva Studios. Marla worked hard to transform our fundraising operation to match these new opportunities, designing a range of new initiatives to attract donors, and working closely with the capital fundraising team to translate the potential of the venue into long-term sources of income. We have benefited considerably from her strategic and pragmatic skills.- John McGrath, Artistic Director and CEO, Factory International
Gordon Moody Association
“Marla and the team at Esmy fundraising are a pleasure to work with. Before writing applications, they take the time to understand your strategy, aims and objectives as well as operational delivery, which can sometimes be tricky for others to grasps, but crucial if applications are to be a success. Time is planned effectively and they are able to react to changing demands effectively. Emsy Fundraising felt like part of the team, rather than an external source of support and they took the pressure off what can often be a time and resource intensive scope of work. I’d recommend them to anyone!”- Monica Shafaq, Chief Executive
Alder Hey Children’s Charity
“Marla worked with Alder Hey Children’s Charity to support our 7 in 10 Mental Health Appeal, which is a capital appeal to raise £3m for a new Mental Health hub at Alder Hey. Marla’s work with us came at a time when the charity team was heavily focussed on an emergency COVID-19 appeal, and through the support Marla provided we were able to continue the planning and development of our capital appeal, whilst in parallel fundraising for our ongoing emergency appeal. Marla helped us with two key aspects of the campaign, the development of a robust prospect list for the appeal and the development of our case for support.” -John Armstrong, Director of Philanthropy
Barnardos
Marla and her team helped us with our Gap Home Project. Her experience and leadership really helped us move this innovative capital fundraising project forward. What I found especially helpful is her expertise, drive and deep knowledge of the sector. Thank you Emsy Fundraising, we couldn’t do it without you.- Michael Winehouse, Senior Philanthropy Manager
Production Services Association
"Exceptional circumstances but with a £3K investment we got an £18 million return."
“We were that far apart, Arts Council funding was over there and our industry was at the opposite side of the room so we had to meet somewhere in the middle. Marla got herself an understanding of us, and we got ourselves an understanding of how Marla needed to work. That was how it succeeded.
We had to listen to Marla and Marla had to listen to us. It was a real journey of learning.” - Andy Lenthall, Manager, Production Services Association
Natural History Museum
“The Project is progressing well – we finally heard back from the funder you supported on our behalf just last week and we got the full £100k!!! So big thanks for that Marla!!! – Jennifer Francis, Natural History Museum
Girlguiding UK
“We appreciate all the work that you did in helping the Digital Team get this over the line when it had come to us so late in the year - and we’re excited to use your recommendations to start work on the fundraising element. Due to our ever growing and ever warming pipeline, we’re looking to continue to grow the trusts team to ensure we can see through as many of these leads as possible - so the legacy of Emsy at Girlguiding continues”- Chloe Allen, Fundraising Manager