As we reflect on the past twelve months at Cornucopia Fundraising, we’re excited to share our top highlights from a year partnering with world-changing charities.
1. Achieving Industry-Leading Retention Rates for our Charity Partners
According to the most recent Benchmarking Project Report, Cornucopia achieved the highest face-to-face fundraising retention rates in both New Zealand and Australia.
These rates, including 82.3% for Hato Hone St John in New Zealand and 74.2% for RFDS QLD in Australia, are a testament to the brilliant efforts of our exceptional fundraisers and our commitment to long-term impact.
2. Celebrating Ed Williams – PFRA Face-to-Face Fundraiser of the Year
This year, we congratulated Ed Williams for his sixth PFRA Face-to-Face Fundraiser of the Year award.
Ed’s journey has not been without its challenges, including unprecedented hurdles posed by the pandemic and extreme weather events. In the face ofthese difficulties, Ed has shown an unwavering commitment to his team, to the charities he serves, and to the donors he interacts with on a daily basis.
3. Welcoming New Charity Partners, Including RSPCA QLD, Greenpeace and Coastguard NZ
Cornucopia proudly welcomed new charity partners, including RSPCA QLD, Greenpeace, and Coastguard NZ.
The funds raised by Cornucopia Consultancy on behalf of these charities will contribute towards them achieving their critically important missions.
4. Starting an exciting new partnership in New Zealand
As part of our commitment to serving clients across the Australia/NZ region, Cornucopia recently joined forces with Telefund NZ, a Kiwi-based telephone fundraising agency.
Telefund NZ proudly serves over 50 charities, including prominent names such as Heart Foundation New Zealand, ChildFund New Zealand, Cancer Society Auckland & Bay of Plenty, Forest & Bird, and Leprosy Mission New Zealand.
5. Partnering with ChaplainWatch, Alex Makes Meals and Red Nose Day
Embracing our commitment to the local community, we joined forces with ChaplainWatch, supporting their mission to provide a compassionate presence in Brisbane’s entertainment districts. Our team’s active involvement in the Purple and White Ball helped raise crucial funds for ChaplainWatch’s vital work.
Down in Melbourne, Ross Howe and Liam Malcolm joined the fundraising team at Alex Makes Meals’ annual fundraising event, ‘Feast to Feed Victoria.’ The night resulted in over $25,000 raised, with numerous supporters making the commitment to give a regular gift throughout the year.
Finally, and aligning with our values, members of our Brisbane team volunteered their time for Red Nose Day, contributing their telephone fundraising skills to help support world-class research into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as well as life-saving education programs, and bereavement support services.
6. Raising funds for the World’s Greatest Shave, RFDS QLD Oceans to Outback and Movember
Celebrating the spirit of giving, Cornucopia’s Baden Ring, Rosa Kates and Mathew Hunt participated respectively in the World’s Greatest Shave for the Leukaemia Foundation, RFDS QLD’s running event Oceans to Outback and Movember for the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.
Baden, Rosa and Mathew’s dedication is a great example of our teams’ commitment to making a tangible impact on important causes that matter to them.
7. Launching a brand-new website
In our quest for continuous improvement, we launched a new website in 2023 to enhance our online presence and better connect with our supporters and partners, including a regular blog with updates from our team and partners across the charity sector.
8. Maintaining a strong presence in the fundraising industry
In 2023, Ross and Liam remained active board members of the PFRA in Australia and New Zealand, while Cornucopia continued its support of FIA as QLD State Sponsor, members of the Telefundraising Special Interest Group and with strong attendance at FIA events and national conference.
9. Providing charity experiences for staff
A number of Cornucopia staff where fortunate to go on a field trip to visit the birthplace of Bush Heritage in Tasmania, have a ride along with Coastguard NZ in Auckland and visit both the RSPCA and Royal Flying Doctors Operations in Queensland.
10. Developing new technology to support telefundraising
Cornucopia now offer self-service, real-time data suppressions allowing our clients’ supporter care teams to manage calling data 24/7. We also can integrate directly with their CRM, pushing new payments, and updating existing donors in as little as 15 minutes from a call being completed.
Thank you to every member of our team and all our charity partners for an incredible year. We’re excited to continue working together in the year to come to help make the world a better place in 2024.
