EUConsult Information Service
2007 November
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Member Profiles
Mary O’Kennedy, O’Kennedy Consulting
Position: Independent Consultant
Company: O’Kennedy Consulting
E-mail: mary(at)okennedyconsulting.ie
Web: www.okennedyconsulting.ie
FACT FILE
- Date business started: March 2002
- Main business areas: Overall fundraising strategy and major gift fundraising
- Number of consultancy staff: 1
- Countries of operation: mainly Ireland, but also UK, Asia and South Africa on occasion
THE BUSINESS
What range of clients do you serve?
I’m working across the board in the sector, with charities and organisations in the educational, health, religious, overseas aid and cultural fields.
How has your business evolved since it was started?
I started off with just one client. This moved on to supporting two or three clients on a regular basis. The business has now evolved into my playing a more advisory role, giving advice on overall fundraising strategy with about eight or nine projects ongoing at the present time. Over the last few years I have built up a lot of links with associates, so that I can provide my clients with services in areas of expertise that I don’t offer, such as direct mail or face to face fundraising.
Where will your consultancy be in a few years time?
I really like being hands-on, so I don’t want to grow the business to be too large and then have to spend a lot of time managing the company. However, I may consider converting from sole-trader status to company status in the near future as the business has grown substantially. I will then work with a small number of consultants grouped together under the umbrella of O’Kennedy Consulting. The area of consultancy that I am working in – strategy and major gifts – takes up a lot of personal time, so it would be good to have colleagues to share the load with.
Which opportunities and threats do you see for your work in the sector and for the development of NPOs?
It is a really interesting time for the sector in Ireland right now. We are about to introduce charity regulation and a code of conduct for fundraising has been drafted. The Irish government is due to pass the new charity law next year and the draft statement of General Principles for Fundraising is available on www.ictr.ie. The new regulations are a concern for some organisations in respect of the legal requirements, especially for small organisations. But on the other hand many view these developments as a great opportunity for the sector in terms of increasing donor confidence.
Another issue that is being discussed at the moment is the large number of international charities, with massive budgets, who are currently entering the Irish market. Many local charities are worried about the competition this causes. Of course, on the other hand, this represents a major opportunity for Irish consultants, as organisations are being forced to professionalise and consider using consultancy services.
As Chair of Fundraising Ireland (www.fundraisingireland.ie) I am lucky enough to be at the centre of developments in fundraising and play a part in moving the agenda forward.
Another opportunity for fundraisers is the new website that is due to be launched called Funding Point, which will be similar to Grant Tracker.
Can you recommend any sources of information that you find useful in your business
See www.fundraisingireland.ie for sources, further information and special interest groups.
EUCONSULT MEMBERSHIP
Why did you join EUConsult?
I joined EU Consult after initial discussion with existing members which convinced me that there were benefits to being part of a European-wide organisation.
With which other EUConsult members have you found the opportunity to cooperate on projects?
I have worked with Brakeley and Fundraising Initiatives and also had preliminary discussion regarding projects with other members. I have also encouraged other members to assist in the development of the sector in Ireland – for example, Daryl Upsall speaking at the recent Fundraising Ireland event.
BACKGROUND INFO
Where and what did you study?
I studied English and Spanish at University College Dublin, followed by Law at the Honourable Society of the Kings Inns in Dublin.
How did you first get involved in NPO consultancy?
I was working as a Senior Development Officer with Dublin City University Educational Trust and was approached by the consultancy firm CCS to take up a position as one of the ‘Executive Directors’ (Fundraising Consultants). From there I set up my own consultancy in 2002.
What interests you most about staying in the field?
The sector is developing dramatically in Ireland at the moment and NPOs are gearing themselves to be able to cope with the new Regulation being introduced, thus needing expert advice and guidance to ensure they are complying and following best practice. The diversity of working with various organisations across various fields has also always been a huge draw for me in staying in consultancy.
What do you do to relax and forget your consultancy work?
Enjoying evenings out with friends, the theatre, long-weekends in the country and walking the dogs with my husband!
