about us

Hello and a big welcome to 117 Consulting

We know that your time is precious and that you want to focus on doing what you do best. So we are here to make sure that your fundraising is the best it can be.

From developing a strategy, mentoring staff or hands on support we have someone ready and willing to help you.

what we do

We specialises in supporting small to medium arts organisations and charities with their fundraising. We know from experience about the problems that you are facing, from pressure on resources to knowing where best to focus your limited time and energy to maximise returns.

The team at 117 Consulting has many years of experience, including:

  • Developing workable and do able strategies to grow income
  • Writing action plans which fit with your workload and resources
  • Submitting successful trust and grant applications which show off your work, values and ethos
  • Securing corporate sponsorship from local and national businesses
  • Developing long lasting relationships with individuals
  • Finding and working with major donors
  • Planning and delivering successful sporting events
  • Getting community fundraising right
  • Helping you to work with your Board to make sure that everyone ‘gets’ fundraising
  • Supporting you to grow your organisation

testimonials

Here’s just a few of the nice things people have said about 117 Consulting. It makes us really proud and we may even blush a little bit at some of the things our friends have said:

The Royal Exchange Theatre

“I really valued Helen’s input into fundraising and also the wider operation of the Royal Exchange Theatre. She brought practical and real experience with her and was very generous in sharing her knowledge with the team and the wider organisation. Helen has a very comprehensive overview of all fundraising streams and is keen to ensure that the fundraising function is embedded into the whole organisation. Above all Helen is really approachable and a pleasure to work with.”

Fiona Gasper / Executive Director

Music in the Round

“Working with Helen Jenkins has been informative, productive and inspiring. As a freelance consultant, she came in to write a fundraising strategy, but has done much more than that. She’s helped us understand our organisation better through her analysis of where we have done well in fundraising, and where we could do better. Her manner is professional, her questions insightful, and her strategy is clear and practical. Moving forward with Helen will help us implement the strategy, and hopefully achieve our fundraising targets in a fiercely competitive world.”

Deborah Chadbourn / Executive Director

Redeye – The Photographers Network

“The people at 117 Consulting have an uncanny ability to get to the heart of what we’re doing and come up with ideas and plans that hit the spot perfectly. They know the world of arts funding inside out. They’re endlessly easy-going and great to work with. They’ve greatly increased our turnover and success as an organisation. I’m a bit reluctant to recommend them as I’d like to keep them a secret – so do us a favour and use someone else (unless you insist on the best available).”

Paul Herrmann, Director of Redeye

The Bluecoat Arts Centre

“I would like to thank 117 Consulting for all the support that you have given to Bluecoat. 117 has provided a very professional service, delivering vital support to us at a time of transition in our fundraising. The incisive nature of your analysis and the speed with which you delivered a thoughtful and effective strategy was impressive, as were the detailed, comprehensive action plans. These allowed us to start work immediately. 117 supported us with recruitment and delivered top quality outcomes in a challenging environment. Further, during the time we were working together, 117 became a valued part of Bluecoat’s team and we really enjoyed working with Helen, Alison and Jane. 117 has delivered excellent work which has transformed our fundraising capacity.”

Mary Cloake, Chief Executive, Bluecoat, Liverpool

friends

117 Consulting was founded by Helen Jenkins in February 2010 after more than 15 years working in fundraising and income generation across the arts and charities. Helen loves to meet new people and organisations and share her skills and experience. Most of all, Helen loves to find the right solution – fundraising can be tough, but always remember to keep your cause at the heart of what you do and you can make it work.

Helen also works with friends and associates who she has built a relationship with and trusts – making sure that you have the best in the business all from one place.

  • Emma Parsons
  • Jane Higham
  • Alison Staples
  • Laura Baynham-Hughes

say hello

If you want to talk to us about your fundraising needs or even just say hello, please do contact Helen and she will get back to you as soon as possible.

helen.jenkins@117consulting.com

07989 071 595

Company number 7186665