# Fundraising Initiatives Group chooses Battersea Dogs & Cats Home as first charity partner

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2013/07/16/fundraising-initiatives-group-chooses-battersea-dogs-amp-cats-home-first-charity-partner/
- Published: 2013-07-16T08:40:00+01:00
- Author: Howard Lake

Fundraising company The Fundraising Initiatives Group has announced its first charity
partnership. Over three years it will support [Battersea Dogs & Cats Home](http://www.battersea.org.uk/)
by providing £75,000 in donations, plus pro bono fundraising services worth at least
an additional £25,000.

Battersea is already a client of the group's subsidiary company Fundraising Initiatives
Ltd (FIL), which has been running its face-to-face fundraising activities for the
last three years. The group's ability to provide pro-bono fundraising support for
Battersea's events programme was part of the reason behind it choice of the animal
charity. With staff already fully trained in the cause, FIL expects to second staff
for free to major events like Battersea's Annual Reunion and Collars & Coats Gala
Ball.

## Why a CSR programme for a fundraising company?

## Advertisement

There was another reason behind the choice of charity and indeed in the decision
to set up a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative. Cathy Sullivan, founder
and CEO of the [Fundraising Initiatives Group](http://www.fundraising-initiatives.org/en/Group-Companies/),
said that she was inspired to support the charity by Claire Horton, Battersea's 
CEO.

"At Battersea’s gala ball" she said, "I heard Claire address the guests with an 
honest and heartfelt plea and I was both impressed and moved by her passion and 
openness about the desperate need to update antiquated Victorian facilities for 
thousands of dogs seeking a second chance at Battersea. These days there are few
CEOs in our sector that still actively fundraise and Claire convinced me."

She said: "We may not be a major blue chip but we are a professional fundraising
company and in a position to help charities in more ways than hard cash, we can 
also create a legacy of new donors that could stay with our charity partners for
many years to come.”

## Year one support

FIL will donate £25,000 this year to be used to create an outdoor garden space for
Battersea's dogs.

In addition, Fundraising Initiatives staff will get involved in in-house fundraising
and in joint activities with the charity.

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