Tender: Burgess Hill Community Centre Fundraiser

The Town Council has embarked upon an ambitious project to build a new community centre incorporating a performance space. The cost of this space is estimated to be between £6 million and £8 million. £5 million will be raised through an increase to the precept with the balance being covered by grants (including Section 106 funding) and a community fundraising campaign.

The Council seeks proposals from professional fundraisers or specialist fundraising organisations to raise funds for this project, which is presently at RIBA stage 1. The Council is keen to progress the project as quickly as possible and would like to split the tender into two phases:

1. Determine the feasibility of raising up to £3 million and indicate how long this would take. We invite a tender for a fixed price to produce a plan to direct this process with a Fundraising Group.

2. We invite you to tender to work with the Fundraising Group to raise said amount.

Information on what the new centre might look like can be viewed at http://www.burgesshill.gov.uk/sites/www.burgesshill.gov.uk/files/Venue_for_Burgess_Hill_Consultation_Workshop.pdf

In addition, professional advice on what would be the most effective governance structure for the collection and distribution of funds, together with the longer-term management of the venue is sought as part of the bid. Implications associated with any fundraising source on the long term management of the venue need to be identified where appropriate.

Tenders should provide evidence of your having successfully raised large sums for similar projects and provide a modus operandi to be followed.