Médecins Sans Frontières UK Case Study

Fundraising data system review

About the organisation

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, pandemics, natural disasters and exclusion from healthcare. They offer assistance to people based on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation. They provide medical care to help people survive catastrophic situations, where communities and health structures may be overwhelmed.

The challenge

Adapta has helped MSF with a number of projects to support the fundraising teams. MSF relies substantially on individual donors to support its work and had achieved a substantial increase in the supporter base, including a significant number of new donors recruited online. Staff had developed the fundraising systems with associated outsourced providers to meet the changing needs and asked Adapta to help with a review with the aim of streamlining the processes and rationalising the data flows while also ensuring disaster recovery and business continuity.

Adapta support

We have carried out various engagements with MSF, including reviewing processes and help with systems requirements and selection. We are familiar with MSF’s culture and values, as well as with key staff in the organisation. Each engagement has involved reviewing background information, holding meetings with staff and suppliers as appropriate, producing reports, documentation and plans, and discussing findings and recommendations with MSF throughout. In gathering findings, we engaged with staff and discussed current activities and future aspirations as well as challenges, risks and concerns. The meetings and workshops ensured that staff were able to contribute to the outcomes as well as understand the next steps from an organisational and individual team perspective. We produced practical reports, including descriptions of the resulting projects and dependencies, together with workable plans.

Médecins Sans Frontières UK
James Kliffen
Head of Fundraising

"Thank you for all your advice over the last 3 years. You have had a huge influence in our fundraising, and I would enthusiastically recommend you to other charities (and often have)."

What our clients say

Rebecca Pritchard
Former Director of Operations, Crisis

"Adapta have been honest and realistic with us throughout. They are clear where they can add value and where we can do things on our own – so it feels like a partnership..."

James Kliffen
Head of Fundraising, MSF UK

"You have had a huge influence in our fundraising, and I would enthusiastically recommend you to other charities (and often have)..."

Phil Durbin
Former Head of Corporate Systems, Salvation Army

"Unlike many consultants, Adapta won’t tell you what you expect to hear. They will be very honest and challenging and, even if some of what they say is uncomfortable to hear, it means you end up getting better advice."

Dawn Varley
Operations & Strategy Director, Badger Trust

"I knew I could task them with my problem, and leave them to undertake the work in a professional yet friendly way, bringing their expertise and experience to the project…"

Iain McSeveney
Finance Director, Medical Aid for Palestinians

"I’m very pleased with the professional way that Adapta managed the project for the selection of MAP’s new accounting software. It was obvious that they have great experience in the charity sector and on the range of suitable accounting software currently on the market..."

Rachel Rand
Strategic Director - Finance and Corporate Services, NCB

"I would not embark on any IT project without first meeting with Adapta to understand how they feel they could support me. I have found their guidance and practical support invaluable…"

Rosalba Leonelli
Head of Finance, Client Earth

"Thank you to you and your team for developing and facilitating an excellent workshop. You fully understood our needs which were evident in the workshop structure and content…"

Clients

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