SNN_August 2020 Issue FA_low res

NEW ZEALAND SPINAL TRUST 32
Introducing our team
Q and A with Su Marshall on the Fundraiser’s role
Su Marshall is not the sort of person who sits
down for long. She is always up and about
and looking for the next opportunity. The
born-and-bred Cantabrian, with her “glass
half-full” perspective, is the ideal person to
be looking for prospects in a time of crisis.
Su became the most recent addition to the
New Zealand Spinal Trust team. She began
working as the National Fund-raising
Manager in February but, just weeks later,
COVID-19 hit the world and New Zealand.
We spoke with Su about her background, her
passion for making a difference, and how she
plans to create a sustainable funding model
for the New Zealand Spinal Trust (NZST).
Tell me about your background in fund-raising/
sponsorship
I began fund-raising 15 years ago after a work colleague
suggested I should do it. I worked as a consultant for 12
years for various clients, including the Christchurch City
Mission, Hohepa Canterbury, Pillars and Seabrook
McKenzie. I also worked on capital campaigns for
Christchurch Cathedral, Clutha Rec Centre, Methven
Heritage Centre and Isaac Theatre Royal. So, I have built
up a broad range of fund-raising skills and experience and
I had phenomenal mentors in Joy Simpson and Graeme
Brady. I then went on to be National Grants Manager for
the SPCA for two years, when they moved to a single
organisation model. And now I’m at the NZST.
What was the appeal about coming to work at the NZST?
Initially, it was Hans… I’d met Hans through the Funding
Institute of New Zealand (FINZ) meetings, and he is such
a lovely, genuine guy that I knew the organisation would
likely be awesome. After reading the job advert, the role,
itself, sounded like a great challenge to sink my teeth into.
I kept thinking of ways to build the fund-raising. And
then, when I got the job and met the team, I absolutely
knew I was supposed to be here. Everyone is so passionate
about what they do, and they are all so kind, and
supportive and funny … they are my kind of people.
What have been some of your biggest learnings about
the organisation so far?
Coming to grips with SCI and what that entails for
day-to-day living has been a biggie. Everyone’s journey is
so unique and personal, that it’s important our team has
the freedom to respond to individual needs.
Su Marshall has set her sights on creating a sustainable
funding model for the NZST.
And I’ve been meeting and getting to know our donors
– the recent appeal and an upcoming database update
have seen me diving into the Donor records and
connecting with those who support the NZST. I keep
saying we have a passionate team, but that passion
extends beyond the office – we have some extraordinarily
passionate supporters as well.
What have been some of the standout moments so far?
The response to the COVID-19 lockdown and aftermath.
The whole team just went “Right – let’s do this” and
worked out a way to make it work. And the response from
our amazing supporters when we went out to ask for help.
People were so generous, even when they may have been
facing an uncertain time themselves … that kind of
support shows how much the NZST’s work is appreciated
by our community and that feels so good.
COVID-19 hit soon after you started and has obviously
created some big challenges?
We’ve had a few of our generous funders ‘shut up shop’
completely during the lockdown – gaming trusts were not
receiving any income, so they could not give out grants.
And this has caused a major speed bump in our
fundraising. We are heavily reliant on fundraising to
cover our operating costs … in the current budget
approximately 80 percent of the Trust’s income is
through fundraising initiatives.