Harlequin aids Lichfield Cathedral during Advent
Harlequin aids Lichfield Cathedral during busy Advent season
Lichfield Cathedral’s investment in Harlequin Software has delivered a centralised CRM & fundraising system that integrates information and maximises supporter relationships. During the busy Advent season, the system is offering tangible benefits.
Lichfield is the only medieval cathedral in the UK with three spires, representing the Holy Trinity, and is one of the oldest places of Christian worship in Britain. During their £3.7M appeal to save the East End of the cathedral, Harlequin was selected to help to take fundraising to the next level and transform the wider operational efficiency of the organisation.
Patricia Collins, Director of Fundraising, explains: “We needed a comprehensive and cost-effective system that would unite our disparate datasets so that everyone could access a single, shared view of cathedral life. We evaluated a range of solutions on functionality, value for money and ease-of-use and Harlequin came top.”
The cathedral uses Harlequin for both fundraising and operational management, Patricia Collins continues:
“Advent is our busiest time of the year with various activities in the cathedral – the system speeds up sending mailings and invitations and helps with event management.
“With Harlequin we can see the East End campaign building and the disparate elements now come together to build a complete picture.
“We also manage fundraising for choir tours, as well as grants, regular givers and legacies – and of course Gift Aid. We are beginning to manage our volunteers on the system, for instance those who help with Christmas events or carry out tours, as well as our regular attendees who undertake flower arranging and meet-and-greet duties. Recent staff changes mean this function will tend to be used more once they are trained on the system.”
Patricia Collins highlights that the key benefits of the software include a change in culture in relation to information and fundraising, improved efficiency and enhanced relationships. She says:
“We now work in a more uniform manner and follow certain processes to maintain our contacts. As the system is easy to use, and because we receive excellent support from the team at Harlequin, we feel confident about the software and are keen to use it as much as possible – this in turn improves fundraising and relationships with everyone involved with the cathedral.”
Tom Ellis, Managing Director at Harlequin, concludes: “We are delighted that yet another cathedral is making the most of Harlequin. At such a busy time as Advent, it is good to hear that the system is delivering tangible benefits and enhanced performance to the fundraising team.”
