The Centre for Applied Medical Research, Universidad de Navarra (CIMA) is a pioneering biomedical research centre dedicated to advancing the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases such as cancer, liver and heart conditions, as well as rare diseases. Through cutting-edge scientific research and close collaboration with clinicians, CIMA strives to translate scientific discoveries into real medical solutions that improve patients’ lives.
CIMA needed to strengthen its major donor fundraising while going through a database wealth screening and recruiting a new Director of Fundraising to lead the work. This required close collaboration between Upsall International´s Consulting Team to design and test the fundraising approach, and our Recruitment Team, to secure the right talent to lead the programme once in place.
Over 6 months, we partnered with CIMA to deliver a hands-on, interactive approach, providing actionable recommendations tailored to their goals and resources. Our Consulting Team led strategy development, a feasibility study, top line database review, and high value stakeholder engagement, ensuring every initiative was aligned with CIMA’s priorities.
At the same time, our Recruitment Team conducted an extensive Full Search for a Fundraising Director, enabling a seamless transition for the new leader to drive the strategies forward. By closely coordinating consulting and recruitment efforts, we defined the ideal candidate, someone with seniority, experience, and the innovative mindset needed to navigate the complex fields of medicine, health, and scientific research. This integrated approach positioned CIMA for sustainable, long-term success in major donor fundraising.
Upsall International delivered a comprehensive major gift strategy that provided CIMA with a clear roadmap to enhance fundraising outcomes. It included an initial assessment of financial potential, tested the feasibility of doubling their current income over 3–5 years, and identified the most effective approach to major giving. The process successfully engaged and energised existing donors, incorporated stakeholder feedback to foster trust and involvement, highlighted organisational weaknesses, and produced a compelling case statement with stronger messaging.
All of this unfolded alongside the successful recruitment of the Fundraising Director, who has spent the past 3 years driving CIMA’s fundraising and turning the strategy presented to leadership into tangible results.
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