Database Consultancy Services Case Study

British Museum Fundraising Database Strategy

About The Charity

The British Museum holds in trust for the nation and the world a collection of art and antiquities from ancient and living cultures. The collection is one of the finest in existence, spanning two million years of human history. The Museum was established on the principle that the collection should be put to public use and be freely accessible, allowing human cultures – despite their differences - to understand one another through mutual engagement.

About The Project

The British Museum was in the process of linking up their various fundraisers and databases to help provide integrated approach to their various stakeholders. The Bristish Museum’s  Development Department engaged CTT to work with the British Museum Friends group to find the right database strategy for them.

What CTT Did

• Interviewed 20 members of staff from various departments: Friends, IT, Development and Finance.
• Analysed existing databases, standards, business plans and systems.
• Drew on our substantial knowledge of Raiser’s Edge – the existing BMDD database – and Microsoft Access.
• Defined a set of six alternative database strategies and evaluated them against a grid of criteria including, importantly, cost and risks.

The Result Of The Project

• Identified a clear strategy and an initial roadmap for moving the British Museum’s fundraising database strategy forwards.
• Provided an objective critique of a number of options with a detailed analytical basis.
• Made a clear recommendation based on our findings and experience.

www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk