LarkOwl helps non profits to become more sustainable.
LarkOwl helps non profits to become more sustainable.
We see the challenges faced by charities and the difficult decisions leaders have to make on a daily basis.
We specialise in high value fundraising (trusts, major gifts and capital appeals) and business development (commercial income) and deliver our work through one on one consultancy.
Our experience spans many sectors and we can demonstrate a track record in health, homelessness, arts and hospices.
"We are confident that the direction set by Tony and Caroline gives us what we need to sustain our work over the long term. Working with them was most insightful. They were a pleasure to work with."
Exeter Historic Buildings Trust
Tony Richardson
Tony is a management consultant with experience in charities and non-profit organisations.
Prior to taking the leap into the non-profit world, he sharpened his skills in the retail, catering and hospitality sectors In a moment of optimism he 'squeezed in' setting up a micro-brewery
He has managed teams and is an expert in leadership and coaching. He believes that anyone can master a P&L with the right tools, an achievable budget and a supportive and nurturing environment. Tony has designed and delivered customer service training packages for multiple hospitality businesses (both for-profit and non-profit).
Tony has specific expertise in coaching, training and working with leadership teams to devise new strategies to help their charities become fit for the future, productive, streamlined and effective.
In recent years, Tony has developed organisational strategies, staff training programmes and business plans for Westbank, Age UK Croydon, Dillington House, Bovey Tracey Paradiso Arts, Exeter Historic Buildings Trust, the Buckfastleigh Trust, Occombe Farm and the Lyme Regis Development Trust.
Prior to this, Tony spent nine years at the National Trust supporting catering businesses at properties across the South West. As well as ensuring the profitability of each of these businesses, Tony supported operational managers to produce and deliver budgets and to develop bespoke training for teams.
In the heritage and environment sector, Tony works across disciplines, managing the experience of visitors whilst ensuring the protection of built and natural heritage. He is experienced in developing new streams of commercial income and new businesses at new sites.
Tony has previously served as trustee for Hearts Together and is a mentor for the Prince's Trust.
When free time permits, he puts his energies into freediving, scuba, mountain biking, climbing, coffee roasting, putting his carpentry skills to work in our house and garden and all aspects of being a Dad.
Email tony@larkowl.uk to talk through your project.
Tony
Richardson
Tony is a management consultant with experience
in charities and non-profit organisations.
Prior to taking the leap into the non-profit world, he sharpened his skills in the retail, catering and hospitality sectors In a moment of optimism he 'squeezed in' setting up a micro-brewery
He has managed teams and is an expert in leadership and coaching. He believes that anyone can master a P&L with the right tools, an achievable budget and a supportive and nurturing environment. Tony has designed and delivered customer service training packages for multiple hospitality businesses (both for-profit and non-profit).
Tony has specific expertise in coaching, training and working with leadership teams to devise new strategies to help their charities become fit for the future, productive, streamlined and effective.
In recent years, Tony has developed organisational strategies, staff training programmes and business plans for Westbank, Age UK Croydon, Dillington House, Bovey Tracey Paradiso Arts, Exeter Historic Buildings Trust, the Buckfastleigh Trust, Occombe Farm and the Lyme Regis Development Trust.
Prior to this, Tony spent nine years at the National Trust supporting catering businesses at properties across the South West. As well as ensuring the profitability of each of these businesses, Tony supported operational managers to produce and deliver budgets and to develop bespoke training for teams.
In the heritage and environment sector, Tony works across disciplines, managing the experience of visitors whilst ensuring the protection of built and natural heritage. He is experienced in developing new streams of commercial income and new businesses at new sites.
Tony has previously served as trustee for Hearts Together and is a mentor for the Prince's Trust.
When free time permits, he puts his energies into freediving, scuba, mountain biking, climbing, coffee roasting, putting his carpentry skills to work in our house and garden and all aspects of being a Dad.
"Tony helped us with our Business Planning (which in turn helped us to secure grants from donors who had previously turned us down). "
Bovey Tracey Paradiso Arts
Caroline
Danks
Caroline has been a fundraiser for nearly twenty years. She is an expert in trusts and foundations, major gifts and capital appeals and has raised millions for good causes.
Caroline started her career in the homelessness sector and has since worked in large and small charities across most fundraising disciplines.
Between 2016 and 2019, she ran five capital appeals from scratch (including the strategic planning work) and has also undertaken strategic development work for Tommy's, Hearts Together, Cornwall GirlGuiding and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Throughout the pandemic, Caroline delivered interim trust fundraising services for Voices Foundation and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.
In addition, Caroline has developed two fundraising training courses, runs a small online community of course students and has been a speaker for various events / online communities including Fundraising Everywhere, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and the Bright Spot Members Club. Her writing has been featured in Fundraising Magazine.
When she's not fundraising, Caroline spends time outdoors, either at her allotment or swimming in the sea. She dreams of living somewhere a little warmer than the UK!
Caroline Danks
Caroline has been a fundraiser for nearly twenty years. She is an expert in trusts and foundations, major gifts and capital appeals and has raised millions for good causes.
Caroline started her career in the homelessness sector and has since worked in large and small charities across most fundraising disciplines.
Between 2016 and 2019, she ran five capital appeals from scratch (including the strategic planning work) and has also undertaken strategic development work for Tommy's, Hearts Together, Cornwall GirlGuiding and Cornwall Wildlife Trust. Throughout the pandemic, Caroline delivered interim trust fundraising services for Voices Foundation and the Devon Air Ambulance Trust.
In addition, Caroline has developed two fundraising training courses, runs a small online community of course students and has been a speaker for various events / online communities including Fundraising Everywhere, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising and the Bright Spot Members Club. Her writing has been featured in Fundraising Magazine.
When she's not fundraising, Caroline spends time outdoors, either at her allotment or swimming in the sea. She dreams of living somewhere a little warmer than the UK!
"Caroline is a pleasure to work with - her calm and positive approach have been welcome during this difficult time - and I would not hesitate to recommend her"
Voices Foundation
"Caroline delivered a thoroughly researched pipeline, but more than that produced the supporting evidence to show what was realistic given our limited resources. This has been crucial both in terms of setting expectations and justifying more investment.
Not only is Caroline an excellent fundraiser but she has an extremely friendly and approachable manner - it feels like we have been friends and colleagues for years!
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Caroline to any charity looking to boost its fundraising."
Internews
"Caroline delivered a thoroughly researched pipeline, but more than that produced the supporting evidence to show what was realistic given our limited resources. This has been crucial both in terms of setting expectations and justifying more investment.
Not only is Caroline an excellent fundraiser but she has an extremely friendly and approachable manner - it feels like we have been friends and colleagues for years!
I wouldn't hesitate to recommend Caroline to any charity looking to boost its fundraising."
Internews
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Looking for a weekly dose of inspiration to help supercharge your income generation?
Sign up to receive The Nest Egg today - ideas and thoughts on raising money, charity management, training, personal development and (occasionally) unrelated topics including forays into nature, raising small people, political rants and favourite snacks…