Customer Stories
- Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua – Whanganui Capital Redevelopment Campaign
- New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata, Le Quesnoy, France International Capital Campaign
- Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai
Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua – Whanganui Capital Redevelopment Campaign
At a glance
Client: Whanganui District Council and Sarjeant Gallery Trust
Project: Heritage restoration and major gallery expansion
Campaign total: $57+ million raised
Services: Revenue generation strategy, government funding, philanthropy, feasibility and
business case, stakeholder engagement, campaign collateral
Delivery: Jenni Giblin
Case Studies:
The project
The Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua is one of New Zealand’s most significant regional
art institutions and a Category I heritage building. Opened in 1919, the gallery is an iconic
cultural landmark for Whanganui and home to a nationally important art collection.
After more than a century of use, the building required seismic strengthening, full restoration,
and a major new extension to meet modern gallery standards. The redevelopment created a
contemporary cultural destination while carefully preserving the historic domed gallery at the
heart of the building.
The Sarjeant redevelopment became one of the largest regional cultural capital projects ever
delivered in New Zealand.
Jenni Giblin and her team were engaged over several years to lead the project’s revenue
generation and fundraising strategy, working closely with both the Whanganui District
Council and the Sarjeant Gallery Trust.
Key responsibilities included:
- Developing a comprehensive Revenue Generation Strategy for the project.
- Preparing a communications strategy to support government, philanthropic, and
community investment.
- Leading major funding applications to:
o Ministry for Culture and Heritage – Regional Museums Fund; Lottery Grants Board – Environment and Heritage Fund;
Lottery Grants Board – Significant Projects Fund; Provincial Growth Fund
- Providing strategic advice on corporate and philanthropic approaches.
- Supporting community fundraising initiatives.
- Leading stakeholder engagement locally and nationally.
- Preparing a feasibility study and Better Business Case.
- Writing and producing campaign collateral to support the philanthropic programme.
- Providing ongoing strategic advice throughout the life of the project.
The outcome
- Over $57 million secured from central government, lottery, philanthropic, and
community sources.
- Successful delivery of one of New Zealand’s most significant regional cultural
infrastructure projects.
- Restoration of a nationally important heritage building.
- Creation of a major arts and cultural destination for Whanganui and the wider region.
Key services delivered
- Capital campaign strategy
- Government funding applications
- Philanthropic and corporate strategy
- Feasibility study and Better Business Case
- Communications strategy
- Stakeholder engagement
- Campaign collateral
- Strategic advisory services
New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata, Le Quesnoy, France International Capital Campaign
At a glance
Client: New Zealand Memorial Museum Trust – Le Quesnoy
Project: New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata, France
Campaign total: $15+ million raised
Duration: Six-year international capital campaign
Services: Revenue generation strategy, philanthropic and corporate partnerships, donor stewardship, events, local government and foundation approaches
Delivery: Jenni Giblin
The project
The New Zealand Liberation Museum – Te Arawhata in Le Quesnoy, France, commemorates the liberation of the historic French town by New Zealand soldiers at the end of the First World War. The daring capture of the town on 4 November 1918, achieved without civilian casualties, remains one of the most significant and humane military operations in New Zealand’s history.
The museum tells the story of New Zealand’s role on the Western Front and honours the deep and enduring connection between New Zealand and the people of Le Quesnoy. Located within the town’s historic ramparts, the project combines heritage architecture, contemporary museum design, and immersive storytelling to create a significant international cultural destination.
As a New Zealand-led project located in France, the campaign required strong engagement with philanthropists, families, foundations, and partners across New Zealand to secure the necessary funding.
Funding HQ / campaign leadership role
Jenni Giblin was engaged by the New Zealand Memorial Museum Trust – Le Quesnoy and worked on the project for six years, leading the capital fundraising campaign alongside Rt Hon Sir Don McKinnon.
Key responsibilities included:
Developing a comprehensive Revenue Generation Strategy for the international capital campaign.
Leading the implementation of the fundraising strategy over a six-year period.
Securing philanthropic and corporate partnerships.
Making approaches to local government, trusts, and foundations across New Zealand.
Providing strategic advice on the development of fundraising collateral and campaign materials.
Leading a donor-focused strategy, with a strong emphasis on major philanthropic gifts.
Stewarding key donors and managing long-term relationships.
Hosting donor events, including event managing the official opening of the museum in France.
A central challenge of the campaign was raising funds from New Zealand donors for a project located overseas. The success of the campaign relied heavily on the generosity of individuals, families, and philanthropic trusts who felt a strong connection to the historical significance of the project and were proud and passionate New Zealanders.
The outcome
- Over $15 million raised to support the development of the museum.
- Successful delivery of a significant New Zealand cultural project on the international stage.
- Strong philanthropic support from individuals, families, and foundations across New Zealand.
- Opening of a permanent legacy that honours the connection between New Zealand and Le Quesnoy.
Key services delivered
- Capital campaign strategy
- International fundraising implementation
- Philanthropic and corporate partnerships
- Trust and foundation approaches
- Donor stewardship
- Campaign collateral and case-for-support materials
- Strategic advisory services
- Donor events and opening support
Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai
At a glance
Client: Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai
Project: Independent fundraising review and framework development
Scope: Organisation-wide assessment of fundraising systems, structure, and strategy
Services: Fundraising review, organisational structure, strategy development, donor engagement, campaign planning
Delivery: Jenni Giblin
The organisation
Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai is one of New Zealand’s most respected social service organisations, supporting people experiencing homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, poor health, and social isolation across Tāmaki Makaurau.
Through its integrated HomeGround facility and wider outreach services, the Mission delivers wrap-around support including housing, healthcare, food assistance, and social services. The organisation relies heavily on philanthropic support and community generosity to sustain and grow its services.
As demand for services increased and the organisation entered a new phase following the opening of HomeGround, the Mission commissioned an independent review to strengthen its long-term fundraising capability and financial sustainability.
Funding HQ role
Jenni Giblin was engaged to undertake an independent review of the Mission’s fundraising function and to develop a framework to support stronger, more efficient, and more sustainable income generation.
Key responsibilities included:
Conducting a comprehensive review of fundraising activities, systems, and internal processes.
Engaging with the fundraising and marketing teams to assess capability, structure, and performance.
Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and revenue growth.
Assessing future fundraising potential across key income streams.
Developing a strategic fundraising framework aligned with the Mission’s organisational objectives.
Recommending improvements to team structure, roles, and processes.
Identifying opportunities for new fundraising tools, technologies, and digital approaches.
The outcome
- Delivery of an independent, organisation-wide fundraising review.
- A new strategic fundraising framework aligned to the Mission’s long-term goals.
- Recommended structural and process improvements to increase efficiency and impact.
- Clear action plans, campaign concepts, and donor engagement strategies.
- A roadmap to strengthen income growth and long-term financial sustainability.
- Fundraising Team exceeding their income targets following implementation of the new structure and framework.
Key services delivered
- Independent fundraising review
- Organisational structure and process recommendations
- Strategic fundraising framework
- Donor engagement and retention strategy
- Fundraising tools and technology recommendation
- Training and capability development