A St Helens business has been supported by St Helens Chamber Business Growth Grant to adapt its business, to a model which can help local clubs and organisations raise much needed funds.
Intaglio Creative Ltd is based at Alexander Park. It carries out bespoke engraving of a wide variety of materials, such as ceramics, porcelain, zinc, and granite. Intaglios prime products are personalised, engraved plaques. It has supplied some world famous organisations with plaques to use as part of their fund raising activities. The new business model, Fund It Now, will allow small clubs and organisations to follow the same model as their famous counterparts, and raise those much needed funds.
Kevin O’Brien, Managing Director said: “We’ve been privileged to carry out projects for some world famous organisations including Lord’s Cricket Club for whom we created the Father Time Wall. We also created Arsenal Football clubs North Bank Terrace at the Emirates Stadium. Over 6000 Arsenal fans took up the opportunity to have their names and memories engraved forever at the football club. These were large scale, prestige projects which generated a significant revenue stream for the clubs involved.”
The success of these projects prompted Kevin to consider how he could adapt the idea to benefit smaller organisations. The local clubs, amateur sporting teams, educational settings, theatre groups and other bodies who are all hungry for funds.
“The projects we deliver at major sporting venues, give supporters the opportunity to leave a message at a venue they have a connection or affinity to.” says Kevin,” I always knew there was a place for this model on a more local level, a way for local clubs and venues to fundraise, whilst at the same time give recognition to their donors by way of a personalised plaque to be installed at the club.”
Kevin continues: “My vision was that smaller clubs are able to take advantage of a scaled down version of what the larger venues have benefitted from, to generate a new income stream for themselves.”
In order to develop the business, Kevin required support with the commercialisation and the development of the business idea. He approached St Helens Chamber, and through the Business Growth Grant, Intaglio Creative Ltd, obtained a grant towards the cost of the specialist consultancy to help him develop the plan.
“Being able to access the grant was a real help” says Kevin, “The Chamber support has allowed me to accelerate my launch activity for Fund It Now and create awareness of my plans more quickly than initially envisaged.”
The new business is now up and running. Any organisation looking to raise some funds can click on the website and see exactly how the process works.
Kevin said: “Our unique technology platform will allow a club to quickly build its own bespoke fundraising website in less than 15 minutes. It can then be shared with its members and supporters immediately. In 2022, I am looking forward to helping many local sporting clubs and venues raise much needed funds via www.funditnow.co.uk
