Our client is a global humanitarian organisation operating in over 130 countries, relying heavily on regular donors to fund life-changing programmes for some of the world’s most vulnerable people. Regular giving provides the predictable income needed to plan long-term and deploy resources effectively. With fundraising teams spread across multiple markets, the organisation works centrally to align capability and best practice – and it is within this structure that Wood for Trees has built a longstanding and growing partnership.
Predictive modelling for regular giving
Despite having analysts across markets worldwide, data science capability – particularly around predictive modelling – varied significantly from region to region. At the same time, the organisation had historically relied on external partners to deliver modelling work, which was costly and created dependency. Every pound spent on outsourcing was a pound not spent on the cause. They needed a partner who could not only build the models, but transfer the knowledge to make future work genuinely self-sufficient.
Building in-house skills
Wood for Trees designed and delivered a modelling and knowledge-transfer programme across two initial markets. We built a regular giving upgrade model for one market and a churn model for another – both designed from the outset to be handed over. Training was delivered iteratively, adapted to cohorts that ranged from experienced analysts to non-technical stakeholders. When one analyst reached out independently while building her own model, we held a follow-up session to support her. The training didn’t end when the programme did.
Transformational training
Both models are now in use, with A/B testing underway to measure uplift. The most tangible proof of success: one of the lead analysts trained through the programme is now independently building her own model for a new use case – precisely the outcome the programme was designed to achieve. Feedback across both cohorts has been consistently strong. The programme is ongoing, with further markets to follow, and what began as a modelling project has become a capability-building initiative that will shape how the organisation’s fundraising teams operate for years to come.
