This article is from page 6 of the 2006-10-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
A US-based company employed by Clare County Council to aid the search for funding for the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre has told the council that its fundraising expectations are unrealistic.
New York-based CWB Marketing Group submitted a report to council last May, as part of the drive to raise the shortfall of €3 million for the €31.5 million visitor centre.
Clare’s mayor, Councillor Flan Garvey (FF), and the centre’s Project Leader, Ger Dollard, are due to embark on a tour of US cities later this month in a bid to raise funds.
Mr Dollard confirmed yesterday that the council had not utilised CWB Marketing since last June.
The May status report by CWB to council released to The Clare People through the Freedom of Information Act, states, “While the need for financial support for the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre is great, expectations as to how this need can be met through fundraising in the US are currently not realistic.
“CWB is certain that support exists in the US for such a project but that the time, effort and methodology required have not been realistically assessed by the council.
“It is often the case that those who are close and very familiar with a project feel the reasons for supporting it should be obvious to all and that a simple declaration of the need will result in an avalanche of support.
“However, those who are not familiar with a project do need significant reasoning and explanation before they come round to financially supporting it.
“Moving forward, should the council continue to raise funds in the US, it is recommended that a more robust direct mail programme be used to reach out to a more basic donor . . .
“It is also recommended that more realistic expectations be set for the progress and timing of results, as it is only natural that it would take many more months, even years, for an appeal as new as this to start making any headway in this sophisticated market.”
Commenting on the report, Mr Dollard said, “I think the context is that the project can gain support but, in CWB’s view, our expectations in terms of timescale are not realistic.
“It was never the council’s intention to launch a wide-ranging fundraising drive for this project but rather offer parties who may wish to support such a project the opportunity of so doing.”
Asked if there is a ‘plan B’ if the fundraising initiative didn’t raise the anticipated amounts, Mr Dollard said, “As previously outlined, the council is working on a number of avenues – and will continue to do so – to address the funding issue.”