ECS is fundamentally success-based and receives most income as a consequence of successfully raising funds for Clients. The investment merit of a proposal or project is therefore critical to ECS.
ECS does not seek upfront fees however a mandatory Travel Contribution is imposed and a Sign-On Retainer may be imposed entirely at the discretion of the Client. The only other fee paid by the Client to ECS is the agreed percentage of the gross amount of funds actually received by the Client. ECS will not entertain the provision of funds without a meeting between the Principal of ECS and the Client. The Travel Contribution helps defray our travelling & accommodation expenses (see Table 1). It also confirms intent and speeds up the process.
The (optional) Sign-On Retainer permits ECS to recoup fees paid to researchers and other consultants, communication expenses, referral fees, etc. If the Client decides not to pay a Sign-On Retainer ECS will negotiate a higher percentage on gross funds raised. Alternatively, the Client may prefer to pay the published Sign-On Retainer to lock in a lower percentage (see Table 2).
Most seekers of funds face a dilemma. They recognise the danger in paying upfront fees however to raise a substantial amount for absolutely no upfront cost is usually impossible. If ECS is engaged by the Client to finance, at its own expense, all the costs involved in sourcing funds such as research, staff, communications, consultant(s), additional travel, accommodation, printing, prospectus, advertising, meetings, presentations, promotions, etc., then ECS effectively becomes a joint-venture partner with the Client.
Many Clients come to ECS after a bad financial experience. That experience usually has to do with fraudulent upfront fees. ECS maintains a comprehensive global database of thousands of dubious individuals and corporations. If you or someone you know is contemplating the engagement of a particular fund raiser or fund raising entity ECS is prepared to confidentially research that person or entity without cost or obligation and report back.
Travel Contribution
ECS does not entertain the provision of funds without a meeting. The Travel Contribution is designed to reduce our travelling & accommodation expenses. Meetings may take several hours or a day or two and participation by the Client's colleagues, associates, lawyers, accountants, etc., is encouraged. All initial meetings are attended by Mr McDonald and cover every aspect of the project, the method(s) of fund raising to be employed and the steps required to achieve a successful result.
| GEOGRAPHICAL REGION | US$ |
|---|---|
| Australia | $500 |
| New Zealand & Pacific | $750 |
| South East Asia | $1,000 |
| Indian Sub-continent | $1,250 |
| Africa | $1,500 |
| Europe | $1,750 |
| USA | $2,000 |
| Rest of World | $2,250 |
Sign-On Retainer & Success Fee
Apart from the Travel Contribution and Sign-On Retainer (if imposed) the only other fee paid by the Client to ECS is the agreed percentage on funds raised and received by the Client. Clients have a choice of four (4) options (A,B,C & D) as per Table 2.
| OPTION | SIGN-ON RETAINER | Plus % on borrowings | Plus % on equity capital |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | NIL | By negotiation | By negotiation |
| B | US$10,000 or US$2,000 per month* | 3% | 7% |
| C | US$25,000 or US$5,000 per month* | 2% | 5% |
| D | US$50,000 or US$10,000 per month* | 1% | 3% |
* over six months