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Projects We've Done
We've partnered with organizations on general training; specific strategy development and particular challenges and how to address them. The examples here are not uncommon but we approach each of our clients with the understanding that they have unique assets in their team members, volunteers, programs and culture.
Donor-Centric Major Gift Fundraising
THE PROBLEM: Our client had a budget with a 40% fundraising revenue increase. Early success from top prospects was short-lived as they realized the next level of donors was not ready for large asks.
THE SOLUTION: We used 2 strategies to get them back on track. We worked with major gift officers to understand the cues that donors had given over the years and to transfer this knowledge into a robust affinity / capacity profile in the CRM. Then we coached the gift officers in asking the right questions so they could present a much larger, yet appropriate ask - as a proposal and in person. The result was game-changing because they took what they knew and used it more effectively. They added to the capacity rating data through direct communications.
Leveraging a Strength Already
in Place
THE PROBLEM: An organization solicited only a few leadership givers and ran one annual fund mailing; staff were challenged by the Board to find new sources of funding.
THE SOLUTION: We realized the Board was extremely committed and had community contacts but did not want to solicit them. The Executive Director was hired on her programmatic expertise not as a fundraiser.
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We guided the Executive Director to use her passion for program advocacy in a different way and gave her comfort in simply meeting with donors to thank them in person.
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We positioned Board members to introduce the Executive Director to community contacts.
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We analyzed the event attendance lists for greater capacity and guided a mini-campaign with blended gifts using easy-to-understand diagrams at modest major gift levels.
The result was more revenue, greater staff and Board understanding about non-cash giving, and donor conversations that showed even greater capacity and a pathway for growth.