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Non-profit organizations choose to work with fundraising-consulting
firms for a variety of reasons. The organization may need help
developing a specific fundraising strategy or plan, or may be gearing
up for a campaign. Your organization may need assistance with implementation
of a fundraising project, with training for staff and volunteer leadership
or you may lack the resources or skill sets in-house to complete a project. Whatever
the reason, M. Gale & Associates has the expertise, the interest
and the human resources to help provide SOLUTIONS for your fundraising
needs.
Here are a few examples of how we’ve helped our clients recently
and what they say about us:
Development Plan and Implementation
American Red Cross Chisholm Trail Chapter
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led
by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental
Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, will provide relief
to victims of disaster and help people prevent, prepare for, and respond
to emergencies.
Patricia Thomson, CEO of the American Red Cross Chisholm Trail Chapter and
responsible for the North Central and West Texas Regions of Texas, asked
M. Gale Associates, LLC to assist the organization with development planning
and  coaching services. The role of the organization’s chapter
executive officers was shifting, with a greater emphasis on direct fund
development in their regional locations. The challenge ahead for these
executives was to focus on major gift fundraising as well as encouraging
participation by board of directors in the process.
Our team worked directly with the South Plains Chapter located in Lubbock,
Texas. This leading chapter in the state was ready to launch this
strategic directive. Our Associate, the Chief Executive Officer, with
the assistance of the Director of Development developed a menu of gift giving
opportunities specific to the Lubbock chapter, materials supporting the
opportunities and reviewed prospects to contact for greater partnerships
in the region. Meetings held with board members focused on three important
areas: corporate contacts and connections for support, in-kind donation
potential, and their personal relationships for one on one meetings to share
the message of the American Red Cross.
The development planning and coaching by M. Gale Associates, LLC reinvigorated
staff with new ideas, a plan of action, and steps for success.
“M. Gale & Associates, LLC was instrumental
in helping the American Red Cross increase their development success.”
–
Patricia Thomson, Chief Executive Officer, American Red Cross Chisholm Trail
Chapter
Comprehensive Development Plan
YWCA Fort Worth & Tarrant County
Eliminating Racism. Empowering Women. YWCA
Fort Worth & Tarrant County has offered women, girls and children a
path from poverty in Fort Worth and Tarrant County for more than 100 years. Through
several successful programs,
YWCA provides social services and helps women develop the skills needed
to become self-reliant and successfully independent. Stemming
from the YWCA’s recognition as far back as the late 1800s that racism
in America denies millions their rights and freedoms, YWCA Fort Worth & Tarrant
County is dedicated to racial justice by providing education, shaping public
policy and advocating on issues that disproportionately affect people of
color.
Concerned about decreases in government funding and grants from private
foundations during tough economic times, coupled with a desire to attract
major funding from individuals, YWCA Fort Worth & Tarrant County hired
M. Gale & Associates, LLC to provide a Development Audit & Analysis
of its fundraising programs.
Study results showed a deep donor base of over 1,000 donors many who had
made multiple gifts to the organization through attendance at special events. This
constituency needed to be enlightened to today’s YWCA and offered
opportunities to engage with the organization at higher levels both through
volunteering and providing resources. M. Gale & Associates, LLC
helped the YWCA focus on positioning itself as the community "thought leader"
for both of its two mission edicts; “eliminating racism and empowering
women.” The organization is updating each program case for support
relevant to solving community issues.
In addition to presenting a complete Development Plan, M. Gale & Associates,
LLC provided YWCA leadership and staff specific training on the process
of donor cultivation and solicitation. Through additional coaching
services, M. Gale & Associates, LLC continues to work with board and
staff, one-on-one, to implement its fundraising goals.
“M. Gale & Associates, LLC
had provided the plan and tools necessary for us to continue dreaming big
for our
future.”
–
Carol Klocek, Executive Director, YWCA Fort Worth & Tarrant County
Development Audit and Updated Fundraising
Plan
“They did a top-down evaluation of
everything we have done in development and presented a clear list
of doable changes with reachable goals”.
– Cathy
Packard, Executive Director, LaunchAbility (formerly known as Special Care & Career Services)
LaunchAbility (formerly known as Special
Care & Career Services)
For nearly half a century, LaunchAbility
has been expanding worlds for children and adults with disabilities
in North Texas
by providing services to help them reach their maximum potential and
lead fulfilling lives.
The non-profit organization offers two distinct
programs: Early Childhood Intervention (ECI) which serves
over 800 babies and toddlers, birth to age three, who have any type of developmental
disability
or delay by providing therapy, social and nutritional assistance to help
them reach their full potential and Supported Employment Services,
the first of its kind in Texas, which helps adults with cognitive disabilities
achieve
independence and self-sufficiency by helping them get and keep good jobs. Both
programs have achieved high marks in quality, service and results.
Supported by government grants, the United Way and through grants and gifts
from corporations, private foundations and individuals, LaunchAbility
was seeking a way to expand its donor base and increase giving from
each constituency. A Development Audit & Analysis by M.
Gale & Associates provided a complete picture of the organization’s
development scope and a comprehensive plan was tailored and presented.
The following TWO KEY SOLUTIONS were identified. These
are tactics that the organization had not previously engaged. Presentation
and training for board leadership on the specifics of “how-to” was
also provided.
1. Develop and work a Prospect Management System
For each donor constituency, develop
a list of key prospects to individually manage through the
fundraising cycle. Match
them to a specific need that fits their ability and interest in the organization.
Determine a prospect manager and
develop a prospect action plan that effectively moves
the prospect
through the cultivation cycle to
solicitation. Once a gift is received, move the prospect to stewardship and
plan for the next cultivation cycle. Prospect
managers interface with board members and other leaders
involved to help keep the plan
in motion.
2. Expand donor
base through a “grateful
client program”
Create a culture of philanthropy by allowing all clients and their families
to participate in giving to
LaunchAbility. Offer
opportunities by displaying needs at point of discovery throughout
the client
experience. Expand
new donor acquisition with direct and electronic mail to engage client
constituencies and
offer communications to client families.
“It's been more than 10 years since the agency hired its first
development officer and time to check our performance. We received from M.
Gale & Associates,
LLC, a thoughtful and clear list of recommendations producing results within
a month of receipt. We also received a fantastic blueprint for the
future, coupled with training for key board members to help us expand our
reach and enhance our investment. Money spent has already been returned!”
– Cathy
Packard, Executive Director, LaunchAbility (formerly known as Special Care
& Career Services)
Feasibility Study and Capital Campaign Planning
Camp Fire USA First Texas Council
Camp Fire USA First Texas Council prepared for the renovation of its
75 year old camp, Camp El Tesoro for several years. With a new master
plan and program analysis for the camp in hand, the organization knew it would
need  approximately
$10 million to complete the project.
M. Gale & Associates was hired to conduct the campaign feasibility study
and subsequently serve as campaign counsel for the project. A study revealed
important findings that helped chart the course for the campaign plan. Prospective
donors wanted to better understand how the camp could be utilized year-round. Support
from the Camp Fire USA Foundation was important to demonstrate to funders
its commitment to the camp. Decades of Camp Fire boys & girls would
need to be made aware of the pending renovation and motivated to support the
project with donations.
M. Gale & Associates recommended a two-phase campaign plan with construction
beginning midway through the first phase. To demonstrate commitment to the
project, the Camp Fire USA Foundation was solicited first to cover all campaign
expenses. A study was recommended to better understand the market for
year round usage and a plan developed to attract utilization through schools,
community groups, families and for a children’s overnight and day camp.
A large leadership committee was recruited to build strong support and awareness
among alumni and the donor community.
“M. Gale & Associates goes beyond every expectation to get
the results needed. They are a pleasure to work with in addition to
being professional, competent and knowledgeable. Simply stated, when
you work with M. Gale & Associates, expect success!"
-
Zem Neill, President & Chief
Executive Officer, Camp Fire USA – First Texas Council
Development Office Assessment & Planning
ACH Child and Family Services
Following the successful completion of its first capital campaign, ACH Child
and Family Services, an organization that  provides
for children and families in crisis, realized the value in re-organizing its
development office. The goal was to meet the relationship management
and stewardship needs of its new major donor constituency and well as plan
for future program and facilities funding requirements.
M. Gale & Associates was hired to assess the development program, make
recommendations for staffing requirements and help plan for future fundraising. After
analysis, a new organizational case for support was developed providing ongoing
gift giving opportunities for donors to continue their philanthropy. M.
Gale & Associates coached the ACH Child and Family Services development
team through a department re-organization and recruited additional staff to
manage annual support and oversee the relationship management and stewardship
programs. The creation of a development council was also recommended
to foster continued high-level involvement from volunteer leadership and to
assist with the implementation of the development plan.
“M. Gale and Associates bring a level of expertise, wisdom, and
structure to a project that positions it for success. With their help,
we were able to accomplish development goals never before achieved by our
organization. Their services were an excellent investment and will
provide returns long into the future."
-
Wayne Carson Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer, ACH Child and Family Services
Comprehensive Campaign with Challenge Grant
Extension
Partners Together For Health
The Foundation for JPS Health Network
Partners Together For Health, the Foundation for JPS Health Network, Tarrant
County Texas’s public health care provider, successfully raised more
than $8 million to assist with funding for a new patient tower. They
also received  a
$1.5 million challenge grant to help complete the campaign’s $15 million
goal. These achievements are especially remarkable, as the campaign was
conducted during a period of intense public scrutiny, negative media coverage
and a change in organizational leadership.
In the spirit of open communication and transparency, the Partners Together
For Health board of directors and hospital leadership provided community forums
to address questions and concerns. M. Gale & Associates worked
closely with Partners Together For Health leadership and staff on all aspects
of the fundraising campaign with a focus on donor stewardship and commitment
to the successful completion of the challenge grant.
Based on recommendations by M. Gale & Associates, the primary focus of
the board’s planning meeting was directed toward fundraising strategy
and renewing board commitment to the campaign. We also recommended that
additional community leaders be recruited to serve on the campaign committee
to broaden its reach and provide for more donor prospects.
To assist the campaign leadership with gift giving opportunities that would
attract a wider range of community support, the campaign was expanded to include
additional projects and programs. Ongoing education that demonstrates
the need for private support beyond what the public can provide continues through
meetings with community leadership and donor stakeholders.
Due to an appreciation for tough economic times, the challenge grant was extended
to allow Partners Together For Health to secure additional community support.
M. Gale & Associates is assisting campaign leadership and staff with prospect
identification, cultivation and solicitation toward successful completion of
the challenge grant.
“We chose M. Gale & Associates because they possessed the ability
and willingness to adapt to what has proven to be a non-traditional fundraising
environment. M. Gale & Associates provides creative solutions and
the know-how to see them through. They have been in the trenches with us
and we count them as an important part of our team."
-
Kimberly M. Britton, CFRE, Executive Director, Partners Together For Health,
the Foundation for
JPS
Health Network
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