Light at the end of the tunnel...
After what can only be described as a harrowing three years, I am cautiously optimistic about the future of the nonprofit sector. I am sure we all know of at least one nonprofit that is no longer in the community, or perhaps two organizations that merged to create a more fiscally sound program. But at MW & A we are seeing more organizations once again begin to approach capital campaigns, and by the number of searches we are currently conducting there is still a need for development professionals with a proven track record of success. These steps towards reinvestment are all signs of stabilization.
In this issue we will talk about development audits. Now is the perfect time to revisit what strategies are working and what development activities may need to be overhauled or scrapped entirely. Additionally, as we are ever mindful about our clients needs, we have launched Tele-Consulting to provide strong, sound advice when you need it, and when you need it to fit your budget.
As you assess how your organization has fared in the first quarter of 2011, or if your fiscal year is coming to a close, let us know how we can assist your organization in reaching your development goals.
Best Wishes,
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Now Sound Advice is a Phone Call Away
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MW & A recognizes that former clients sometimes need answers to new pressing questions about their fund raising strategies, and new organizations sometimes do not have the resources to commit to a full fundraising consulting contract.
Michelle Whiting & Associates believes that in this challenging, ever-changing philanthropic climate, those small to medium size non-profits need the expertise of fundraising counsel more than ever before.
In Spring 2011, Michelle Whiting & Associates has launched:
"Development Tele-Consulting by Phone"
Now Executive Directors, Development Directors, Development Committees and Capital Campaign Leaders can get expert advice in a quick and efficient manner from our experienced fundraising consulting professionals.
Due to the growth in demand for this service, we have limited clients to:
- Past clients of MW &A
- In California: New organizations with budgets less than $3,000,000
- All Non Profits located outside of California
Your confidential consultation will focus on your specific area of need which may include but not be limited to the following:
- Individuals and Institutional Fund Development Strategies
- Design and Preparation for Major Gifts or Capital Campaign
- Board & Leadership Development
- Reinvigorating your stalled campaign
- Creatively Enhancing Your Annual Fund Drive
- Personal Coaching
No matter what your individual or organizational needs, we are here for you to provide support, guidance, and solid steps that lead to qauntifiable results.
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Welcome Returning and New Clients
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New Grants in 2011
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Below is a sample of successful grants in spring 2011.
Please visit our website
for a larger sample of recently funded major gifts, grants and program campaigns.
The Center Orange County
The California Endowment - $225,000
Common Threads
The Annenberg Foundation - $500,000
Glenwood Housing Foundation
Anonymous Family Foundation - $60,000
Anonymous Foundation - $25,000
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Development Audits: Why Now?
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For even the most prepared and financially healthy nonprofit, 2008-2010 hit like a series of back to back disasters. For the previous five-year period, returns on endowments were flourishing, grant awards seemed to grow each year, major gifts were surprising everyone, and then it all went south starting in September 2008. And many of you were feeling that niggling feeling in your gut a year before-I know I was. My advice to clients at that time was simple: retrench. Cut your expenses, consolidate, evaluate and partner with programming, and redouble all fund development efforts.
Many nonprofits started learning what was working and what needed to be jettisoned in terms of operations and programming. Yet in many ways organizations are still holding on to fund raising strategies that are no longer working, or that need to be completely revised.
A development audit from MW & A is not a dry report of what is not working: it is a living, breathing outline of what immediate changes can increase revenue.
What Are Some Possible Benefits and Outcomes?
- The audit permits the president and the chief development officer to "get a handle" on the complexities and potential of the development function through a fresh perspective from a trained outsider with extensive development experience.
- The audit permits the chief development officer to establish priorities and to gain perspective on the strengths and weaknesses of the current operation.
- Through interviews with key trustees, organizational personnel, external funders and targeted funders, the audit raises the development function to a higher profile internally and externally, and signifies to everyone across the organization and the community that the function has the priority attention of the president.
- The audit defines key processes which are distinctive to the organization, which may then be nurtured to strengthen the development function, and which help to "position" the development office relative to other organizational priorities.
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Featured Client :
Glennwood Housing
Foundation
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The Glennwood Housing Foundation's mission is to provide a loving and unique housing community for young adults with developmental disabilities in a fun setting that is local, safe, affordable and promises to enhance the quality of their lives. The mission is guided by a vision where our young residents have unsurpassed opportunities for social growth, emotional fulfillment, enhanced dignity and equality through assisted independence.
In spring 2012 GHF will open the doors to a 42-room independent living facility in Laguna Beach that will become home to up to 50 young adults with developmental disabilities. The inspiration for this project comes from Trevor, the 26 year-old son of Glennwood Co-founder and Chairman Randy Larson, who was born with Down Syndrome. Trevor and many other young adults with developmental disabilities share a common dream at this stage in their lives: to live and work as independently as possible. Glennwood Housing Foundation (GHF) was created to help fulfill that dream for Trevor and others as well as address the concerns of parents about the long term care and housing of these young adults as they grow older.
MW & A has been retained to design the capital campaign, train and build the committee, and assist with the development of proposals.
Visit their website to learn more.
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| Testimonials | 
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Rob Max
Executive Director
Sweet Relief Musicians Fund
"This past year we engaged Michelle Whiting & Associates as a consultant to help us create a Foundation Proposal Initiative. I can't say enough about Michelle's professionalism and knowledge on the field. Beginning with the basics, every phone call, email, meeting and deadline was handled spot on with swiftness and not a deadline was missed. Even greater to our continued success was the clarity of information and guidance we received on the complete process.
Michelle created a clear template and plan of action that has allowed us to easily connect with a large contingent of relevant foundations. Sweet Relief Musicians Fund represents a unique combination of the arts and human services that required quality research and intuition on Michelle's part - her experience was invaluable. I keep a copy of the proposal plan created by Michelle on my desk and refer to it daily, and have now integrated that structure as we continue seeking new potential foundation partners. We continue to engage Michelle and she is readily available - well after our contract of services was completed. I highly recommend Michelle Whiting & Associates as a professional partner for any non-profit charity."
Teresa J. Bradshaw Executive Director Pan-American Association of Opthalmology "Our Board identified the need to update our strategic plan and Michelle of Michelle Whiting & Associates came to us highly recommended. Michelle has earned every one of those recommendations with her thorough technical knowledge of the ever-changing nonprofit sector. She shows intelligence, integrity and passion for her work. We are a supranational nonprofit medical association. Michelle skillfully adapted the process to our unique needs and she has shown great sensitivity to our culturally diverse organization. Michelle has led our board of directors through the process of creating a fantastic blueprint that clearly identifies our mission and scope of activities and how to get our goals accomplished. We are now on to the next phase of implementing our strategic plan which is searching for a Director of Development. Having had such a first-rate experience with the planning process, we have contracted Michelle Whiting to help us with the executive search for this new position." |
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