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Vol. 6, No. 3
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December 2009
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FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
It's that time of year again. Our projects are underway after we made it through more than 40
client applications for 21 client spots. We found 22
amazing people to lead these interesting projects. Booz Allen, once again, did
a tremendous job of helping us recruit consultants. At our
well-attended Project Launch, Viki Betancourt from the World Bank, gave a heart-felt speech about volunteering. And
now, 170 business professionals are assigned to teams, trained and already
working with clients.
Along the way, though, a surprising
thing happened...we received an unprecedented 375 applications for 170 volunteer
spots. That got us thinking about our own needs as a nonprofit, our
aspirations, and our resources. So here we are at that time of year again - end-of-year fundraising!
The reasons for our funding needs are
more clear than ever before. We turned away 200 volunteers. In addition,
over the past two years, we turned away 60 nonprofits. At a time when
the nonprofit sector is suffering from the still troubled economy, when
nonprofits are closing doors, and at a time when the
need for nonprofit services is so great, we have volunteers who want to help nonprofits who need the help.
So why can't we put more volunteers
on more teams? Ironically, our own internal capacity stands in the way. With
one staff person (me!), Compass doesn't have enough internal resources to
support (i.e. recruit, select, train, and provide ongoing support to)
additional teams.
Volunteer organizations need good
management to create the desired impact. Compass carefully screens nonprofit
applicants to find the nonprofits most ready for a consulting
engagement. We carefully select project leaders who can manage clients and motivate volunteers. We recruit volunteers with the education and experience
to walk into a new organization and gauge needs and next
steps. We train, train, train, and then we provide ongoing support. This year, a
new Client Orientation helped our clients understand their roles and
responsibilities. This well-oiled machine called Compass is poised to grow, to
serve more nonprofits, and to get more business professionals into
the nonprofit sector.
Additional financial support would
allow us to hire one more staff person, thereby increasing our own capacity to
serve 50 - 80 percent more nonprofits each year. Every dollar contributed to
Compass provides $10 of consulting services in the community. It's one of the
best returns available these days. So please think about leveraging your
contribution to the nonprofit community. Think about a gift to Compass, and
then go ahead and do it!
To those who have supported Compass
this past year, from volunteer hours to financial contributions, we
thank you. To our foundation and corporate sponsors, especially Meyer, Cafritz,
O'Neill, and Booz Allen, a very heartfelt thank you!!
Happy holidays!
Suzanne
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| YEAR-END FUNDRAISING KICKS-OFF
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Shortly after Thanksgiving, Compass sent year-end giving letters to volunteers, past donors and friends of our organization. This annual campaign provides financial support that lasts an entire year (and then runs out!). All gifts are appreciated, and allow us to continue pursuing our mission of building the capacity of Washington-area nonprofits by coordinating and supporting the volunteer efforts of business professionals, in particular (but not exclusively) those with an MBA from a top business school.
Contributors at or above $2,500 become members of Compass' Leadership
Circle. This year, a Compass board member will match all Leadership
Circle grants up to a total of $20,000. Help us take advantage of this
opportunity. Make your gift today by sending a check to Compass or
donating online at http://www.compassdc.org/donors/index.html
Compass also accepts donations of stock. Please contact Suzanne Laporte at (202) 459-6291 for transfer details.
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COMPASS LAUNCHES ONLINE GIVING
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In response to many requests last year, the new Compass website now sports online giving capabilities through a service called Just Give. The link to Just Give can be found here: http://www.compassdc.org/donors/index.html
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MEET THE PROJECT LEADERS
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We're thrilled to have the following talented professionals leading our teams for 2009-2010.
Rob Gibson, Columbia Business School - Anacostia Watershed Society
Susan Thaxton, Harvard Business School- Annapolis Symphony Orchestra
Jeremy Klass, Temple University Law School - The Arc of Northern Virginia
Gary Friend, George Washington Univ. Business School - Bridges Public Charter School
Eric Guichard, Harvard Business School - Capital Partners for Education
Brock Holmes, Stanford Business School - Class
Acts Arts
Dale Hamby, Harvard Business School - Community
Lodgings
Christian Salvatori, Columbia Business School - Compass
Zeke Williams, Duke Business School - District
Alliance for Safe Housing
Sean Epstein, Columbia Business School - Greater
Prince William Community Health Center
Diana Tyler, Duke Business School - The
Helen Hayes Awards
Li Kramer, Duke Business School - The
Kingsbury Center
Cathy Bernasek, Harvard Business School and Nowell Rush, Harvard Business School - The Lab
School of Washington
Sreenivas Rachamadugu, Northwestern Business School - Language
ETC
Catherine Potter, Stanford Business School - National
Child Research Center
Jennifer Blasko, Columbia Business School - Oatlands
Karen Mazze, Harvard Business School - Pregnancy
Aid Centers
Oltac Unsal, Stanford Business School - Reality, Inc.
Kim Tran, Columbia Business School - Stop Child Abuse Now of Northern
Virginia
Andrea Harris, Yale Business School - Synetic Theater
John Nolan, Harvard Business School - The Treatment and Learning Centers |
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COMPASS PARTICIPATES IN AMERICA'S GIVING CHALLENGE
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Compass raised $2,170 in October and early November as part of America's Giving Challenge sponsored by the Case Foundation. The Challenge focused on increasing the number of donations to nonprofits over a four week period. We are grateful to all of Compass' friends and volunteers who donated during the Challenge, put Compass on their Facebook page, or forwarded the Challenge to their own friends and family.
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COMPASS CLIENTS IN THE CATALOGUE FOR PHILANTHROPY
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Compass congratulates our current and former clients that are included in the recently launched 2009-2010 Catalogue for Philanthropy:
Alexandria Seaport Foundation
DC Scores
Language ETC
Pregnancy Aid Centers
Strive DC
Urban Alliance
The Catalogue introduces high impact, carefully evaluated, community-based nonprofits with budgets below $3 million. For prospective donors, the Catalogue's recently expanded website features gift
cards, a gift registry, and a section especially for kids. For the Catalogue's selected nonprofits, the expanded sites for
each nonprofits gives the ability to connect with donors in
new ways - by sharing volunteer opportunities, events, media, videos, and
more.
Applications to be featured
in the new catalogue open on January 1. ALL information,
including eligibility requirements, is available on the Catalogue's website (www.cfp-dc.org) at the APPLY
link in the blue banner at the bottom of each page.
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ARNOLD & PORTER BRINGS VOLUNTEERS
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This fall, Compass established an important volunteer
recruiting relationship with Arnold and PorterLLP, a well-known Washington, DC law firm. For the
first time, Compass actively recruited attorneys to participate on Compass
teams. Five Arnold & Porter attorneys joined Compass teams, bringing their legal backgrounds and perspective to the projects.
Compass is excited to be working closely with a firm that has such a strong
community service reputation. |
| THANKS TO THE BUSINESS SCHOOL CLUBS
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Compass wouldn't have achieved the success and growth we've experienced over the years without the support of the local business school clubs. Thank you to the following
clubs who help spread the word about Compass. We are grateful for their continued support:
The University of Chicago Booth
School of Business
The Harvard Business School Club of
Washington
Stanford Graduate School of Business
Tuck School of Business at
Dartmouth
The Wharton School at the
University of Pennsylvania
Columbia Graduate School of
Business
Fuqua School of Business at Duke
University
University of Michigan Ross School
of Business
University of Virginia Darden
School of Business
Northwestern University Kellogg
School of Management
Yale School of Management
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RAYMOND JAMES - Compass Newsletter
Sponsor
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Specialized Services for
Nonprofits and Associations
The
Global Wealth Management Group of Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
In-depth Experience
With 46 years of combined
investment experience and more than 30 licenses and designations, our team is
well suited for addressing the unique needs of nonprofits and associations.
International Focus
Our clients represent 51
countries. And with a global client base, come global ideas. Our team is at the
forefront of customized asset allocations with special emphasis on
international investing.
Industry-leading Support
Our professional experience,
knowledge and client support are further strengthened by our association with
Raymond James & Associates - a nationally recognized leader in financial
planning and investment services with 2,200 locations worldwide.
Inclusive and Comprehensive
Coordination
We understand that coordinating
funding with donors and recipients is key to the success of nonprofits and
associations - but it can also be one of the more complex and time-consuming
operational aspects of an organization. We provide simplicity by managing these
vital functions, leaving organizations free to focus on their missions.
Ozgur
Karaosmanoglu
Senior
Vice President, Investments & International Sales
Investment
Management Consultant
The
Global Wealth Management Group of Raymond James & Associates, Inc.
Phone:
202-872-5911
Toll
Free: 800-982-3035
[email protected]
raymondjames.com/wealthmanagers
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