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Strategic Guidance. Stronger Nonprofits.
In This Issue
Year End Giving Underway
Online Giving - Finally!
Meet the Project Leaders
America's Giving Challenge
Catalogue for Philanthropy
Arnold & Porter Brings Volunteers
Join Our List
Join Our Mailing List
Vol. 6, No. 3
December 2009
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     
YEAR-END FUNDRAISING KICKS-OFF
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.
COMPASS LAUNCHES ONLINE GIVING
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
MEET THE PROJECT LEADERS
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
COMPASS PARTICIPATES IN AMERICA'S GIVING CHALLENGE
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.
COMPASS CLIENTS IN THE CATALOGUE FOR PHILANTHROPY
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.
ARNOLD & PORTER BRINGS VOLUNTEERS
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
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
RAYMOND JAMES - Compass Newsletter Sponsor 
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