Case Studies

Here’s How We Get Results

Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education & Immigration

Organization Profile:  The Presidents’ Alliance fosters an inclusive higher educational system, where immigration status is not a barrier to success or stability.

Scope: The Presidents’ Alliance was just two years old when we began our partnership and had no dedicated development staff. They needed strategic guidance to grow their funder base and identify the highest-ROI opportunities. The CEO and newly hired partnerships manager were eager for both coaching and hands-on support to move the work forward.

Results:

  • Raised $1M from 8 new donors in 6 months

  • Budget increased from $1.3M in 2021 to $3M in 2023 due to fundraising success

How we did it:  

  • Built a new pipeline of potential funders, then supported and coached the team to secure and lead successful first meetings

  • Created the organization’s first Case for Support, as well as mini-cases for program areas

  • Coached and mentored partnerships manager, who was new to fundraising

  • Created new systems and standard operating procedures to track and drive the work forward

  • Advised on design and launch of of corporate sponsor program and Leadership Circle

  • Provided guidance and detailed feedback on proposals, reports, and other donor materials

  • As the organization grew, supported the successful hire of first Development Director

Undaunted K-12

Organization Profile:  Undaunted advances climate-resilient, decarbonized K-12 school infrastructure across the United States.

Scope: The founder had raised seed funding but needed a fundraising strategy, plan, and support to sustain and grow the organization beyond year 1.

Results:

  • $3M+ raised

  • 10+new major funders secured…and counting!

How we did it:  

  • Built a pipeline of well-aligned potential funders and supported the CEO to find warm intros and make connections

  • Advised on development of a funder concept note, as well as mini-concept notes for each subarea

  • Created a pipeline management tool to track grants, evaluate progress, forecast, and move forward a pipeline of funder relationships

  • Provided strategic advising, structure, and support to keep fundraising moving during busy start-up phase

  • Write donor communications on behalf of the CEO, as well as guidance and feedback on proposals and reports