Case studies
our clients
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$ 2 Billion
Raised
150 +
Organizations served
Colorado Rocky Mountain School
Teaming Up for Success
- Services:
- Campaign Management
- Readiness Assessment
Goal: $10 M
Raised: $10 M
The Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) had recently updated their strategic plan which included several capital improvements and increased scholarship funding. Significant resources were necessary to achieve the desired outcomes. The school had never had a campaign before and the board and staff were very anxious about it. The board chair had worked with The Compass Group in the past and facilitated an introduction. Compass partnered with CRMS to conduct a Readiness Assessment to evaluate internal and external capacities to implement a successful campaign. Based on the findings of the ... Keep Reading
The Colorado Rocky Mountain School (CRMS) had recently updated their strategic plan which included several capital improvements and increased scholarship funding. Significant resources were necessary to achieve the desired outcomes. The school had never had a campaign before and the board and staff were very anxious about it. The board chair had worked with The Compass Group in the past and facilitated an introduction.
Compass partnered with CRMS to conduct a Readiness Assessment to evaluate internal and external capacities to implement a successful campaign. Based on the findings of the Readiness Assessment, the board of CRMS voted to advance a campaign. CRMS partnered with Compass to implement the recommendations of the assessment. Teaming with new development leadership, Compass provided both high-level strategic direction, board development, and training and day-to-day advice regarding systems, processes, and team building. The accountability and guidance from Compass enabled CRMS to successfully complete a $10 million campaign, providing the resources necessary to advance the strategic plan. Even more importantly, the staff, board, and volunteers acquired the skills needed to fundraise on their own.Less Reading
"It brought our team together for the long term. Everything I’ve learned in that campaign I’ve institutionalized throughout our organization."
Lisa Raleigh
Development Director
Los Alamos Historical Society
Successful Small Shop/Creating a Culture of Philanthropy
- Services:
- Planning Study
- Campaign Management
The Los Alamos Historical Society (LAHS) was a small-town museum struggling to grow beyond their limited staff and facilities. A new community opportunity on the horizon spurred an interest in growing their member base, expanding their programming, and improving their fundraising productivity. Past campaigns had underperformed, and they were eager to understand why and to address weaknesses directly with a new campaign and different strategy. LAHS had an Executive Director, but no fundraising staff and a board that had not done a campaign before. In addition, there had been no successful ca... Keep Reading
The Los Alamos Historical Society (LAHS) was a small-town museum struggling to grow beyond their limited staff and facilities. A new community opportunity on the horizon spurred an interest in growing their member base, expanding their programming, and improving their fundraising productivity. Past campaigns had underperformed, and they were eager to understand why and to address weaknesses directly with a new campaign and different strategy.
LAHS had an Executive Director, but no fundraising staff and a board that had not done a campaign before. In addition, there had been no successful campaigns in this community.
Together, The Compass Group and LAHS executed a Planning Study to identify the right campaign strategy and created a campaign plan specifically for their circumstances. Compass provided the necessary structure, training and direction for this small but worthy organization to maximize on this opportunity and raise more money than the community had ever seen for a nonprofit. The campaign provided invaluable education for the board and staff to develop a culture of philanthropy as well as skills to further the goals of the organization. Compass adapted campaign management service to the unique needs of LAHS.
Last year, LAHS had their most successful end of year campaign to date. They have established a healthy and growing membership base and honed their story to inspire and engage new supporters.Less Reading
"Our new ability to fundraise has transformed the organization. Compass showed us how to turn generosity into philanthropy - it was a huge culture change."
Heather McClenahan
Executive Director
National Park Trust
Building the Pipeline/Board Engagement
- Services:
- Planning Study
- Capacity Building
- Leadership Development
National Park Trust (NPT), a land trust and environmental education nonprofit, is dedicated to preserving parks today and creating park stewards for tomorrow. While the organization’s staff is small, its impact has been great in large part because of the dedication and commitment of the Executive Director. Compass was engaged initially to conduct a Planning Study which recommended NPT challenge its board to deepen its collective philanthropic commitment to the organization. Since the study, NPT and Compass have been working in partnership to create a unique service model. This model inclu... Keep Reading
National Park Trust (NPT), a land trust and environmental education nonprofit, is dedicated to preserving parks today and creating park stewards for tomorrow. While the organization’s staff is small, its impact has been great in large part because of the dedication and commitment of the Executive Director.
Compass was engaged initially to conduct a Planning Study which recommended NPT challenge its board to deepen its collective philanthropic commitment to the organization. Since the study, NPT and Compass have been working in partnership to create a unique service model. This model includes board and staff development, fundraising training, cultivation and stewardship planning, a digital audit, the creation of a legacy society, and an emphasis on building a pipeline for the future.
Board engagement is reaching new heights and more money is being raised for the organization than at any time in its history. A pipeline is being created that will allow it to build capacity and sustainability well into the future.Less Reading
"The Compass Group has worked closely with our board on a fundraising strategy and provided the tools and techniques that they were able to implement immediately to engage new friends and supporters of National Park Trust."
Grace Lee
Executive Director, National Park Trust
The Nature Conservancy
Wyoming Chapter – Leap of Faith
- Services:
- Planning Study
- Campaign Management
Goal: $40 M
Raised: $42 M
The Nature Conservancy – Wyoming Chapter knew they had to conduct a campaign in order to meet their strategic plan objectives. However, none of the staff had ever done a significant campaign before and, more importantly, not many of their board members had either. The thought of a $40 million campaign was scary to everyone! The Compass Group conducted a Planning Study for the Chapter. The results provided a roadmap for success that empowered the board to join hands and endorse a campaig... Keep Reading
The Nature Conservancy – Wyoming Chapter knew they had to conduct a campaign in order to meet their strategic plan objectives. However, none of the staff had ever done a significant campaign before and, more importantly, not many of their board members had either. The thought of a $40 million campaign was scary to everyone!
The Compass Group conducted a Planning Study for the Chapter. The results provided a roadmap for success that empowered the board to join hands and endorse a campaign. Compass was then retained to facilitate implementation of the study recommendations through campaign management. The campaign was not only successful for the chapter, but it also transformed the board and staff. They learned to work together, trust each other and commit to do whatever it took to be successful. The Chapter itself became a model for The Nature Conservancy's network on how to successfully engage volunteers in a campaign.
The campaign surpassed their goal, raising $42 million. The service provided by Compass enabled the organization to build a fundraising program for the future and establish a culture of board leadership in fundraising that has lasted beyond the campaign. Now the chapter is halfway through their second campaign that has a goal of $50 million.Less Reading
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Wolf River Conservancy
Public-Private Partnership
- Services:
- Campaign Management
- Leadership Development
Goal: $20 M
Raised: $40 M
Wolf River Conservancy (WRC), in Memphis, TN is not only dedicated to protecting the habitat within the Wolf River watershed, but they are also spearheading the Wolf River Greenway project, which is a corridor of protected green space along the river. Funding for the project required both public support and private fundraising. The Compass Group worked collaboratively with WRC to secure funds from state and local municipalities, as well as individuals, corporations and foundations in the area that believed in the project. The initial campaign goal for the Greenway project was $20 million. D... Keep Reading
Wolf River Conservancy (WRC), in Memphis, TN is not only dedicated to protecting the habitat within the Wolf River watershed, but they are also spearheading the Wolf River Greenway project, which is a corridor of protected green space along the river. Funding for the project required both public support and private fundraising. The Compass Group worked collaboratively with WRC to secure funds from state and local municipalities, as well as individuals, corporations and foundations in the area that believed in the project.
The initial campaign goal for the Greenway project was $20 million. Due to WRC’s initial success, the goal was doubled, and the campaign ended up raising over $40 million. Working with the Executive Director, community leaders, the board, and the development staff, Compass provided campaign management service, solicitation strategy, board training, and development.Less Reading
"Our experience in working with The Compass Group has been very important to the continued development of our organization. As we moved from a ‘grassroots’ organization to a professional land trust, managing a multimillion dollar project the counsel from Compass for both fundraising and board/organizational development has been invaluable."
Keith Cole
Executive Director, Wolf River Conservancy
Olivet College
Building Capacity
- Services:
- Planning Study
- Campaign Management
- Development Audit
- Capacity Building
Goal: $40 M
Raised: $42 M
Olivet College (Olivet) is a small liberal arts institution located in southwest Michigan. Having experienced the benefits of working with The Compass Group at a previous institution, Dr. Steven Corey asked Compass to conduct a Development Audit shortly after he began his presidency. The audit provided valuable insight and direction toward building the capacity of Olivet in anticipation of a multimillion dollar campaign. A year was spent implementing the recommendations of the audit. When Olivet was ready, Compass conducted a Planning Study to test the feasibility of a $40 million capital... Keep Reading
Olivet College (Olivet) is a small liberal arts institution located in southwest Michigan. Having experienced the benefits of working with The Compass Group at a previous institution, Dr. Steven Corey asked Compass to conduct a Development Audit shortly after he began his presidency.
The audit provided valuable insight and direction toward building the capacity of Olivet in anticipation of a multimillion dollar campaign. A year was spent implementing the recommendations of the audit. When Olivet was ready, Compass conducted a Planning Study to test the feasibility of a $40 million capital campaign.
Partnering with new leadership in the Advancement Office, Compass assisted Olivet in the implementation of the Planning Study recommendations, while continuing to monitor progress in meeting audit goals that were focused on improving the culture of philanthropy and building a high performing fundraising team.
Olivet publicly launched its $42 million campaign in October 2017, having raised $30 million during the quiet phase.Less Reading
"The greatest impact of the campaign has been the enhanced engagement of our alumni and donors, and the strengthening of the culture of philanthropy in support of our college. That is what helped generate the largest single gift in the college's history, three successive years of record giving, and a campaign that, while only partially completed, has already raised more than double any prior campaign. None of this is possible without the engagement and support of our alumni and donors."
Steven Corey
President, Olivet College
Santa Fe Preparatory School
The Dream Team
- Services:
- Planning Study
- Campaign Management
Goal: $7 M
Raised: $10 M
Santa Fe Preparatory School (Prep) had completed a strategic plan which called for a $7 million investment. These funds would support the design and construction of new $4 million library and classroom building, creation of a more unified campus design plan with a central plaza and a re-worked traffic scheme, and increased endowment. The Compass Group was retained to partner with Prep to conduct a Planning Study and assist them with the execution of the campaign. A campaign was new for Prep’s staff and board leadership, and fundraising in Santa Fe, NM was very competitive. The recommendat... Keep Reading
Santa Fe Preparatory School (Prep) had completed a strategic plan which called for a $7 million investment. These funds would support the design and construction of new $4 million library and classroom building, creation of a more unified campus design plan with a central plaza and a re-worked traffic scheme, and increased endowment.
The Compass Group was retained to partner with Prep to conduct a Planning Study and assist them with the execution of the campaign. A campaign was new for Prep’s staff and board leadership, and fundraising in Santa Fe, NM was very competitive. The recommendations from the Planning Study provided both insight and direction that, when implemented, enabled Prep to be successful.
The highlight of this campaign was the way that Prep’s staff and board leadership worked together. They relied on each other, trusted each other, supported each other, and cheered each other on to success. They even named themselves the “Dream Team” – and had t-shirts to make it official. That attitude and teamwork created an enthusiasm and culture that remains in place today. Prep has had a successful $10 million campaign since and is planning to launch the next one.
In addition, Prep's library was unique in that it received LEED Gold Certification, making it only the second LEED certified building in New Mexico and the first to be awarded gold status.Less Reading
"I honestly don't know how we could have successfully completed our ambitious capital campaign without the expert advice and personal encouragement of Frank Pisch and his Compass Group team. Where we saw challenges, he saw opportunities."
Bill Conway
Board Chair, Santa Fe Preparatory School
Memphis Union Mission
- Services:
- Planning Study
- Campaign Management
Goal: $15 M
Raised: $15 M
Memphis Union Mission (MUM) has a long and successful history of supporting homeless men, women and children in the Memphis, Tennessee area by providing short term housing, education, rehabilitation and helping them transition into the workplace and independence. Historically, the bulk of MUM’s generous support had been from churches, businesses and individual small donors. They had never conducted a multi-million dollar campaign before. Understanding that the MUM staff and board did not have this kind of campaign experience, the Chairwoman of the Steering C... Keep Reading
Memphis Union Mission (MUM) has a long and successful history of supporting homeless men, women and children in the Memphis, Tennessee area by providing short term housing, education, rehabilitation and helping them transition into the workplace and independence. Historically, the bulk of MUM’s generous support had been from churches, businesses and individual small donors. They had never conducted a multi-million dollar campaign before. Understanding that the MUM staff and board did not have this kind of campaign experience, the Chairwoman of the Steering Committee recommended a partnership with The Compass Group (Compass). Having worked with Compass in another successful campaign, she valued the guidance and structure Compass would bring to MUM’s effort.
Launched in 2016, the $15 million campaign to build a new Opportunity Center began with the expansion and engagement of a very strong Campaign Steering Committee comprised of community leaders and philanthropists. Compass initially conducted a feasibility study which provided a road map for the campaign, identified prospects and provided the information necessary to create specific strategies for solicitation. Working with the Steering Committee and staff of MUM, Compass guided the implementation of the campaign plan and the recommendations from the feasibility study.
The highlight of the campaign was a $2.5 million challenge grant received from a national corporation. This challenge immediately created credibility, excitement in the community and urgency resulting in the successful completion of the campaign in 24 months.Less Reading
"The Legacy of Hope campaign was the largest in the Mission’s history, and Compass’s wise counsel during this process was invaluable. We are so grateful for everything Compass has done to help make our vision become a reality. You have made a tremendous difference in this ministry, in the lives of the people we serve and in our community."
D. Scott Bjork
President and CEO, Memphis Union Mission
• Benedictine Sisters of Virginia
• Boy Scouts of America
• Chi Omega Fraternity
• The Children’s Center
• Christ United Methodist Church
• Family & Child Services of DC
• American Cancer Society
• American Cancer Society – Great Lakes Division
• Marine Resources and Education Center in Salt River Bay
• The Nature Conservancy in Patagonia
• St. Croix Country Day School
• Center City Consortium
• Institute of Economic Studies
• St. Mary’s College
• Georgia African American Historic Preservation Network
