Services

customized consulting services

The Compass Group provides customized consulting services to nonprofits to build their capacity to successfully raise more money now and for the future. We bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to nonprofit development and a steadfast commitment to the role nonprofits play in our society.

Planning Study

The first step to a successful campaign. We use data to answer How much, From whom, How, and When?

Campaign Management

From planning and preparation, to implementation and execution, we educate, assist, and work alongside you to get it done.

Development Audit

We assess your systems, processes, and people to enable you to create a more effective and efficient fundraising operation.

Capacity Building

We help you implement new processes and systems to maximize your fundraising productivity.

Leadership Development

We provide coaching to build strong teams and individuals at all levels of your organization, including your board, volunteers, and staff.

Readiness Assessment

Ideal for organizations who want to examine both their internal and external readiness for a campaign. The Readiness Assessment is two services conducted simultaneously – Planning Study + Development Audit.

Planning Study

The first step to a successful campaign. We use data to answer How much, From whom, How, and When?

Development Audit

We assess your systems, processes, and people to enable you to create a more effective and efficient fundraising operation.

Smart Campaign

Ideal for organizations that are committed to doing a campaign. The Smart Campaign is two services conducted simultaneously – Planning Study + Campaign Management.

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Planning Study

The first step to a successful campaign. We use data to answer How much, From whom, How, and When?

Campaign Management

From planning and preparation, to implementation and execution, we educate, assist, and work alongside you to get it done.

For almost 30 years we’ve helped organizations across industries – from education, environment, human services, and arts & culture – exceed their campaign goals and mature as organizations.

How it fits together

The most successful organizations implement a measured approach to goal achievement.
Our services fit together sequentially to build a strong foundation for successful fundraising.

Planning Study

As a first step to a successful campaign we use data to set realistic campaign goals and create a roadmap for campaign success.

Through exploration and evaluation of external support for the future envisioned by the organization, a Planning Study provides the information necessary to create an urgent and compelling Case for Support, build a pipeline of potential donors, enlist the right campaign leadership, ensure resources are in place, establish a reasonable timeframe, and set a challenging and realistic campaign goal.

The information gathered through in-depth, personal interviews with key stakeholders is used to develop specific recommendations for campaign success. Recommendations are data driven and designed to maximize the organization’s strengths and address the organization’s challenges in the context of campaign implementation.

Planning Studies are conducted over 18 weeks.

CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT

From planning and preparation to implementation and execution, we are dedicated partners in getting it done.

Campaign success depends on a compelling and urgent Case for Support, donors who give in the right proportion to the goal, leaders who take ownership of the cause, and having sufficient resources to get the job done. While campaigns are focused fundraising initiatives, they lay the groundwork for strengthening a culture of philanthropy and building lifelong relationships with donors.

During regular on-site consultation, Compass brings creativity, accountability, discipline, and organization-specific strategies to ensure campaign success. Through hands-on collaboration with your team, we become an additional resource focused on advancing the campaign. This relationship provides opportunities for board and staff members to develop lasting fundraising skills.

SMART CAMPAIGN

Ideal for organizations that have already established an aspirational vision and made the commitment to fund that vision, the Smart Campaign accelerates the cultivation activities of Campaign Management in advance of the Planning Study. This promotes broader participation; which strengthens the information gathered while simultaneously enabling campaign implementation to move forward.

Learn more about the services that are integrated for the Smart Campaign.

Planning Study – As a first step to a successful campaign we use data to set realistic campaign goals and create a roadmap for campaign success.

Campaign Management  – From planning and preparation to implementation and execution, we are dedicated partners in getting it done.

READINESS ASSESSMENT

Ideal for organizations who need to look both externally AND internally to determine campaign potential, a Readiness Assessment combines the external exploration and evaluation of a Planning Study with the internal analysis of a Development Audit to provide data-driven, strategic recommendations for achieving campaign success.

Learn more about the services that are integrated for the Readiness Assessment.

Planning Study – As a first step to a successful campaign we use data to set realistic campaign goals and create a roadmap for campaign success.

Development Audit – To ensure resources are aligned with potential we analyze staff, technology, methods, processes and procedures and provide specific recommendations to maximize fundraising.

DEVELOPMENT AUDIT

To ensure resources are aligned with potential we analyze staff, technology, methods, processes, and procedures and provide specific recommendations to maximize fundraising.

Through exploration and evaluation of fundraising potential and the existing infrastructure, a Development Audit provides the information necessary to build a program that aligns with constituents who have the greatest potential and focuses on fundraising methods that maximize philanthropy.

The information gathered through data analysis, materials review, and in-depth interviews with leaders and staff members is used to develop specific recommendations for fundraising sustainability and growth.

Development Audits are conducted over 18 weeks.

CAPACITY BUILDING

Ideal for organizations that have completed a Development Audit and/or have clarity about what it will take to get to the next level in fundraising, Capacity Building focuses on creating and implementing a target-date driven action plan for increased fundraising productivity.

During regular on-site consultation, The Compass Group brings creativity, accountability, discipline, and organization-specific strategies to ensure Capacity Building. Through hands-on collaboration with your team, we become an additional resource focused on advancing fundraising. This relationship provides opportunities for staff and board members to develop lasting fundraising skills.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

A campaign environment creates an ideal opportunity for the development of leadership skills among the board, staff and volunteers. From enhanced visioning to collaborative team building and the effective solicitation of prospects and donors, the planning and execution of a significant fundraising initiative provides the opportunity to advance leadership in a context where success is critical.

Throughout all phases of the campaign, Compass will help identify opportunities for leadership development and will facilitate a variety of activities and strategies designed to build skill sets and create an effective team. This service is highly customized and very hands-on.