Articles
& White Papers
Articles:
5/26/2010
Glencroft: How one CCRC is coping with the recession
Jay Shetler realizes the value of a sizeable, committed donor base. As CEO at Glencroft, a large continuing care retirement community (CCRC) in Arizona, Shetler is helping his board think creatively about continuing to develop relationships with donors in a time when every thought, every action and every decision seems colored by one word: recession.
11/12/2009
Grants feed World Hunger Relief budget
Former AAI client World Hunger Relief, Inc. (WHRI) of Elm Mott, TX is “a Christian organization committed to the alleviation of hunger around the world.” To that end, WHRI operates a 40-acre farm, manages an urban gardening program, and educates school children, community groups and churches in sustainable farming techniques and conservation.
8/24/2009
Newsletters perform vital role in advancement
Many organizations realize the importance of presenting advancement as a seamless and coordinated function between various departments. In AAI’s opinion, one person who understands and effectively applies this principle is Andrew Gerber, public relations coordinator at Gateway Woods Apostolic Christian Children’s Home (Leo, IN). Gerber is responsible for compiling Gateway’s newsletter (The Gate Post) and e-newsletter (E-Post) and takes very seriously their roles in supporting Gateway’s overall advancement efforts. AAI Communications Associate Sherilyn Ortman recently visited with Gerber about his philosophy and approach.
8/24/2009
“Best friends” tour builds goodwill
“Extremely encouraging.” That is how Peter Graber of Mennonite Mission Network describes a series of recent donor visits made in connection with Mission Network’s capital campaign, a joint venture with the Executive Leadership of Mennonite Church USA.
3/24/2009
Swiss Village dedicates wellness center
Earlier this month Swiss Village (Berne, IN) dedicated the Arthur and Gloria Muselman Wellness Pavilion, a community center on its north campus. The 21,000 sq. ft. center includes an aquatics center, strength building fitness area, floor exercise space and game room with a lounge area.
CEO Daryl Martin hopes the center will improve quality of life, not just for residents of the retirement community, but also for citizens of the surrounding community.
The dedication marked the end of a 4 million fundraising effort that had witnessed a host of unexpected circumstances, not the least of which was the sudden and untimely deaths in a car accident of the facility’s lead donors and namesakes.
The program included reflections by the Muselman’s two adult children, as well as a tribute by Martin.
To read Daryl Martin’s reflections on the campaign and the dedication,click here.
Fundraising:
5/12/2009
Finding the best funders
From pop-ups on your web browser to glossy brochures that arrive in the mail, grant offers seem to be everywhere. Supporters pass on bits and pieces about specific grants they’re familiar with, or stories of other organizations that have benefited from grant money.
Grants can indeed be an important ingredient in a successful fundraising project or capital campaign. But actually tracking down a funder whose philanthropic interests are compatible with your needs can be a bit more difficult. Investing in dedicated research may be well worth your time and money.
3/17/2008
Congregational Fundraising
Over the years individual church congregations have often approached Advancement Associates requesting help with visioning and fundraising work. A large number of inquiries in 2007 prompted us to consider whether our approach to fundraising with church-related organizations could be adapted in a helpful way on a congregational level; several successful initial ventures have convinced us that indeed it can.
01/11/2007
Corporate giving models
Outlined below are four models for corporate giving. Each represents a unique corporate perspective and consequent implications for fundraisers.
01/11/2007
Corporate giving
Corporations play an important role in fundraising programs by setting the pace for community awareness and involvement. But seeking these dollars can be an intimidating venture. When preparing to approach a prospective donor one should be aware of several factors that influence giving:
01/11/2007
Sample letter to corporations
Sample Letter of Inquiry to a Corporation
10/20/2006
The spirituality of fund-raising
Advancement Associates extends to the Henri Nouwen Society thanks for allowing us to print excerpts from Henri Nouwen's thoughtful booklet The Spirituality of Fund-Raising. Visit www.HenriNouwen.org to order a free copy of The Spirituality of Fund-Raising.
01/27/2006
The Development Audit
A conversation with Jerry Kennell, principal
Advancement Associates, Inc.
08/09/2005
What motivates donors?
“What motivates donors’ gifts?” Rich Gerig asked recently in an assembly of Mennonite education leaders in Pittsburgh.
03/23/2005
Systematic development makes a difference
By J. Daniel Hess. Why should a struggling agency with a small, tight budget, seek outside counsel on development planning?
This question becomes even more pointed if the development staff is somewhat leery of hard-sell, manipulative fundraising schemes.
Rich Gerig, an Advancement Associates team member, received such a call from a person who one would think might shy away from the outside consultant. The story is worth telling.
05/18/2004
Development Officers: They're Nowhere...They're Everywhere
Development officers are in hot demand these days, and attracting an experienced fundraiser to your organization is no easy task.
By Rich Gerig, Principal
10/21/2003
Guidelines for Major Gift Solicitation When Fundraising is Ministry
Article written by Jerry Kennell, Principal,
Advancement Associates, Inc.
While many of the basic steps of effective solicitation remain the same when fundraising is viewed as ministry, the context is changed in a way that literally removes the anxiety for all parties and transforms a potentially profane experience into something sacred.
Enrollment:
7/1/2008
An enrollment checklist
Is your school meeting its enrollment goals? Are you using strategies that can make the most difference? When I assess an enrollment program, I look for these 15 key indicators. How does your school measure up?
12/13/2006
An Introduction to Enrollment Consultation
Advancement Associates, Inc. has designated enrollment consultation as a new core service, with particular focus given to K-12 church-related schools. Company partners reached this decision after considering three key factors:
Strategic Visioning:
10/20/2006
Ingredients of a successful strategic visioning retreat. A conversation with Jerry Kennell
I happened to be on the road on the same weekend that my colleague Jerry Kennell was leading a strategic visioning workshop for Philadelphia Mennonite High School. In fact, I too was in Eastern Pennsylvania, doing a similar assignment for First Mennonite Church in Souderton, probably 35 miles north of the School.
06/16/2003
The Planning Nautilus
A Mission-Centered Analogy for Organizational Advancement, by Jerry S. Kennell, M.P.A.
Auxiliary Services:
8/31/2009
“Staying “on mission” in tough economic times
News flash: We are living in tough economic times. USA Today (December 2, 2008) reported on a November 2008 study conducted by Barna Group that “more than two in three adults (68%) say they have been affected by the dire economy and 22% said they have been impacted in a ‘major way.’” Not surprisingly, this is impacting how people give. The same study found that “the degree of reduction in giving is significant for churches.” Among people who have decreased giving to churches and religious centers.
10/19/2004
Two kinds of research
By J. Daniel Hess
Advancement Associates believes in the helpfulness of research and relies on research results to shape its counsel. A recent appointment of Dr. Michael Wiese, Anderson, IN, widely known for his expertise in research, underscores AAI commitment to careful investigations.
11/06/2003
A Marketing View Point Framed by 30 Years Experience
Article written by Pat Swartzendruber
01/20/2004
The Communications Audit
Analyzing the present; planning for future communications relationships
By J. Daniel Hess
11/20/2007
Market Research
Market research. These two words might evoke/prompt a variety of responses within an organization. Some might be intimidated by the mere thought (“I don’t know how.”) Others might question the need (“Ya, right?”) or financial wisdom (“I can’t afford it.”) To these folks, the suggestion may sound like one of those consultants trying to drum up some more business. Still others might see the benefits of market research but it gets perpetually lost in the shuffle of other tasks that are more pressing and take priority.
Hinkletown
Mennonite School: