Carter Community Building Association
The Carter Community Building Association (CCBA) promotes healthy lifestyles, personal development, and community connections by offering recreational, fitness, and educational programs for people of all ages and abilities. The executive director approached Jill Marshall Consulting in 2022 to recommend ways for the organization to optimize its fundraising strategy and enhance future services. Initially, the CCBA needed to complement its revenue from membership fees with increased support from philanthropy. In addition, the organization wanted to engage in a strategic planning process with significant community, staff, and board member engagement.
“I am so grateful for Jill’s knowledge, talents, and guidance. She recognized our needs for increased capacity, better systems, and infrastructure, while at the same time considering how best to position the CCBA for success. She is an excellent thought partner, and really helped me to activate our strategic vision. We are a stronger organization because of our work with Jill!”
- Kerry Artman, Executive Director
Fund Development Assessment
Fundraising | Leadership Coaching | Board Development
I led a thorough Fund Development Assessment for the CCBA by conducting multiple interviews with senior staff and trustees, and a full review of relevant governance policies and procedures, donor engagement strategies, and financial reports. I delivered a 21-page report with tailored recommendations for CCBA, as well as a debrief and question and answer session with the trustees.
Designing a Capital Campaign
Fundraising | Leadership Coaching | Case for Support Grant Writing and Prospecting | Content Creation
When the CCBA needed to design a campaign to raise funds for a $300,000 capital project and enhance its end-of-year Annual Fund messaging, I provided counsel to the executive director on plans, copy, and capacity-building resources. In addition, I wrote several grant proposals, advised on communications materials, and regularly met with the executive director to help her maximize the return on her time, while taking the next steps to hire her first development director.
Developing a Strategic Plan
Strategic Planning | Leadership Coaching | Board Development
The CCBA did not have a strategic plan in place, and leadership was eager to advance the organization by aligning the staff and trustees around a shared vision that featured community-driven programming and additional operational efficiencies. I facilitated a comprehensive process to help them to determine an updated set of strategic priorities over the next three years. We refreshed the CCBA’s mission, vision, and values statements, conducted outreach to over 6,000 of its recent members, participants, and other community stakeholders, and developed a strategic 3-year road map that also included implementation and accountability targets.
Results
The CCBA has embraced a number of strategic (and successful!) opportunities to increase its philanthropic revenue and attract new donors, including taking several new steps to educate the community about its programs and impact. The CCBA’s donor cultivation is now based on best practice, its philanthropic revenue has increased, and it has several ongoing plans and procedures in place. This fundraising growth has prepared the organization to take action on its new strategic plan, now focused on enhancing the CCBA’s innovative programming, improving its marketing and communications, investing in staff retention, and strengthening its financial planning and trustee governance.