Bertschi School, Seattle, Washington

For the students at Bertschi School, the core academic program is linked with the arts, science, and technology as well as social and environmental responsibility. To this end, when the School decided to build a new multi-purpose center, they were determined to make it a “green” building. In 2007, Bertschi School successfully completed a $3.3 million capital campaign and proudly dedicated the new Bertschi Center, the first LEED gold certified building on an independent school campus, not only in Seattle, but the Pacific Northwest region. The Collins Group partnered with Bertschi beginning in 2003 when the school contracted with us for a campaign feasibility study. After a successful study process helped the school refine its project description and identify a strong goal, we moved into providing campaign counsel. In addition to the sustainable Berschi Center, the campaign also benefitted the school’s art, music, and physical education programs. In early 2009, The Collins Group began providing campaign counsel for the school’s multi-million dollar endowment campaign to grow Bertschi’s school’s permanent resources to provide financial aid, professional development opportunities, and ongoing curriculum enhancements.