What once seemed like an audacious goal has become a reality, as diverse community members came together to protect a rare and beautiful place, and the rural character and way of life that it affords. We’re so proud of our hard-working client and look forward to celebrating their success this weekend!

Below are some fun campaign facts pulled from the Conservancy’s newsletter:

* There have been more than 1,500 donations made to the campaign.

* Donors from 31 states gave to this campaign.

* More than 500 people gave to the Methow Conservancy for the first time through this campaign.

* Of all the money raised, 55 percent comes from private sources (people, foundations, businesses). These private gifts have helped leverage more than $8 million in public funds.

* Every private dollar they’ve spent has leveraged $100 in public funds for farmland protection projects.

* The campaign has already protected 23 new conservation easements and there are 25 more in progress.

* Campaign funds will continue to fund conservation projects for the next four+ years.

* Fifteen percent of the campaign funds will be put into three long-term funds – Stewardship, Land, & Organizational – to ensure conservation work continues forever.

* More than 40 volunteers worked actively to raise campaign funds.

* To date, the campaign has raised $19,720,408 (98.6% towards goal). These funds are in the form of cash, pledges, public funds, and the value of donated conservation easements.

Discover more at www.imaginethemethow.org

Every year, the Arts Council hosts a very successful auction called H’Arts. This year, however, they saw record-breaking results. Compared to last year:

• Attendance increased by 20 percent
• Donation values increased by 50 percent
• Dollars raised increased by 65 percent
• “Fund-a-Need” donations increased by 450 percent

The Collins Group would like to tip our hat to the Arts Council and their success. Thank you for demonstrating that steadfast cultivation and donor-centered fundraising really does produce results – no matter what the economy.

Click here to learn more about the Arts Council project.

Last Saturday was The Day of Three Parties.  The question I was asked – by no less than six people – was “Did you read the article on museums in The New York Times this morning?” (Most of my friends know that The Collins Group has had the good fortune of providing campaign counsel for a number of regional museum expansion projects).

In case you missed it, the article in question is “In the Arts, Bigger Buildings May Not Be Better” by Robin Pogrebin.  Adrian Ellis, NYC-based arts and cultural consultant, is quoted saying, “Although expansion is usually seen as a sign of health, it is not always a sign of vitality.”  This statement is a bit of a head-scratcher, but here’s what I think it means for nonprofits who are dreaming about a capital expansion project:

• Relevance: Is your project driven by a desire to “keep up” with your competitors or does your research make the case that the community you serve would benefit from an expanded facility?  Who or what is driving your plans?
• Urgency: Why now?  Will you fail to meet your mission if you don’t expand?  Is there another way for you to meet demand for services through partnerships, leasing additional space, or rethinking your current space?
• Sustainability: Do you have a realistic and defensible plan (that has been vetted with smart and skeptical people) for sustaining your expanded facility, programs, and operations?

When it comes to judging an organization’s health and vitality, I’ll leave you with this question: Would you rather your organization be a body builder who gulps steroids and burns out in middle age or a yoga practitioner who sips green tea and remains strong and limber throughout the years?

In late September, an article by Stephanie Strom took my breath away. “Nonprofits Paying Price for Gamble on Finances” sounds the alarm about the mountain of debt nonprofits have taken on in recent years to fund capital projects and other initiatives that could not be supported by philanthropy alone. There is a chart that illustrates how serious of a problem this has become, especially in light of the economic crisis: charities’ debt from tax-exempt bonds quadrupled between 1993 and 2006. Some organizations took on this debt expecting to pay it off with donations and interest earned from other sources. In many cases, their planning and projections have not paid off, quite literally.

Looking ahead, how will nonprofits retire their debt? How will they finance the new projects their clients need or their patrons demand if credit is hard to come by or their financial projections indicate that taking on debt will bury the organization? About a decade ago, I read about an “expert” who opined that capital campaigns weren’t necessary to fund projects – debt was the answer. I wonder if he’s changed his tune.

The Methow Conservancy’s Imagine the Methow Campaign received a $100,000 challenge from a small group of donors which would be received if they could raise about 600 gifts in just six weeks – bringing their total campaign gifts to 1,000 in number by the end of summer.  

What seemed wildly ambitious at first became an amazing campaign success. By the deadline, the campaign had reached a total of 1,322 gifts!

How did they do it? Through a multi-faceted plan that included events, direct mail, a volunteer-led “viral” campaign, a visible donor recognition piece, donation boxes in local businesses, as well as ads with the local newspaper and radio station. It was a lot to manage, but the pay off is nothing short of inspiring!

Community members recognized that their gift at any level would help to advance the campaign, and donors felt a sense of community pride in meeting the challenge.

The Methow Conservancy’s Imagine the Methow Campaign is raising funds to help protect critical Methow Valley land by working with willing private landowners.  For more information, visit their website at www.imaginethemethow.org .

A 30+ year veteran of the nonprofit sector, Stuart published his first book “Capital Campaigns: A Guide for Board Members and Others Who Aren’t Professional Fundraisers but Who Will Be the Heroes Who Create a Better Community” after retiring from full-time work with TCG.   While we miss his wisdom and wit in the office, we’re happy that he’s had the opportunity to craft these books and share his extensive expertise with the greater community.

You can purchase “Getting the Green” at http://www.aacc.nche.edu/Publications/Pages/Product.aspx?Product_Id=623

“Capital Campaigns” is available at http://www.amazon.com/Capital-Campaigns-Professional-Fundraisers-Community/dp/0595414729/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1252010129&sr=1-1

Congratulations on your latest publication, Stuart!

So, what are the keys to securing maximum gifts from donors? 

• Sharing your vision so that it becomes your donor’s vision, too
• Hands-on engagement and up close understanding of the factors that drive your success and how philanthropy makes a difference
• Confidence that the positive outcomes for the community are significant and will have a lasting impact

Let me share a recent example of this.  For the past five years our firm has been honored to serve as campaign counsel for Wellspring Family Services, a human service organization well respected for providing valuable services to the Seattle community for over 100 years, but also an organization with a limited fundraising program and no facilities it could call its own – until this year. About a decade ago the organization started its investments in donor relations and building a sustainable fundraising program, and committed in 2006 to move ahead with its first ever capital campaign.  The vision of their experienced CEO, Ruthann Howell, and dedicated board was well articulated. Over a period of months, their vision for expanding services to provide permanent solutions to homelessness for 5,000 families was embraced by others, who decided to join them in creating a new home for the organization. Seattle Rotary selected the new center as its Centennial project, and Rotarians donated over $4 million dollars. With another $1 million from board members and the “extended family”, and investments from local and regional individuals, foundations and corporations, Wellspring Family Services is very close to surpassing its $12.5 million campaign goal. The vast majority of donors made their first ever gift to the organization through this campaign. And, during the past 4 years, the number of donors and total of annual giving has increased each year. Wellspring Family Services was successful at achieving each of the keys listed above. 

Successful fundraising is not achieved merely by having a compelling vision. The effort to engage prospective donors in learning about your vision and making it their own can result in significant commitment to making the vision a reality.

On June 30, the Campaign for St. Anthony Hospital concluded, exceeding its $10 million private, philanthropic goal by more than $1 million. Close to 1,400 donors contributed to the campaign, the majority being new donors for the Franciscan Health System and Foundation. The campaign received six gifts or pledges in the amount of $500,000 and above.

The new hospital was broadly welcomed by the Gig Harbor, Key Peninsula, and South Kitsap communities, whose gifts helped to fund a state-of-the-art outpatient cancer center; a 24-hour emergency care center; sophisticated surgical and medical imaging equipment; a community wellness center; physical, occupational and speech therapy equipment; patient-care endowments; and art, gardens and water features to enhance the holistic healing environment.

The Collins Group enjoyed working with a stellar group of staff and community volunteers on this project, including Campaign Co-Chairs Sharon Snuffin and Rick Larson.

To see Franciscan Health System’s press release on the campaign, go to http://www.fhshealth.org/News.aspx?newsid=363

The first-of-its-kind collaboration in the US, the “Your Y (you’re why)” campaign employed a number of unique strategies including the use of public/private partnerships, public funding, federal New Market Tax Credits, and private philanthropy to succeed.  In addition, the volunteer corps of fundraisers took careful time to learn about each organization’s unique niche and value, so that they could make the case for the whole campaign to every donor that was lucky enough to give.

In May of this year, the first facility opened in Spokane’s West Central neighborhood, only a few short blocks from downtown.  My first visit to this new facility came on what I first thought was a busy Monday morning – but it turns out that the new facility is always that busy.  I witnessed children and adults from all walks of life talking, learning, and exercising within these shiny new walls: as envisioned, this is a place where people can find the help, support, and camaraderie they need to become the person they want to be.

I could not have dreamt that I’d ever be a part of a project like this when I got into this business.  While the path has been long and hard for all involved, I’m so glad and so proud to see the fruits of their labor today.  So, when the crew at the YMCA of the Inland Northwest and the YWCA of Spokane prepare to open their second and final building in North Spokane at the end of this month, they can be sure that TCG will be the loudest people cheering from the stands.

Read more about the campaign at http://www.yourycampaign.org/