The Collins Group Story

Experienced fundraiser Dick Collins founded The Collins Group (TCG) in 1979, one of the first fundraising consulting firms based in the Northwest. The high standards he established and the major gift fundraising expertise he offered differentiated TCG from other Seattle-area firms.

During the late 1980s, Collins subcontracted several projects with local consultant Stuart Grover and his partner Sonya Campion. They admired Collins’ honesty and quality of work, and felt they shared similar values. In 1989, Grover purchased TCG from Collins.

Under Grover and Campion’s leadership TCG focused on creating strong, collaborative partnerships with clients to increase the organizations’ probability of successful sustainable fundraising long after TCG’s services were no longer needed. This close coaching style proved popular among many clients and during the 1990s TCG continued to grow in size, innovation, and wisdom. In 1996, a second TCG office opened in Portland, Oregon to serve clients throughout Oregon, Southwest Washington, and surrounding areas. TCG’s inventive and daring approaches to capital campaigns clearly established the firm as a leader in the field.

In 2004, Stuart sold the company to Martha Richards and Aggie Sweeney, two principals and regional managers on the fast track, who then became President and CEO, respectively. In 2006, Sonya Campion left the firm to focus on The Campion Foundation, which she co-founded with her husband. Both Stuart and Sonya continue to be valued internal resources to TCG. Founder Dick Collins passed away in May 2008 to much sadness and continued gratitute for his groundbreaking work in the field.

Kate Roosevelt joined the ownership group and became Vice President in 2007. In 2008, Martha Richards left the firm to become the first full-time executive director of the Miller Foundation, an Oregon-based family foundation focused on education and the arts. With Martha's departure, Aggie Sweeney assumed the title of President & CEO.

The Collins Group—the largest woman-owned fundraising consulting firm in the country—continues its tradition of tailoring creative fundraising methods to help nonprofits achieve their goals and make their visions a reality.