A Little Goes a Long Way: Group's Investment Pays Off Big

by Laura Huth, President & CEO, do good Consulting

In April 2007, I got a call from Jamie Ellis. I’ve known Jamie and his family for years – he is a die-hard prairie preservationist. He is kind-hearted and soft-spoken, with long, dark hair. But Jamie was not calling to chat. “We need help, Laura,” were his first words.

Jamie went on to outline an opportunity that was presented to the group he volunteers for, Grand Prairie Friends. The organization needed to raise $40,000 by November to purchase an important piece of land for prairie preservation efforts.

“We just haven’t been fundraising – we don’t know where to start,” he said. “We have a list, but I wonder if we can raise that kind of money. We also don’t have much money. But it’s a rare and important opportunity. Can do good help us?”

Now, I will admit, I had my doubts. In my head, I added up the months they had to do what they needed to do. They didn’t have much money. But I could tell that Jamie was serious. I asked what they had to work with finance-wise to make this happen.

A week later, after outlining my proposed work plan for them in the hours they could buy, Jamie’s next call began, “You’re hired!” And so we got to work.

We had five hours in all: just under $400 for do good to help them raise $40,000. We were careful and deliberate in our work and instructions to them. Jamie and his Grand Prairie Friends team were eager students, strong on follow up and keen on the groundwork and details needed to make this happen.

We opted for a two-prong approach: communicate with the group’s list in an “educational” manner first, letting supporters know in June about the upcoming land acquisition opportunity. “We hope you will join us later this year in this important fundraising opportunity,” the letter closed. We did not ask for money. Not yet. It was all a part of our strategy.

In August, the real fundraising letter arrived. And so did the reply envelopes back to Grand Prairie Friends’ mailbox. Before long, the group had the funds they needed, less about $7,000. In October, an anonymous donor stepped up, issuing a challenge. Another letter went out. More money came in.

So how did Grand Prairie Friends do it? How did they take $400 of advice and turn it in to $40,000 for their program?

First, they made a commitment: they chose to move ahead with the fundraising program and hire a consultant to help guide their efforts. Once the decision was made, they agreed to support it to the best of their individual and collective abilities.

Next, they engaged in an exercise that do good prepared for them to expand their database. This wasn’t a list-buying scheme. “do good’s advice really helped to grow our organization,” said Jamie. “We had more supporters immediately. And today they continue to work for us.”

They also followed do good’s advice about where money comes from and why people give. “Their advice about the timing of our campaign, the components that should be included, and what each letter should contain was all rock-solid,” commented Jamie. “We really hit the mark with do good’s help.”

Grand Prairie Friends is an extremely hard-working group, committed to their goal and doing things right. It worked, and it paid off big for them. In the end, they surpassed their goal, raising over $43,000 from 185 donors and turning their $400 of do good Consulting’s time and advice into a 10,000% increase in their investment. Not bad. Not bad at all.

How can you, too, experience a 10,000% increase in your investment? Contact do good Consulting at dogood@dogoodconsulting.org or 217-778-1687. While we cannot guarantee results, what we can guarantee is that if you pour your heart and soul into your efforts, you will do good.

Want to hear a testimonial about do good’s work directly from Grand Prairie Friends? Want to learn more about their efforts? Contact Jamie Ellis at Grand Prairie Friends at jamese@inhs.uiuc.edu or go to www.prairienet.org/gpf. Or attend Grand Prairie Friends Annual Winter Meeting Friday, March 14 at 7PM at Anita Purves Nature Center at 1505 N. Broadway, Urbana. The meeting will feature a dessert potluck and a talk by the Illinois Natural History Survey’s Jen Grixti about bumble bees in Illinois.

Q & A: Sources for Computer Hardware & Software

Q:

Dear do good:
Our non-profit organization could use computer software and hardware for our office, but we are on a very tight budget. Do you know of a good source for discounted or free software?
- Seeking an Upgrade, Champaign

A:
Dear Upgrade:
One of the best resources for most 501(c)(3) organizations to get deeply discounted computer software and hardware is an on-line organization called TechSoup. Through TechSoup's website, www.techsoup.org, the group sells software and hardware from companies like Microsoft, Cisco systems, and Adobe at deeply discounted prices specifically for non-profits. The site also has an online community of non-profits from around the country sharing what has worked for them in past and lots of advice for managing the technology used by non-profits.

Membership is free but does require registration and organizations using the site must have their 501(c)(3) IRS status and share a copy of this paperwork with TechSoup.

- Tim Newcomb, Technology & Database Specialist, do good Consulting

Have a question for do good's team of experts? Send your inquiries to dogood@dogoodconsulting.org or call 217-778-1687.

Group Profile: Campus Middle School for Girls

by Jennifer Knapp, Special Projects Coordinator, do good Consulting

“Middle school is a very pivotal point for girls. It is a time when they become reticent. Boys will often be the first to raise their hands in class, but when girls are by themselves they will take initiative. In an all-girls environment, they have no choice. They develop a strong sense of themselves, and have greater self confidence when they leave.”
- Joan Campagnolo, Director, Campus Middle School for Girls

Campus Middle School for Girls is the only single-gender middle school for girls in Central Illinois, offering a unique educational setting unlike anything else offered in the community. The school’s founders were concerned that bright girls in our community – as well as across the nation – were not being challenged to meet their potential in traditional school settings. Campus Middle School, which was founded under the name Home Hi, was developed to help girls in the Champaign-Urbana region achieve and excel academically in a nurturing and caring educational environment. Cheryl Louviere, Assistant Director and parent of a Campus Middle School student summed up the school’s vision, saying, “I wanted a school environment that was positive, challenging, and nurturing. My daughter wanted to be smart and not have to cover that up. I found all this at Campus Middle School for Girls.”

Through a combination of small class size and a carefully developed curriculum emphasizing the development of academic skills, the school promotes confident, enthusiastic, and responsible young learners. Cheryl notes these goals are coming to fruition: “A high number of our girls are in the top 10% at their high schools. They also tend to be active in their high schools. For example, three alumnae resurrected the Centennial High Environmental Organization.” With some of the first generation of girls now graduating and moving into careers, the school is seeing graduates becoming lawyers, teachers, and even organizational board members.

Part of the reason Campus Middle School for Girls is so effective is because it offers an enriched curriculum. “Representative Naomi Jakobsson spoke recently and the girls asked her questions for 45 minutes,” Joan comments. “We also have a lot of collaboration with university departments. Our girls participate in everything from field trips to the State Capitol to Chicago's Art Institute. Our school year starts with a retreat at Allerton Park to build us as a community.”

Campus Middle School for Girls currently covers grades 6 through 8, though administrators are considering adding 5th grade. The school’s size (this year at 25 girls) allows educators to provide students with individual attention and strong, diverse course offerings. The school welcomes girls of all races, colors, nationalities, income levels, and ethnic heritages. Interested families should call Campus Middle School for Girls at 217-344-8279 and arrange for a visit, or go to www.campusms.org for more information.

Want to see your group profiled in the next Doing Good e-newsletter? Contact do good Consulting at dogood@dogoodconsulting.org or call 217-778-1687.