We are not fundraising “general practitioners” – we specialize in and have a tremendous passion for community and economic development. We have substantial experience working with nonprofits, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations of every type. Our senior executives are engaged and provide direct service for the most important parts of our clients’ projects. Our process and fundamentals have been proven successful for decades – and we constantly fine tune them by incorporating technology-related best practices, etc. POWER 10 clients deserve a customized service plan – not a one-size-fits-all approach – and that’s what we will deliver.
Pre-Campaign Funding Feasibility Studies
The Feasibility Study is the all-important “look before you leap” due diligence effort that should be undertaken by a nonprofit considering a major fundraising campaign. POWER 10 leaders provide hands-on, on-site / remote (virtual, etc.) project management from Day 1 of Strategic Initiative Development through the Campaign VICTORY CELEBRATION. Operating essentially as “primary staff,” we manage and physically execute the various tasks of the total project, except for a select few tasks that are best accomplished by volunteers and staff based on their relationships and community knowledge. We employ a highly structured process that we flexibly customize to the unique circumstances of each client. With client input, over approximately 2 – 3 months, we will:
Prepare the “Case for Support”
The POWER 10 team will work with staff and selected volunteer leaders to create a “Case for Support” document that succinctly captures the multi-year initiative / plan to be funded and makes a persuasive case for funding. This document should be concise / compelling / professional, but it should not appear to be a “final final.” It is important to make clear to the interviewee that the program is in “draft” and their input will be considered in developing the final plans. We will also produce a variety of other documents necessary to conduct a successful Study: Interviewee Questionnaire, Pledge Table, “Pave the Way” Cover Letter, etc.
Identify Top Prospects
We will facilitate a prospect identification and prioritization meeting to for top leaders to identify the “community of interest” surrounding the project and prioritize the businesses, foundations, individuals / families, and other organizations with the financial capacity and interest to positively influence a campaign.
Interview Prospects
Our professional staff will conduct one-on-one, confidential interviews with top prospects. During these interviews, we will gather input on: the need for the plan, the plan itself, financial goal feasibility, best funding prospects, best leader prospects, most compelling message, etc. Importantly, we will seek to engage and cultivate the interviewees with an eye toward facilitating a future successful campaign solicitation.
Produce A Report
We will produce a detailed Findings and Recommendations Report in which we (1) aggregate the interviewees’ input and include qualitative and quantitative data; and (2) analyze the input and provide specific recommendations regarding program / plan refinement (if any) and campaign strategy (including campaign goal and duration recommendations).
Capital Campaign Management
If POWER 10 recommends a campaign and the Client elects to proceed with a campaign, POWER 10 will employ our proven Campaign Process that we customize to meet the particular needs and circumstances of each client. Our chamber and economic development organization campaigns fund 3-5 year projects /strategic initiatives directed to:
- Marketing and New Business Recruitment
- Business Retention and Expansion (BRE)
- Talent / Workforce Attraction, Retention, and Alignment
- Workforce housing and childcare capacity
- Downtown Development Strategies
- Opportunity Funds / Cash Reserves
- Small Business Startup and Support
- Business / Industrial Park Development and Marketing
- New Chamber Buildings
- MANY other programs and strategies
The Funds We Raise Commonly Fund
- New / existing staff
- Contracts with other agencies or consultants
- Marketing strategies
- Travel
- “Opportunity” funds / cash reserve
- New or renovated Chamber buildings, incubators, etc.
Our Community Nonprofit Campaigns Commonly Fund
- New / renovated / expanded buildings
- New furnishings and equipment
- Land purchase
- New programs:
- New staff
- Contracts with other agencies or consultants
- Marketing strategies
- Travel
- “Opportunity” funds / endowments / cash reserve
Arvado (CO) Chamber
- Situation / Challenges: lack of available talent, inadequate stock of workforce housing, inadequate childcare capacity, and varied challenges to business growth / resiliency and investment
- Programmatic solution: Chamber / POWER 10 developed multi-year “B.O.L.D. 2026” Initiative with 4 goals:
- Grow Our Talent
- Increase Stock of Workforce Housing
- Increase Childcare Capacity
- Strengthen Business Environment
- Highlights: Awarded Western Association of Chamber Executives 2023 Outstanding Program Award for B.O.L.D. 2026
Fort Collins (CCO) Chamber
- 2x POWER 10 Client
- 1st campaign
- Situation / Challenges: crippling traffic congestion along essential I-25 corridor, talent shortages and underemployment, and uncertain local environment for business
- Programmatic solution: Chamber / POWER 10 developed multi-year “Northern Colorado Prospers” Initiative with 4 goals:
- Fix I-25
- Align, Attract and Retain Talent
- Bold Voice of Business
- Expand and Retain Existing Business
- Highlights: Raised more in second campaign (during COVID!) and awarded Western Association of Chamber Executives 2018 Outstanding Program Award for Northern Colorado Prospers
Gwinnett (GA) Chamber
- 3x POWER 10 Client
- Situation / Challenges: competition for quality jobs and capital investment, uncertain workforce availability / sustainability, inadequate “product”
- Programmatic solution: Partnership Gwinnett / EY / POWER 10 developed multi-year PG 4.0 Always Advancing Initiative with 3 goals:
- Grow Businesses, Jobs, and Investments
- Attract, Retain, and Align Talent to Strengthen Competitiveness
- Drive Redevelopment and Investment to Achieve Growth Throughout the County
- Highlights: Awarded 2023 Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives
Opelika (AL) Chamber
- Situation / Challenges: talent / workforce challenges, competition for new businesses and quality jobs, lack of dedicated space and resources for businesses in Opelika
- Programmatic solution: Chamber / POWER 10 developed multi-year “Forward Opelika” Initiative with 3 goals:
- Attract and Align Talent
- Grow Business and Quality Jobs
- Create a Business Hub (new Chamber building!)
- Highlights: 12 six-figure pledges!
Van Wert (OH) BDC
- 3x POWER 10 Client
- Situation / Challenges: competition for jobs and capital investment, uncertain workforce availability / sustainability, “quality of place” issues
- Programmatic solution: BDC / POWER 10 developed multi-year Accelerate Van Wert 3.0 Initiative with 3 goals:
- Opportunity Fund to Grow Jobs and Attract Capital Investment
- Attract, Retain, and Align Talent
- Strengthen Quality of Place
- Highlights: With no staff – just volunteer leaders – have been catalyst for community transformation; one of a handful of Ohio communities gaining population
Strategic Initiatives
A strategic initiative:
- Is a strategic plan / program of work that addresses critical community challenges / opportunities
- Includes 3-4 “big block” strategies / programmatic goals with measurable outcomes (traditional: jobs, capital investment, etc.) and clear ROI
- Identifies a specific timeframe to accomplish results; cyclical (3, 4, or 5 years)
- Engages the community “A Team” – business / educ / gov leaders – to provide input
In the context of the feasibility studies and campaigns we manage, we very frequently assist our clients with strategic plan development / refinement and messaging. On occasion, we provide strategic plan development as a stand-alone service. As with our feasibility study / campaign management services, we have a well-developed strategic planning process that we customize for use with each client.
Our style is both facilitative and prescriptive. We facilitate the discussion, ask probing questions, drive critical thinking, and encourage thorough analysis – all to ensure that we pull the best input out of our client staff and volunteer leaders so that the final plan is a clear expression of their collective intent. We also incorporate our experience with non-profits of all types and include specific strategies, accountability measures, and other content needed to create a dynamic actionable plan.
Connect With Us
Are you considering:
__ Strategic Initiative development,
__ a look-before-you-leap Pre-Campaign Feasibility Study, or
__ a Capital Campaign?
If so, all you have to say is, “GO,” and we will: (a) customize for your organization a POWER 10 Project Team to implement our proven process, and (b) drive execution and tempo. POWER 10 staff have drafted award winning initiatives, managed 100+ campaigns, raised $500+ million and averaged more than 100% of goal for clients coast-to-coast. In our capital campaign management work, we have an unequaled campaign win rate. For an initial, exploratory call, complete this form OR email us directly – LET’S GO!