From Data to Donors: 5 Strategic Fundraising Wins from Our Second Decade

As we celebrate two decades of providing fundraising and strategic consulting services to more than 120 nonprofits, we’re reflecting on our clients’ biggest wins and revisiting the powerful lessons we discovered along the way.

In years 11 to 15, the Heller Fundraising Group helped clients tackle major capital campaigns by making the most of their relationships, their volunteers, and their donor databases. By smartly deploying their resources, they turned ambitious plans into reality.

2014: Keep Donors Engaged Between Campaigns

Sciencenter was on the cusp of launching a programmatic capital campaign—but the historic institution in Ithaca, NY, had lost touch with many of its donors. To revitalize their donor engagement, they brought us in to conduct a feasibility study. Our research process and personal touchpoints, alongside our crucial insistence that they get back out the door to engage donors, reinvigorated their donor base and ultimately led Sciencenter to raise $4.2 million.

2015: Turn Data into Donor Action

When we first partnered with Westchester Children’s Association, they had a wealth of valuable donor data that they weren’t using to its full potential. We guided them to implement data-driven segmentation for personalized outreach and donor engagement strategies. The end result? Increased donor retention and larger gifts.

2016: Activate Volunteers as Major Gift Leaders

After Brooklyn Heights Synagogue bought the brownstone building next door, their campaign to renovate the space stalled at $3 million—barely a quarter of their goal. However, the team lacked the expertise and professional staff to raise the additional $9.5 million. We organized their fundraising strategy and identified the top prospects among their synagogue members. Then, we trained their volunteer leadership and clergy to cultivate, solicit and even give generously of their own resources. Their beautiful new building opened in 2023.

2017: Stay the Course Through Setbacks

In 2017, The Ossining Children's Center set out to raise $17.8 million for a new facility—an audacious goal for a daycare center. With our support, they navigated board resignations, difficulty finding a usable site, the death of donors, and even the pandemic. Despite these setbacks, their determination paid off, and they successfully reached their goal, including an $8 million+ lead gift.

2018: Lead with Purpose to Inspire Generosity

In 2018, Temple Rodef Shalom faced a challenge that many growing communities dream of—they had outgrown their beautiful space because of a growth in membership. With plans for a $16 million expansion, they turned to us to conduct a feasibility study and craft a successful campaign strategy. Members were inspired by a renewed understanding of the synagogue's crucial role and many made their largest philanthropic gifts ever, anywhere. The shared effort also brought the congregation closer together and strengthened their culture of philanthropy in ways that lasted far beyond the campaign. 

There’s more to come.

We have 20 stories to tell about how we helped clients challenge their fundraising assumptions to achieve unprecedented success over the last 20 years. Follow along on the Heller Fundraising Group’s LinkedIn. And if you could use some guidance on how to make the most of your resources, we’re here to help. Schedule a free strategy session to find out more.