ANNUAL GIVING CONSULTING

A strong annual solicitation program engages your organization’s constituents in providing a critical base for your nonprofit. A successful, multi-channel approach results in solid returns on your investments through continuous resource growth, high donor renewal rates and the development of a strong major gift pipeline.  BL&A works with you to complete a thorough review of your program including plans and appeals, past and ongoing results, staff training and development, and year-over-year progress against goals.

BL&A will help you build upon your programs' strengths while identifying areas that can be made into points of pride with the introduction of industry best practices.

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Annual Giving Audits

BL&A audits nonprofits of all sizes and missions. In an intensive and collaborative examination of your entire program, we will focus on the most important strategies to improve your annual giving dollars and donors. We will evaluate leadership appeals, direct mail, telemarketing, e-solicitations, online giving, crowdfunding, reunion giving, staff giving, membership drives, event fundraising, matching gift strategies and other strategies. At the end of a BL&A Annual Giving audit, you will have an action plan for developing an essential pipeline of sustainable support.

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campaign feasibility & readiness studies

BL&A conducts a comprehensive review of your internal and external environment for a major campaign. We examine both your readiness to engage in a major fundraising initiative and your donors’ and other supporters’ appetite for the campaign. Based on what we learn, we will prepare a written report and initial fundraising plan.  The report and plan will recommend a goal, specific and actionable strategies for your team and Board, a proposed campaign structure, and a clear timeline.

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General Development Assessment

BL&A will conduct a complete and thorough, forty-point inventory of your development program. Every influence on your program’s performance is assessed so we may determine, your full potential and design a plan for optimal performance. Elements under review include but are not limited to annual, major and planned giving, gift processing and information technology, communications, public relations, and social media, staff, board, and volunteers, offline and online events, and donor retention. Materials are reviewed and analyzed, in-depth interviews are conducted, and benchmarking against peer institutions is weighed. The final result is a robust and details analysis and action plan designed specifically for your organization.

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ANNUAL OR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN MANAGEMENT AND STAFFING

BL&A can provide highly experienced counsel, either remotely or in-person, to initiate, guide, update, improve, or expand the performance and effectiveness of your capital campaign or Annual Giving program.

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Fundraising Coaching

A talented, trained, and confident staff and board are essential to your fundraising success. BL&A provides both training and ongoing coaching of individuals and teams engaged in every aspect of resource development. We work closely with you to develop a highly tailored and continually adaptive program built around the needs of your staff and board members. We recognize that everyone has a unique combination of talent, experience, and passion to contribute. We help to draw that winning formula from each individual and find the recipe for action that best suits them in their work and in concert with the team as a whole. Whatever challenges you face, we have been there. And we can help to prepare and guide those committed to your cause to greater achievement on behalf of your cause.

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Strategic Planning

Don’t overlook the critical implementation phase of your strategic plans. Brian Lacy and Associates guides organizations from the planning stages through to successful implementation. Our process includes setting achievable goals, linking them with budgets, developing metrics, and effectively communicating the plan to ensure long-term success.

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Testimonials

“High quality data is vital to doing business today, and Brian Lacy has proven to be able to provide what I've needed, when I've needed it, for a great value. I highly recommend Brian Lacy.”

Marshall Pennell
Owner at PennellChing Development

“Brian works with hundreds of organizations and has 'seen it all.' He brings a wealth of experience and fresh ideas to the table every time I work with him.”

George Machun
Fundraising - Alumni Relations

"Brian is a very knowledgeable person in the field. I would never hesitate to seek Brian's expert advice for any sort of Advancement Services solution. Brian makes it his business to keep up on industry standards and best practices."

Karen Latora
Director of Advancement Services at UC Berkeley Haas Business School

"It is with great enthusiasm and confidence that I recommend Brian. His expertise and commitment to excellence, coupled with his ability to understand the uniqueness of your institution, will provide you the best strategy for success. I recommend Brian without reservation."

Teo Cisneros
VP for Development at Baptist University of the Américas

"I have worked with Brian in a variety of capacities--from reporting directly to him at UCONN, to a long relationship since. In the past decade he's proven to be thoughtful, innovative, and follows through reliably. I know I can trust his counsel and concern."

D. Timothy Poisson
Director, Annual Fund Marketing and Participation at MIT

"Brian is an easy guy to work with, remaining both professional and flexible as the project developed. He delivered timely and accurate results for a very reasonable cost. I highly recommend his services and expect to contract with him again."

Mike Reopell
Director, AIS at Williams College

"Our company has worked with Brian for many years.  We have, because of his excellent service, expanded our business with him. He has always been responsive to our needs and has responded in a timely manner."

Larry Stelter
President, The Stelter Company

"Brian has a very strong background in annual giving . . . he has spent many years working in the sales and consulting industry where he interacts with development professionals from many different backgrounds. This has provided him with a vast depth of expertise in how to successfully create results."

Scott VanDeusen
Executive Director of Advancement Programs at St. John's University

" . . . Brian brings a solid understanding of many aspects related to fundraising and data management based on his own experience as a practitioner. Brian can be relied upon to provide sound and researched advice."

Amy J. Phillips
Advancement Services Consultant

" I strongly recommend Brian Lacy as an annual giving consultant. With his long career and detailed knowledge of annual giving best practices, he offers insight and creative strategies to meet and exceed goals. His network is strong and established . . . "

Trajan Dubiel
Assistant Director of Development at Michigan State University