Client spotlight, (3 minute read)
Over the past several years, YWCA Metro Chicago has expanded its service footprint to embrace the needs of women and families in new geographies, doubled its budget size and welcomed a new President and CEO, Nicole Robinson. Given these changes, Alford Group was engaged to conduct a development assessment to identify ways to build on their strengths while ensuring sustained growth.
Pictured above: Alford Group Vice President Maree Bullock and the YWCA team. Photo courtesy of YWCA.
Who is YWCA Metro Chicago?
Founded in 1876, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a social enterprise committed to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all.
What was the focus of the work between YWCA and Alford Group?
Over the past several years, YWCA Metro Chicago has experienced a period of rapid growth, coupled with significant change. The organization has expanded its service footprint to embrace the needs of women and families in new geographies, such as those in Lake and DuPage counties. The organization has doubled its budget size fueled by growing programs and acquisitions and has welcomed a new President and CEO, Nicole Robinson.
Given this rapid growth and the recent CEO transition, Alford Group was engaged to conduct a development assessment to identify ways to build on their fundraising strengths while ensuring the necessary infrastructure is in place to grow philanthropic revenue in a sustainable fashion and expand individual giving for a more diversified mix. The scope of work explored ways to invest in the team, optimize processes, analyze donor data and build pathways to a culture of philanthropy across the organization and within the governance board.
What were the major changes made as a result of the development assessment?
The assessment brought forth actionable recommendations focused on the YWCA’s engagement of its Board leadership, KPIs and moves management tracking to grow donor giving levels while streamlining departmental activities, as well as recommendations that look closely at systems and structures to address acute needs related to major gifts, annual giving, donor communications, prospect research, planned giving and other fundraising operations.
Most significantly, perhaps, was the recommendation to add a new full-time employee to the team, a Vice President to launch a major gifts program and lead board engagement in development. Today the search for this role is well underway.
What are some takeaways from the experience of conducting a development assessment?
Major development assessments like the one conducted by Alford Group are valuable during times of significant organizational change, growth, staff transition or as a part of long-term strategic planning efforts to build financial resilience in any organization. Not only has it provided a blueprint for the new CEO and Board of Directors, but it has also served as a strategic reference point for Emily Dreke, who recently started as Chief Development and Brand Inspiration Officer.
Emily credits the assessment as a valuable head start on her work:
“Coming in on day one, I was provided with research-based backup to justify why we need to invest in building out a best-practice, individual giving program. What a gift! It’s not going to be built overnight, but it’s going to reap benefits for the YWCA for decades to come”
Inspired? Learn more about how to start a development assessment for your organization here.