It’s all about the donor.
Your donors love you. They love your mission and your values. Donors want to give. By sharing the need with them, you are able to show them how they can be part of the solution. Learn their stories and their passions. Show them why they matter. Make meaningful connections. Create inspiration.
Fund development is much more than fundraising. It’s about stewardship. And The Blue Squirrel realizes the full impact of lasting connections. Boasting a diverse revenue stream approach, The Blue Squirrel believes in actively and continuously engaging with donors in a variety of proven techniques to cultivate those lasting relationships.
Donor Relations
Identify. Cultivate. Solicit. Stewardship.
This is the life-blood of your organization. The Blue Squirrel emphatically believes donor relations are the key to philanthropic support. The database is the foundation. By organizing and sharpening your database, we connect you with your donors, develop key components for your funding efforts, and craft a call to action with every donor. Remember, it’s all about relationship cultivation. And one of Genna’s strengths is just that! With Genna’s coaching, you’ll be able to know what to ask, how to ask, and why it’s important to keep the conversation going…again and again.
The key to sustainable impact is not only identifying and acquiring donors but also engaging them. By actively and continuously connecting with your stakeholders, you are fostering long term engagement. With the implementation of a stewardship plan, The Blue Squirrel offers touch-point techniques to thank your donors by acknowledging them for their generosity and support. Examples include receiving a hand-written birthday card or even a plate of yummy homemade goodies. Further, this communication with your donors allows you to specifically share how their gift is being utilized and the direct impact it’s making. It’s an honest, genuine connection, creating a high-quality donor experience.
There are too many favorite fun moments working with Genna! But the favorite one would have to be preparing for a garage sale for a non-profit we were volunteering for…it was stressful due to the location of the items we had to move, the weather and just the overall timing. (i.e. we didn’t have enough time!) Throughout it all, Genna helped me keep my sense of focus as well as my sense of humor about the situation. In the end, we got it all done! (Hoisting and all!!) 😉 5 words that describe Genna’s work ethic are: PASSIONATE, COMPASSIONATE, ENERGETIC, PURPOSE-DRIVEN, ETHICALLY SOUND.”
– Jody Greiber, Previous Co-Owner of RG Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
Signature Events
What about your signature event? You know, the one you do every year which engages sponsors and participants, raises money and increases awareness of your nonprofit. Signature events are built around your unique purpose and worthwhile cause. Telling your story, fundraising, and having FUN all at the same time! Virtually or in-person, it doesn’t get better than this.
Strategically knowing when and where to focus your marketing efforts, The Blue Squirrel showcases the value of your organization with your one-of-a-kind event. Remember, only you can bring this amazing experience to the community.
Specialty Campaigns: Capital Campaign or Program Campaigns
You’re in need of a new building or want to start a new program without any additional money in the budget? Campaigns require that you raise a sum of needed funds within a specified amount of time, but with so many moving parts and details, it can become overwhelming. Spearheading a year-long building capital campaign, Genna raised $1,000,000 for a nonprofit’s permanent home. She knows what it takes – due diligence, 100% participation, and leveraging every dollar. And don’t forget to throw in the kitchen sink!
Trust, Integrity and Passion. These words describe how Genna leads. We have seen first-hand the tenacity she exhibits when she sees a need. In most cases it is easy to say no to supporting a philanthropic cause, whether it needs your treasure or your time. What makes Genna effective is she recognizes donors need to see the impact of their gifts, and she uses creativity to make that happen.”
– Mark and Sherri Helmke
Planned Giving/Endowment
At The Blue Squirrel, we advocate that stewardship is the key to your organization’s sustainable foundation. Creating a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship fulfills a donor’s legacy intentions. Period. It is a powerful gift. Not sure how to start or struggling with how to integrate planned giving or an endowment? Our team helps you create the strong bond between the stakeholder and the organization…to impact generations to come! There’s nothing greater than being a champion for your donor!
Community Collaborative Grants
At The Blue Squirrel, intentional connections with our community are highly valued. Collaborating with another like-minded partner to provide identified critical needs benefits the community beyond what one can accomplish solo. Genna knows this firsthand after experiencing addiction within her family. Knowing that substance abuse has no parameters, she sought another like-minded organization to join forces to obtain funding for LockBoxes. By collaborating on this grant initiative, awareness was achieved through the placement of hundreds of these useful tools throughout the community.
Having the funds to make a difference in the lives around you brings enthusiasm and energy to everyone.
You, your organization, your donors, the community…the impact is evident. By offering purposeful opportunities to plug into your organization, passion and hope overflow in the entire community! Wow, what a legacy!
