Case Studies

In 2010, Thor Snilsberg asked Growth for Good to help launch CityScience. Together, we channeled Thor’s passion and the organization’s exemplary K-12 science curriculum to create a clear and powerful identity and a start-up campaign. We developed CityScience’s branding and website by first working closely with Thor to define the organization’s mission statement, vision, values and program structure, including goals and measurable objectives. Our team also helped build CityScience’s initial board of directors, and developed governance structures and a fundraising plan.

“From start to finish, Growth for Good kept CityScience’s mission and aspirations at the front of our branding project. They demystified the branding process and led the effort with graphic designers, printing companies and web developers. I would recommend Growth for Good to all nonprofit leaders seeking to tell their story to a range of audiences. Honestly, Growth for Good exceeded our expectations.” – Thor Snilsberg, Founding Executive Director

The VPP, a group of entrepreneurial Jewish philanthropists in Philadelphia, wanted to improve the quality of life of people with disabilities (and their families) by providing affordable, accessible resources and highly individualized support. Claudia Zeldin was retained for one year to spearhead the creation of a fee-based intensive care management service and self-sustaining online resource center with Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS) and nine other partner agencies. Claudia conducted a national and local competitive assessment, created an expansion recommendation plan, secured multiple partnerships and developed a three-year business plan. The result: SpecialNeedsPhilly.org launched in May 2012.

“From concept and research to planning and launch – Claudia’s leadership and drive have helped the VPP accomplish an amazing amount of valuable work in one year. Rarely, do things move this swiftly. The real bottom line is that the special needs community will be greatly helped through her efforts.” – Maury Hoberman, MD, Venture Philanthropy Partnership, Board Chair

“Claudia helped us create strategic and cost effective solutions to problems dramatically affecting individuals with disabilities. JFCS now has start-up funding, a sound business plan and a cracker-jack team in place. These revenue-generating and self-sustaining services will help our agency better serve our community. Claudia has managed this project with smarts and heart!” – Paula Goldstein, Jewish Family and Children’s Service (JFCS), CEO

In 2006, Queens Council on the Arts needed help evaluating its staff capacity and its impact on the Queens arts community. The Council also needed help developing its board of directors. Under the guidance of Katherine DeFoyd the organization developed a workable staffing plan, effective board by-laws and operations documents, an achievable plan for appropriations, and, to make sure it was meeting its mission, a feedback loop for the community of artists served by the organization.

“Katherine is a consummate professional, a she-wolf when it comes to closing in on a goal, and delivers well written packaged results that can wow a board.” – Hoong Yee Lee Krakauer, Executive Director

Growth for Good (GfG) has enabled the Center for Architecture Foundation (CFAF) to expand its fundraising capacity over the past three years by providing grant writing, planning, and event management services. Eve Peterson led the effort to build CFAF’s grant-readiness by helping develop program goals and objectives, logic models, and budgets. Grant proposals have secured critical program and operating funds. With funding from a capacity building grant, CFAF engaged GfG to draft a comprehensive development and revenue plan, which has created greater board engagement in development and led to sustainable program growth. GfG has also helped CFAF market income-generating programs, plan and execute its first major fundraising event, and develop annual appeal language.

“Working with GFG is like having an extra senior staff member. Our partnership has given us the capacity and the confidence to build more robust fundraising efforts. I am very proud of the goals they helped us set and achieve!” – Jaime Endreny, Executive Director

Every capital campaign is tough, but few are as challenging as the one for the Fort Washington Armory in Upper Manhattan. Campaign consultants had concluded that because the Armory lacked an obvious fundraising base a capital campaign was not feasible. The leadership at The Armory Foundation turned to Katherine DeFoyd to help find the resources critical to realizing their vision of a multi-purpose community center. Today, the Fort Washington Armory — a 90-year old building occupying half a city block — serves 100,000 young people a year and is home a 60,000 square foot arena and Olympic caliber track, the National Track and Field Hall of Fame, and a community technology & learning center.

“Katherine DeFoyd is one of a kind. Katherine has always been proactive, prepared and creative, able to match the growing needs of the Armory Foundation with available funding sources. During her tenure she has personally directed this institution to over fifteen million dollars of capital and programmatic funding without which the Armory would not be what it is today. Her success is directly related to her vast experience in governmental affairs and the enormous confidence elected officials have in her judgment and ‘track record’ of following through.” – Norbert Sander, Jr. M.D., President

In 2006, the Lower Eastside Girls Club was approaching the end of a nearly decade-long struggle to conclude a $15 million dollar capital campaign. Katherine DeFoyd was hired to help find the difficult last dollars for a state-of-the-art LEED Gold facility to house all Lower Eastside Girls Club activities for 1,500 low-income girls and families. By overseeing the organization’s relationship with the City and helping secure the final dollars, Katherine was instrumental in bringing the project to realization.

“We had become so frustrated by our seemingly endless stream of useless consultants we were overjoyed to find Katherine who stepped in, rolled up her sleeves, and helped us reach our goals. Our partnership has been both fruitful and fun.” – Lyn Pentecost, Executive Director

The National Dance Institute (NDI) hired Growth for Good to manage its $20 million capital campaign. A key strategic component of the campaign was a goal of $8.5 million in board-designated reserves and funds intended to help NDI secure its future. Growth for Good helped NDI develop a detailed Capitalization Plan to provide for operating reserves, mission-related funds and a building reserve. This plan became the basis for NDI’s successful funding request to the Kresge Foundation for a $800,000 Institutional Capitalization grant.

Growth for Good was instrumental in drafting and compiling both the pre-application and the winning proposal. Led by Eve Peterson, the GfG team worked closely with NDI staff and board members to identify strategic goals, business drivers, plans for growth, additional staffing needs and financial scenarios. Together, Growth for Good and NDI drafted a three-year Business Plan, a Capital Campaign Fundraising Plan, an Addendum to NDI’s Strategic Plan, a Funds and Reserves Policy, Projected Balance Sheets and Organizational Budgets, a Systems Replacement Plan, Proforma Investment Scenarios, and the Capitalization Plan.

“Growth for Good was the linchpin of NDI’s Capital Campaign. The GfG team provided expert strategic guidance and financial modeling which directly led to the successful completion of Phase 1 of our Campaign. Their expertise proved invaluable behind the scenes, in front of donors and in our board room.” - Kathy, Landau, Executive Director

Over the past 85 years, Ramapo for Children successfully expanded their summer camp business to include Ramapo Training and recently launched other relevant fee-based services to build greater organizational stability. Over the past three years, Claudia Zeldin has helped Ramapo with program expansion and communications planning, including market research, communications auditing, search engine optimization and website integration design. Most recently, Ramapo for Children hired Growth for Good’s marketing team to create a re-branding campaign refining their overall organizational mission and “look,” while creating targeted and coordinated marketing materials for their four core programs.

“They are open to being called-in on various strategic projects and have always provided thoughtful, solution-oriented advice. They bring a deep understanding of the nonprofit sector and worked well with our staff and board to create powerful new branding that we will serve us well for many years to come.” – Adam Weiss, Executive Director

Design: Jennifer Domer Schuetz

JFCS wanted to expand its supportive programs and services to ensure that Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) Jews be fully integrated into all aspects of Philadelphia’s Jewish community. Growth for Good conducted a national and local competitive market assessment, and then created a program expansion recommendation plan. The plan focused on building JFCS’ internal capacity and operational structure, as well as creating strategic partnerships and earned income opportunities. In the end, JFCS received a three-year business launch plan with comprehensive revenue goals and programming outcomes so that it can better address the psycho-emotional needs of Philadelphia’s Jewish LGBT community.

“Claudia worked with our entire team — JFCS’ leadership, development, program and HR staff, plus our community task force and lead donor — to develop a solid plan for our LGBT Initiative. She has a unique understanding of grassroots advocacy work, program innovation, organizational design, and diversifying funding for success and sustainability.” – Elisa Goldberg, JFCS, Director of Jewish Community Services

The staff and board at Center for Architecture Foundation (CFAF) had never organized a fundraising event but knew they did not want a “rubber chicken gala.” With guidance and hands-on assistance from Joyce Isabelle, CFAF developed a plan for Guess-A-Sketch, a successful and original fundraising event based on Pictionary. GfG helped create a sponsorship packet and pricing structure, identify honoree sketchers, team and event sponsors, and negotiate vendor contracts. In addition, GfG provided on-site management the day of the event and post-event stewardship protocols. The event, which was held in May 2012, exceeded net revenue projections by ten percent and laid the groundwork for a successful and fun annual benefit.

“We could not have pulled off our first event without the help of Joyce Isabelle and the perspective of the entire Growth for Good team.” – Alice Stryker, Development Coordinator, Center for Architecture Foundation

The Support Center for Nonprofit Management wanted to conduct a situation analysis of the NYC nonprofit sector, so that they could best serve the marketplace and communicate their management consulting services and strengths. Claudia Zeldin conducted research among local funders and influencers to define key concerns and opportunities for the Support Center. She created a comprehensive communications audit and assisted the Support Center’s staff and board in refining the organization’s mission and core services. Finally, Claudia completed a comprehensive communication plan that included the creation of newly branded marketing materials and the launch of the Support Center’s Leadership Challenge event programming.

“Claudia was able to critically look at our business and how we communicated our strengths, services and value. She helped refine our language around mission and core services. In just one year, Claudia conducted market analysis research and did a comprehensive communications audit, plus created a newly-branded, impactful marketing package. Claudia’s contributions have been critical to our growth.” – Don Crocker, Exec. Director

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