kwnwgrant
ACSI has received a generous grant from a northwest foundation. This grant will strategically build the capacity of ACSI member schools in the Northwest Region this coming year. It provides a 100% scholarship for registration to be trained in the Benevon model for sustainable funding for school operations.
Interested schools from ACSI's Northwest Region should fill out the attached application and return it to development
2009 Northwest Grant Announcement Letter
2009 Northwest Grant Application
Testimonials from 2008 ACSI Benevon NW Schools
What fund development activities were you using before implementing the Benevon model?
What challenges did you face in preparing a team to attend the 101 workshop?
Did you find the Benevon 101 workshop helpful? What did you take away from it?
Besides financial, what other benefits did you receive from this disciplined approach for donor cultivation?
Would you recommend other schools to the Benevon model and training?
What fund development activities were you using before implementing the Benevon model?
- We relied on a variety of lesser fundraising activities (car washes, auctions, etc). There was not a single model such as Benevon that we followed.
- We have one major donation seeking event each spring which addressed only the immediate needs and/or shortfall of that year. Additionally, we had SCRIPT sales, candy sales and other time-consuming small money-makers.
- We have been holding an annual Auction where we raise over $100,000 in general funding and scholarships.
- Our school used (and is still using) a variety of fundraising activities. In the fall our biggest fundraiser is a nice dinner/auction and in the spring we bring in a special outside speaker and have a huge banquet. The spring banquet has been our largest annual fundraiser every year.
- We had an annual auction along with select, smaller fundraisers throughout the year.
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What challenges did you face in preparing a team to attend the 101 workshop?
- Finding a quality team. The time commitment of the team leader is tremendous. It takes an organized and detail-oriented person, but one that also has effective communication skills.
- Finding individuals who were committed and had the time to attend. This was an eight hour drive one way.
- The challenges we are facing is educating our donors on the transition, especially since the events are two weeks apart this year!
- Our biggest challenge to attending the 101 workshop was simply finding the funds needed to pay for airfare and the hotel rooms. However, we felt that the need was so great to find new ways to raise funds that we sacrificed and found the money we needed to make the trip.
- Time away, finding volunteers to go to the workshop.
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Did you find the Benevon 101 workshop helpful? What did you take away from it?
- The workshop was very helpful but also very overwhelming. The model is well laid out but very detailed. We came away from the workshop with a good plan, a detailed approach on how to implement, and several ways to check our progress.
- Very helpful in causing us to reflect on and better articulate our mission. We developed a very effective, systematic way to show outsiders what great things we do here. Through our POEs, we have already generated interest in new families attending our school. Early on we realized how important it is to have someone on our staff become at least a part-time development officer.
- Very, very, helpful. A quick follow up on just the mechanics of an Ask Event and POE would be beneficial.
- We did find the Benevon training very useful. It gave us a whole new frame of reference when looking at developing a donor base that chooses to donate because of what our ministry represents as opposed to simply participating in a fundraising event or purchasing a fundraising product. So far, the most signifcant thing we took away from the training was the POE event. Regardless of what funds these events may help raise in the future, we all feel that we have learned an excellent technique for promoting and marketing our school.
- Yes, it was very helpful! There was strength in seeing we weren’t the only ones working to raise funds for our schools. We didn’t have to re-invent the wheel—the Benevon model was tried and proven to work. That the model is “do-able.” The exercises for creating stories and telling them was very helpful.
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Besides financial, what other benefits did you receive from this disciplined approach for donor cultivation?
- We are finding that focusing on our POE events forced us to recalculate how we show the school to perspective parents. We are seeing a significant enrollment jump, much earlier than normal as a result of the POE events. This plan has also given our school board, faculty and school families hope that there is a way out of the financial difficulty that has been holding our school down for a number of years.
- This truly is the best PR program that we could have. If there are any misconceptions about our school, they will be erased. It is gradually causing us all to acquire a marketing perspective for our school.
- Changing how everyone looks at sustainable funding and the importance of our mission. What is the compelling reason people would want to support what we do?
- The Benevon model is about a very deliberate process; to share the ministry and vision of our school with as many people as possible. We feel that this can be an excellent tool for increasing enrollment, as well as identifying donors who share the same vision for Christian education. A side benefit is that the process also helps to remind our staff and board about our purpose and vision on a regular basis.
- It got us focused and organized. It helped us to articulate who we are as well as to have a consistent message as we market our school in the community.
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Would you recommend other schools to the Benevon model and training?
- Yes. It is a daunting challenge that takes a tremendous amount of hard work and a willingness to "stay the course."
- No hesitation. But they must realize what a significant, ongoing commitment this approach is!
- Yes!
- I would definitely recommend that schools seriously look at investing in the Benevon model and training. We are not far enough along in our first year to be able to know how the Benevon model will translate into increased funding, but we have been very pleased with the process that they use to hopefully get us there.
- Yes! Absolutely! One other thing we’d like to pass on is about the professionalism of our coach, Marcy. Our coaching calls are very helpful—she listens to what we’re doing, listens to our problems and concerns, and gives us great information to help us keep going and keep us on track. Thank you!
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