Fund Development, Audit & Multi-Year Planning

Ashley|Rountree and Associates can help you plan and launch a new major gifts initiative, or strengthen and expand your existing program, lifting your program to new heights.

Our approach is based on the collective, hands-on experience of our staff and associates who together have assisted in assessing and strengthening more than 300 major gift programs across the nation. We work side-by-side with you to assess your program and assemble the building blocks of a successful major giving program, including identification of top prospects; creation of a strong case for support, gift policies, and standards; building a clear plan for cultivation and gift stewardship, and coaching volunteer leaders and staff on the fundamentals of listening, probing for affinity, asking for a gift, and overcoming obstacles. Our major gifts philosophy has a donor-centric approach, focused on building and cultivating long-term relationships with key major gift and legacy giving prospects.

As major gifts counsel, we understand that no two organizations are exactly alike. We can provide as much or as little assistance that your staff, volunteers, and budget requires – everything from a major gifts “start-up” program (such as analyzing your database, creating a plan and structure, assisting in recruitment and training of volunteer leaders, and refining prospect lists and strategies) to simply providing targeted, strategic support for key elements of your major gifts program, such as prospect identification and strategies or volunteer and staff training.

In addition, we can provide:

  • Development of marketing metrics and KPIs (key performance indicators): We will work with you to identify those performance indicators that are most important to your organization. The recurring review of these measures will provide a basis for strategic decision-making and help focus attention on what matters most to your organization.
  • One-time campaign analysis: The creation of marketing analysis to analyze communication campaigns and donor and fundraising events’ return on investment, including year-over-year trends/comparison.
  • Customer/donor loyalty analysis: We can analyze and profile your current donor database to identify their potential lifetime value, the current lifecycle stages, retention, and how to build and maintain their loyalty. 
  • Database marketing strategy: We will work with you to understand your current donor and potential donor database, the communication channels used, and previous campaigns. Ashley|Rountree will strive to identify enhanced strategies and analysis to maximize your campaign results.

Success Stories

Spalding University, Louisville, KY

Challenge
At the end of its last major capital campaign, Spalding University faced a presidential transition and turned to us for guidance on its major gifts and planned giving programs.

How We Helped
Ashley worked closely with the university’s leadership team and board to identify new donors to approach for major gifts, as well as recommended initiatives for reaching out to prior donors for renewed support.

Outcome
Spalding successfully raised more than $15 million on a $10 million goal.

Hosparus, Louisville, KY

Challenge
As the region’s leading hospice care provider, Hosparus turned to our team for direction and counsel for a capital campaign, as well as an evaluation of and recommendations for changes to the annual giving program.

How We Helped
Our consultants provided structure and recruiting strategies for campaign volunteers and directed efforts to cultivate and secure major gifts. We also conducted a deep assessment of all annual giving efforts and worked closely with family care staff to create a new concept in asking for support from families who benefited from Hosparus care.

Outcome
After reimagining the organization of staff and a comprehensive, 30-county prospect screening program, the campaign reached its goal. Further, Hosparus implemented its first-ever Grateful Families giving effort, a program that continues to flourish today. 

Volunteers of America Mid-States, Louisville, KY

Challenge
Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA) sought assistance with a strategic initiative focused on community engagement.

How We Helped
Our team evaluated VOA’s major gift program and focused on increasing corporate support in the Louisville metro area.

Outcome
We identified qualified prospects and strategies that uniquely aligned with VOA’s mission, developing winning strategies to secure new gifts and consulting on potential future board leadership for the organization. Throughout the project, our consultants remained on-call to provide timely coaching and guidance to senior staff.