Sample Client Briefs

Bethany Center Foundation is a non-profit, nonsectarian residence that provides quality housing and services to lower-income people, with a priority to serve San Francisco's multi-ethnic senior population. MLA worked with the board and senior staff to develop a Development Assessment and Business Plan. We are acting as Bethany Center Foundation's off-site development department, facilitating the implementation of the Foundation's first ongoing Annual Campaign.

Arc of Butte County ensures the opportunity for special needs children and adults with developmental disabilities to realize goals which advance and enhance their quality of life. MLA is entering its second year of an annual proposal-writing campaign for general operating and infrastructure support and capital investments.

Eastern Sierra Institute for Collaborative Education supports innovative educational partnerships which enrich the understanding of the environment, science and culture. MLA worked with the board and senior staff to develop an Organizational Assessment and the client's first Strategic Plan.

We are facilitating the implementation of the Plan, which will include: finding solutions for short-term cash-flow challenges, optimizing year-round programming, and designing and implementing an ongoing Annual Campaign.

Sutter Lakeside Hospital is Lake County's largest healthcare provider. MLA served as year-round Development Consultant for the hospital in 2008. In this capacity, we were responsible for the expansion of all aspects of annual fundraising activities, including grant writing, board training, database design and management, major donor campaign and all individual and corporate giving. We facilitated the hospital's first capital campaign, raising over $120,000 in 7 months and bringing in another $100,000 in matching funds. We continue to provide guidance and support of high-end fundraising work.

Lake County Land Trust is a regional conservation organization dedicated to protecting important land resources. We are in our third year working with LCLT. To date, we have led their annual board retreat, updated their Strategic Plan and developed a comprehensive, multi-year annual campaign that includes a new member acquisition and member retention plan, direct mail appeals, grant research, proposal writing and reporting.

Cantabile Youth Singers became an independent organization in 2008. MLA was brought in to work with the founding Board of Directors to reframe the Mission Statement, identify and clarify board job responsibilities and foster a culture of fundraising throughout the organization.

Youth Homes, Inc. offers comprehensive quality group-home treatment programs and therapeutic services for abused, neglected, and delinquent children in Contra Costa County. MLA is entering its third year of an annual proposal-writing campaign for general operating and infrastructure support and capital investments. MLA raised over $130,000 in new grant awards in 2008.

Breathe California (BCA) was formerly the American Lung Association of Silicon Valley. In 2007, we facilitated the creation of a new Strategic Plan. In 2008, we conducted a statewide grant-writing campaign for five BCA affiliates. In 2010, MLA will conduct an endowment campaign. For the American Lung Association of Silicon Valley, MLA implemented a diversified fundraising program that included: expanded grant writing, a vehicle donation program, program-related special events, and an improved direct-mail campaign.

Community Institute for Psychotherapy provides quality mental health counseling services to low-income individuals and families in Marin. MLA secured sponsorship for their first major mental health conference, held at the Marin Civic Center in 2007 and again in 2009 and 2010. Additionally, MLA manages the delivery of sponsor benefits including media placements and sponsor liaison for CIP.

Kea Foundation, Inc. is dedicated to preserving, protecting and perpetuating indigenous Hawaiian culture. Kathleen Morgen currently serves as Vice President of the Foundation's Board of Directors. MLA provides ongoing non-profit management consulting and fundraising and is currently spearheading a $100,000 fundraising campaign.

New Connections is a provider of counseling and recovery services. MLA's accomplishments included bringing new grant funds to New Connections' HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse and Mental Health programs. As New Connections' Director of Development, Kathleen Morgen designed a successful, comprehensive capital campaign that raised $675,000 in six months.

Joe Goode Performance Group is an internationally acclaimed, San Francisco-based dance company. MLA implemented the company's first ongoing individual and major donor campaign, now in its 3rd year. The campaign includes: optimizing database utilization, ongoing design and implementation of annual direct-mail appeals, design and coordination of cultivation events, year-round board training and support, and regular interaction with the company's principal donors.

Midsummer Mozart Festival is the only music festival in North America dedicated exclusively to Mozart. MLA implemented a 12-month grant-writing campaign for general operating support and partnered with the Executive Director on annual appeals and donor recognition activities.

Tri-Valley Conservancy is an agricultural land trust in Alameda County. We designed TVC's first comprehensive annual campaign. This effort began with a comprehensive capacity assessment. The annual campaign includes grant writing, board training and a targeted direct mail appeal focused on educating and expanding TVC's donor base.

Social Advocates for Youth offers counseling, behavioral services, a youth employment center, adult mentoring, tutoring and case management for Sonoma County youth. In 2006, MLA facilitated the creation of SAY's first Strategic Plan, partnering with key staff and the Board of Directors. MLA facilitated the most recent annual board retreat, and is currently assisting in the design of SAY's annual fundraising campaign.

The Pence Gallery is a non-profit art gallery and cultural museum offering museum-caliber exhibitions and educational programs in the heart of downtown Davis. MLA revamped Pence's membership program through the design and initial implementation of a 3-year New Member Acquisition and Member Retention Plan. MLA is partnering closely with the staff and board, building on the organization's successes and strengths.

Creativity Explored is a San Francisco-based art studio and gallery for mentally disabled adults. MLA served, on a consulting basis, as the organization's “Director of Development.” In this capacity, we were responsible for the expansion of all aspects of fundraising, including grant writing as well as individual and corporate giving. We produced CE's first-ever fundraising event, SF Notables, doubling the net revenue by over 100% in the second year. The event continues to be a pivotal fundraiser and friend-raiser.

Burbank Housing Development Corporation is a non-profit dedicated to increasing the supply of housing in Sonoma County for low-income people. MLA launched Burbank's first direct-mail fundraising effort. MLA is partnered closely with the staff and executive director to develop direct-mail packages that accurately reflect the organization's mission and programs, and to develop infrastructure to support ongoing direct-mail campaigns.

Sogan Foundation a San Francisco based non-profit, aspires to bring hope and opportunity to disadvantaged communities. MLA provided fundraising and board training, working closely with Sogan Rimpoche, his translators and board officers to map out a capital campaign strategy for their science and technology school in Golok, Tibet.