SERVICES
How can we help you?
Long-term, meaningful success of any nonprofit rests on the strength and engagement of its Board of Directors.
Whether your nonprofit uses an Advisory Board format, or the more traditional Board of Directors, this group of volunteers must have a heart for your mission AND be the heart of your mission.
The challenge faced by so many groups is determining what a “strong” board looks like for their unique set of circumstances. Who do you need sitting at the table when important decisions are made? Who does your nonprofit want and need as your mission ambassadors—raising awareness and much needed funds?
Of course, sometimes the questions sound more like –
“How do we evaluate our current Board?”
“How do we recruit a best-in-class Board?”
“How do we train our Board?”
“How do we effectively engage our Board?”
Just a quick search on the internet and you will quickly discover that an actively involved, well-informed and diverse Board is an important key to success. Thus, assuring that your Board works cohesively, aligned with the organization’s mission, vision and its values, is vital
That’s one area where the Bridge Consulting Group excels. The Bridge not only sets you on the right path, but; accompanying you, pointing out important sites and stops along the way. With more than 100 years of combined diverse nonprofit experience, the Bridge Consulting Group knows how to come along side you and your organization to cultivate your Board as the precious asset it is…or can be.
Because we understand no two clients are the same, we don’t offer ‘cookie-cutter’ programs or fill-in the blank reports. Rather we take time to get to know your organization and its needs. Once we are comfortable in our belief that our customized expert service matches your needs, we will prepare a proposal for how we can work together to further your mission—making the world a better place.
There are many wonderful organizations that help people, animals, the environment and specific causes. In order to help potential donors see the good work your programs are doing, it’s important to give them specific and accurate information about the cause. However, just as important is showing individuals the message behind the cause to help them truly understand the importance of their involvement in the program.
A case statement is a document that explains the mission for your programs. From a factual standpoint, a case statement should explain what the program is, what problem is being solved, as well as financial information such as what percentage of donations go to the program and what percentage goes to administrative costs.
However, it provides more than just the basic information about what the program is or who it benefits. A case statement is the real message behind the facts and statistics. It should answer questions like:
What is your program really trying to accomplish?
What makes it worthwhile to get involved in?
Why is it important?
Why should I consider investing in the opportunity?
Once the individuals are drawn into the program, the case statement will provide specific information about how they can help the cause.
Your nonprofit organization’s case statement is the marketing piece that draws people to your cause. But, more than that, it gives them a chance to learn about your program so they can see if it matches their drive for making a difference. The Bridge helps its clients craft their marketing message and convey compelling reasons how individuals can meet their personal needs through support for this cause. Let us help you get others to learn how they can meet their goals for giving.
In the nonprofit industry having effective management and reliable service is a prerequisite to building a bridge to longevity and success. There is nothing more important than nurturing the vision of your nonprofit, promoting its values and making a difference where and when it matters. The work to create a successful and lucrative nonprofit requires more than just a passion to make a change.
The associates at The Bridge Consulting Group understand that your success is their success. They provide exquisite service that can help your nonprofit make its mark where and when it is needed.
Their approach to success is innovative and a well strategized plan of inclusive and exclusive services geared to your organizational needs. The image and input your nonprofit provides is paramount. The significance in creating a relationship with your constituents based on trust is invaluable. The Bridge will guide your nonprofit to have an infallible understanding of the industry and your role in it.
There is nothing comparable to the reward of working along with your supporters with confidence. The professionals at The Bridge Consulting Group take the task of Community Development as a crucial component to their strategy of bridging the gap of nonprofit groups and their communities. The goal of putting your organization where it needs to be is done with a clarity and ease of best industry practices that are inclusive of; the implementation of tools that encourage more community engagement; leadership assessment strategies; community awareness and education in addition to other invaluable tools.
All of the services of The Bridge Consulting Group have an underlying goal to help nonprofits establish the tools that can help them to become self-sufficient. The services of the professionals at The Bridge Consulting Group are comprehensive; there is no part of the nonprofit industry that they are not equipped to educate you about. The knowledge and experience of the professional team is backed by over 100 plus years of experience collectively. This is the difference that makes the choice to let them guide your organization into success undoubtedly the most intelligent and easiest choice you will have to make in regard to your nonprofit.
The international expat community is an untapped resource for many international fundraising organizations. This group represents a wealth of monetary, volunteer, and informational resources. Let the Bridge Consulting Group support your efforts in creating a sound strategic plan that can help you be more efficient in your fundraising efforts.
Identify the expat community – Where does the expat community do business? What events, organizations, or restaurants do they frequent? Think of ways you can partner with these organizations so that you can build relationships.
Involve the expat community in your organization – Prepare a newsletter or an email list and send out updates on your work two or more times per month. Utilize social media to post pictures of your events and projects in the field. Then ask your followers to get involved with specific roles and time commitment needed. Pinpoint a volunteer coordinator who is able to be visible in the community, answer questions, and send out information in a timely manner.
Provide opportunities for international corporations – to support your mission in the countries you work. Corporations appreciate being connected to a worthy cause. Many often have community development departments that are responsible for responding to requests for their involvement. Introduce yourself to these departments. Ask them to underwrite your fundraising activities. Let them know about your volunteer opportunities. Write op-ed pieces for newspapers and websites discussing how the corporation’s support has made a difference in your work.
Build a voluntary leadership team – with local business, community, and diplomatic leaders. Diversifying your leadership team will allow your organization to take advantage of resources from a variety of places.
Create international donor trips – to educate contributors that can help facilitate your mission. Donors want to see where and how their funds are being used. Creating a yearly trip that incorporates your organization’s work with learning about local culture, food, religious practices, etc. will help your donors to feel a strong connection to the outcome of the projects they donate to.
The Bridge Consulting Group can help you give voice to your organization’s work, making you much more attractive to international donor organizations.
Leadership Change
Leadership changes bring uncertainty and ambiguity to the new leader and the remaining staff members. Learning each other’s communication style preferences takes time and an open mind.
The Bridge Consulting Group will take new leaders and the existing staff through the introductory stages with a Transition Conference. The Transition Conference, by design, initiates positive working relationships in a short period by learning the communication preferences of the staff. Exercises for the staff include:
- Revealing how long they have been with the organization
- Demonstrating an understanding of the organization’s values and mission
- Describing the job they do
- Explaining past experience, education and training
- Sharing 2 or 3 personal successes
- Present 2 or 3 obstacles blocking the flow of effective output
- Describe the management style needed to promote optimal output
Leadership goals in a new environment
A new leader also transitions into the position as he/she meets the people with whom he/she will work with. The Transitions Workshop sets these goals for the new leader:
- Learn the experience, education and training of each staff member
- Where your team members come from
- Understand the depth of knowledge they have about the organization
- Evaluate the understanding of organizational values and its mission
- Learn the communication style preference of the staff
- Express your management/leadership style [goal setting, decision making, accountability, etc.]
- Offer your communication preferences
The Transition Conference accelerates the transition process for everyone by introducing the Integral Typeworks Communications Preferences method:
Leadership Team Building
The Integral Typeworks method teaches you:
- To understand the four primary Communication preference styles
- To understand your own personal preference
- To learn how to recognize the preferred style of others
- Learn how to shift your style to meet the other person’s preferences
This portion of the workshop helps to release trapped energy inside staff members for better use in the organization.
Understanding the individual to understand the whole
The Integral Typeworks method opens communication allowing an understanding of the complexity of individual lives operating in complex living systems. Through the introduction of a common language, each aspect of life will improve.
The workshop allows you to understand your communication preferences, which will help you:
- Find insight into the uniqueness of you
- See your blind spots
Workplace and personal conversations become more effective and meaningful through practicing Integral Typework’s strategies.
(P.S. All pre-workshop facilitations are based on modern practices of the Myers-Briggs method.)
A keystone of successful strategic fund development lies in your major gifts program. Many of the same steps you would take for general fundraising can be carefully replicated in your courtship and stewardship of major donor relations, but there’s more to it than that.
At the Bridge Consulting Group, we guide you through the best practices for developing, growing and sustaining major gifts, as well as how to use an effective donor management system to keep track of your efforts. Keeping records of your moves helps you stay on target while recruiting major donors, while also gaining knowledge about which efforts have met with the most success.
Every successful major gift program traces back to the important steps of fundraising:
- Identify – You will need to research current donors and create a plan to cultivate their investment
- Interest – Through personal contact you will learn their passion for giving and how to connect that your mission and programs.
- Information – Provide these donor prospects with the information that tracks with their passion. Then, keep careful track of information about their values and assets and your interactions with them.
- Involve – Offer opportunities for the donor prospects to become involves as a volunteer to programs, committees, board membership, etc.
- Invest – Encourage the donor’s investment in a program that meets their needs/passions
As part of our strategic fund development efforts, an effective database of information will help at every step of the process. You risk making wrong moves and losing prospects if you do not keep track of what actions you have already taken.
Your moves management system should keep records of all communication. Each donor’s file should include information about:
- Dates of communication
- Topics discussed and plans made
- Info gained about assets, values, interests, experiences
- List of actions (phone calls, mailings, meetings)
- Upcoming birthdays, networking events, and other opportunities
How do we help you get started with your Major Gifts? It’s a collaborative effort for sure, but we are here as your trusted partners to ensure success;
- We help you identify the initial list of major gift prospects
- We work with you to design your initial cultivation plan
- We help with the research required
- We work with your team to spearhead the plan implementation
- Monitor and evaluate all results
Your major gifts program will also need to include best practices of stewardship after a major donation. After the appropriate acknowledgements [up to 7 separate ones], the relationship should continue with proper stewardship such as invitations to volunteering opportunities and regular program updates. Eventually, the cycle will begin over again and you will have the information you need to begin anew.
Download our free eBook on Major Gifts & Planned Giving today!
Thriving nonprofit organizations thrive on sound organizational structures, reputation and consistent donations. When funds wane to a significant degree, it can be difficult to pick up the pieces and get a nonprofit back on its feet. Outside help can benefit nonprofit organizations by providing a critical, non-biased look at the structure, market and sustainability.
The Bridge Consulting Group offers its Organizational Health Assessment Program (OHAP). This is an outstanding, comprehensive assessment positively impacting the entire organization. This is a far more robust analysis over conventional Organizational Assessments. OHAP creates the starting point for your nonprofit to move forward in accomplishing your mission. You will know specifically what is working and what is not working.
Financial and Development Assessments
OHAP will assess the financial and operational health of your nonprofit. The Bridge Consulting Group will conduct an extensive financial analysis including in-depth reviews of past results, current position and future projections. The result is a comprehensive assessment of the financial sustainability over the next three to five years. In addition, OHAP will evaluate all elements of the fund raising process and the plans that support these initiatives.
Leadership and Board Assessment
An organization is only as good as the team leading it. OHAP will evaluate leaders and managers to formulate clear and concise training and development programs. A nonprofit Board should be a catalyst in many areas, including fundraising. Included in the OHAP is a top to bottom review of the Board.
Strategic Planning and Execution
Based on the results of the OHAP, The Bridge Consulting Group works side by side with your team to plan the strategy that will address the challenge areas. The team will design a support program to offer specific, detailed recommendations that take you through strategy to detailed execution plans.
When our team of highly qualified professionals completes the OHAP process, you will have a clear roadmap of the four key areas that must be operating at peak efficiency. The assessment report will include detailed, specific initial, mid-range and long term recommendations for moving forward in a creative, business-like manner. Knowing your financial health and the strength of your fund-raising efforts, understanding the effectiveness of the board and how to develop it, assessing the capability of your leaders and developing plans to boost their success is vital to sustainability and growth.
The recruitment process The Bridge Consulting Group offers is in partnership with Carr Assessments. The team from The Bridge has been involved in hiring CRD professionals at all levels from major gift and planned giving directors to divisional directors of development. Further, they have participated in and lead search teams for other senior management positions in the business and legal areas.
Carr Assessments has been an industry leader in employee selection, assessment, organizational planning, leadership and team development, career transitioning, and succession planning for over 40 years. Carr’s professionals have created a technologically advanced system that integrates multiple psychological tools into custom reporting programs that help clients make better talent and development decisions.
Both The Bridge and Carr Assessments are continuously looking for ways to meet and exceed client expectations. Our staff maintains active participation in professional organizations, stays current with respect to changes in the legal environment, and evaluates new measures as they become available.
Following are some of the questions we find common to most organizations.
In response to your enquiry we carefully address questions such as:
- what does our search process include?
- what is required from the client
- the projected time frame for the search process
- testing / filtering systems do you utilize to identify prime candidates
- communication on efforts and progress in your search
- successes in similar professional personnel searches with other organizations
- additional information about our efforts, experience and qualifications
- are there guarantees included with this process?
For more specific information about how The Bridge can support your recruitment efforts, contact your Bridge representative by phone at (888) 958-0425, or by email at bob@thebridge.pro, or paul@thebridge.pro, or kurt@thebridge.pro
Strategic Vision—The Roadmap for Nonprofit Organizations
Every organization, whether nonprofit or for profit, needs a strategic plan that helps guide their decision making process. Strategic visioning creates not only the foundation for an organization but also defines the structure around which a nonprofit organization functions. Without a solid and well-developed strategic and shared vision, an organization becomes more like a sail boat that drifts in the ocean without the wind.
What is included in strategic vision planning?
Strategic visioning is more than defining the common core values, mission statement and goals for an organization. It functions as the roadmap that helps steer the entire operational structure – from identifying problems and threats to finding the best specific action steps to overcome those issues. A functional strategic vision is based on the evaluation of both the internal and external environments of an organization; only when the big picture is taken into consideration, can organization understand and assess its strengths and weaknesses, establish its place, and begin to function and grow optimally.
The main principles of a strategic visioning for a nonprofit organization include:
- Discovering the common core values.
- Development of mission
- Creation of vision statements.
- SPOT analysis (strengths, problems, opportunities and threats)
- Establishment of goals
- Building action steps
- Evaluation of results
What are the benefits of a strategic vision?
Your organization is as strong as its weakest link. A strategic vision is vital for getting everyone in the organization on the right path. It allows an organization to identify problems and challenges and, most importantly, improves problem solving to help overcome these issues quicker; having an optimized strategic vision will become the roadmap for the entire organization.
The 5 direct benefits of a strategic vision include:
- Better communication of goals and objectives.
- Development of ownership and collaboration within the team.
- Establishment of operational priorities and optimization of organizational resources.
- Ability to measure progress and achievements.
- “Team Building” that will ultimately allow organizations to accomplish so much more.