The Seven Secrets of Successful Capital Campaigns

Posted on June 28, 2018 by Society for Classical Learning

Enrollment and Re-Recruitment: Why do students come to your school? More importantly, why do they stay? Do you know? Are you sure? If not, you are quite possibly jeopardizing your ability to deliver on your mission. Building on the data of the preceding session, we will explore management and teacher strategies that will make a difference in a family’s decision for classical Christian education.

Brad Layland

Brad Layland is the CEO of The FOCUS Group. He lives in St. Augustine, Florida, where he serves on the board of trustees for Veritas Classical School. In addition, he serves on the boards of Young Life St. Augustine, Christian Surfers US, the Reid Saunders Association and Young Life of Greater New York. Brad is an elder at Good News Church. He received his bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida and his master’s degee in theology from Fuller Seminary. For over 35 years, The FOCUS Group has helped nonpro ts raise money more effectively through capital campaign counsel, major donor strategies, planned and estate gifts and training. It currently serves seven classical Christian schools across the United States.

The Capital Campaign A-Z: An Introduction to the Critical Steps

Posted on June 23, 2017 by Society for Classical Learning

For most schools, the launching of a capital campaign is a huge undertaking that often produces fear and anxiety. “How will we ever be able to raise that much money?” This fear can lead a Board and its Headmaster to automatically assume that they must hire a consultant. This workshop will help you not only understand each of the critical aspects of a capital campaign, but will also help you properly evaluate whether or not your school has the necessary resources to succeed without outside consultants.

Tony Jeffrey

Dr. Tony Jeffrey has a Bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies from American Christian College, a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of North Texas. This is Dr. Jeffrey’s 34th year in Christian school administration. He is in his twelvth year as Headmaster of Providence Christian School of Texas and previously served at Trinity Christian Academy for 23 years in a variety of roles. Dr. Jeffrey is married to Kathy and has three children: Cole-29; Clark-28; and Cate-21. Dr. and Mrs. Jeffrey have homeschooled all of their children. Dr. Jeffrey recently served as Chairman of the Board of Summit Ministries.

The Feasibility Study: It’s About More than Just the Money

Posted on June 17, 2016 by Society for Classical Learning

The purpose of a campaign feasibility study is generally intended to provide an answer to the questions of whether or not an organization is ready to proceed with a capital campaign and the extent to which a campaign can be successful. More often than not, the organization’s leaders expect an affirmative response and a specific fundraising goal that they can aim for. Whether or not the desired outcome is achieved, conversations about an organization’s mission and vision, strategic plan, leadership, program, and current and future facilities, matched with the current economy, inevitably stir emotions, elicit honest opinions, and raise important questions about confidence and commitment. Regardless of the fundraising outcomes, a feasibility study can be one of the most productive and enlightening undertakings an organization can commit itself to. Gathering the honest feedback from a strategic group of constituents offers an organization an invaluable reference point for the formation of a strategic plan, the creation of policies and procedures, decisions about hiring, and program delivery. During this session, Jason Lewis will summarize the outcomes of three recent feasibility studies and the mechanics of the BetterSchools process. Jason will describe the personal and professional experiences that each school experienced through the study process. Jason will introduce the 3C analysis and offer examples of how capacity, commitment, and confidence are assessed in the feasibility study process.

Jason Lewis

As BetterSchools’ fundraising leader, Jason Lewis currently assists classical, Christian school leaders in designing and implementing their strategic plan; hiring, training and coaching fundraising professionals; and evaluating their readiness for and execution of multi-million dollar capital campaigns. As the head of school and chief development o cer at a classical, Christian school, Jason transitioned fundraising e orts from a conventional, arms-length approach to a high-touch, major gi s approach with clearly de ned performance expectations for the school’s advancement o cers. The centerpiece of this strategy—a performance management dashboard—has gained recognition among private school and nonpro t leaders as an e ective tool for evaluating and increasing fundraising performance. In 2008, Jason received his initial certi cation as a Certi ed Fundraising Executive (and was recerti ed in 2015) and in 2011, he was recognized as a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Master Trainers. As a complement to his undergraduate studies in business, he completed his master of science degree in Nonpro t Management in 2010.

Considering a Capital Campaign

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Society for Classical Learning

Are you consistently meeting your annual fund goal, or do you find yourself falling short or just getting by? In this session, participants will learn the fundamentals of fundraising: articulating the case for giving, developing leadership, clarifying and growing a prospect list, developing strategies, and building a plan.

Six Keys to a Successful Capital Campaign

Posted on June 26, 2014 by Society for Classical Learning

Are you thinking of launching a capital campaign? Is your current campaign stalled? Come and learn about the six best practices in successful capital campaigns.

Brad Layland

Brad had a distinguished career at Young Life from 1992-2009 serving in various roles within the organization including Field Development Director, Gi Planning Associate, and ultimately the Director of Development. His expertise includes providing fundraising counsel to nonprofit organizations, including workshops, marketing and major donor strategies, planned marketing and capital campaign counsel. Brad is highly experienced in our firm’s training program, Taking Donors Seriously® and FOCUS on Research. A 1994 graduate of the University of Florida in Gainesville, he earned a B.A. degree in Communications Studies. He completed his M.A. in Theology from Fuller Seminary in Pasadena, CA in 2004.

Steve Godfrey

Steve has worked in high-trust positions serving wealthy individuals, corporate executives and business owners for nearly two decades. His experience is diverse but the common thread is his ability to understand the needs of the people he’s serving and develop creative solutions to help them succeed. In the nonpro t sector he has served on the board of a local preschool for at-risk children, and has many years of experience serving on YoungLife area committees, and assisting in their support-raising efforts using Taking Donors Seriously®.

Demystifying Effecting Fundraising

Posted on June 29, 2012 by Society for Classical Learning

Far too many organizations remain content with the most ineffective fundraising strategies characterized by mediocre events, low response rates, and high staff turnover. In this workshop, Jason will demonstrate that there are no secrets when it comes to raising extraordinary gifts, hiring a rock-star fundraiser and evaluating fundraising performance. With the help of three unorthodox planning techniques, Jason will show you how to develop an effective fundraising plan that aligns with your organizations’ mission and vision.

Jason Lewis

Real Life Stories: Two Capital Campaigns in a Down Economy

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Society for Classical Learning

John Heaton and Leslie Moeller will share the details of their two school’ successful recent capital campaigns. Geneva School kicked off its first ever capital campaign in November 2008 immediately following the crash that became the worst recession in recent history. At the time, the school enrollment was just under 400 students and they offered grades K through 10. Three years later, the campaign has raised $6.5 million and funded a new upper school campus and a competition gym. New Covenant Schools went public with its first capital campaign two weeks after 9/11. Since that time, the school has grown to nearly 375 students, conducted a second campaign and is now heading into a third phase this summer, the economy notwithstanding. Heaton and Moeller will share the good, bad and ugly of raising money in tough times.

Leslie Moeller

Leslie Moeller has been a member of the School Board for Geneva School of Boerne, Texas for four years and has served as President for the past two years. Geneva has just completed its eleventh year and has a student enrollment of approximately 460 students in Kindergarten through twelfth grade. In addition to her board responsibilities, Leslie is one of two coaches who started the Geneva Forensic Team which competed in tournaments throughout the state and qualified for the State Championship Tournament this past spring. Leslie has previously taught middle school language arts and debate and served as Head of School at Geneva. She holds a BA in English Literature and Economics from the University of Virginia and she has a J.D from Boston College. Her two sons are in eighth and eleventh grades at Geneva and she has a three year old daughter still at home.