| Development Assessment & Strategic Counsel
Seigle Avenue Partners (SAP) asked Vandever Batten how to build development capacity for its
bold vision of serving 5,000 at-risk youth in Charlotte-Mecklenburg through the nationally acclaimed
Freedom Schools model. Working closely with SAP’s board and staff, we assessed its current development
program and recommended how to address both the immediate annual funding needs and its five-year plan for
program expansion. Now called Freedom School Partners and recognized nationally for its relationship with
the Children’s Defense Fund, the organization’s increased local visibility has created significant momentum
toward program expansion, even during economic uncertainty.
Goodwill hopes to dramatically increase its capacity to serve the swelling pool of people who
need employment assistance. Long term, that means adding philanthropic dollars to thrift store revenue. To
grow its development program from infancy, Goodwill asked Vandever Batten for search services, market research,
and in-depth recommendations to launch a structurally sound, viable and sustainable development program.
We began with a development assessment that included interviews with board and staff members, other human
service providers, community leaders, and successful Goodwill organizations across the country.
Based on these interviews, Goodwill’s development plan benefited from the perspective of many stakeholders,
our extensive development experience, and the motivation and leadership of LaRita Barber, Goodwill’s
new Vice President of Development. Vandever Batten then analyzed Goodwill’s data function and
provided a package of prospect research to jumpstart their efforts. We continue to serve Goodwill in
an advisory capacity.
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