Portfolio

 Beginning in 2015, we developed and implemented a grant writing program for Backpack Buddies, a small start-up organization with big plans to end childhood hunger in our community. With a compelling case for support and strategic targeting of potential funders, the program became a game changer for the organization: in 2015, grants totaled $35,000; now the program brings in over $1.5 million annually.  

We began working with Paws for Hope in 2016. As a young organization, Paws for Hope had established a foothold in the BC animal welfare community as a change maker but needed to develop their fund development capacity in order to affect the kind of change they envisioned. Paws for Hope engaged us to carry out an assessment of their fundraising activity and potential. We also developed a case for support and created a multi-year fundraising plan that would create a solid foundation for the organization to grow. Since then, we have been supporting the organization to implement that plan, resulting in annual revenue and organizational capacity that has quadrupled in that time.  

As President of BC Artistic Swimming, RaeAnne led an organizational review, mapping, gap analysis, and restructuring of the entire organization. This led to re-structuring the organization under three strategic pillars, re-staffing the organization with the expertise needed for each pillar, and re-organized the volunteer structure. This was guided by a clear public values statement and was supported by new bylaws, policies, and a risk management plan. BCAS is now positioned to support all members across the province, has established strategic relationships with its funders, and is recognized as a sport leader in British Columbia.

Although we have worked on numerous and larger capital campaigns, the Best Beginnings Campaign for new birthing rooms at BC Women's Hospital was a career highlight. A model campaign and a case study in the power of having the right team in place, we raised $1.2 million in 9 months in the Foundation's first ever capital campaign and transformed the image of the Foundation among its stakeholders. It was a privilege to be a part of it. 

The first project we worked on as a consulting firm was to create the Caring Hearts Circle for the Heart and Stroke Foundation of BC & Yukon. We first conducted a research project of mid-level donor programs in North American health charities and with that knowledge, created the structure and roll-out plan for the program in BC. We continued to implement and evaluate the program for ten years with revenue increasing by 400% from mid-level donors over that time.

In 2013, we conducted a capital campaign feasibility study for Powell River Library - one that went "off road" compared to traditional feasibility studies. Designed to test the feasibility of three potential campaign models, the study was also intended to generate public interest and build relationships with potential donors. The study included stakeholder interviews plus a community-wide automated survey. The study identified a definitive campaign model, showed overwhelming public support, generated media attention, and inspired a multi-million-dollar municipal investment in the project. The new library opened in July 2017.