SuddesGroup

“Putting Off Boot Camp Would Have Been A Disaster!”
My first day using shoulder to should approach I learned at Impact the man I was speaking with told me I came at the worst possible time. He had lost 200 million over the last three days. He was ready to end the meeting “I almost made the mistake of putting off Boot Camp because my social-sector start-up had almost no money at all. Luckily, I attended For Impact’s Boot Camp and the results…
My vision grew…
My fundraising confidence grew…
& my schedule is now filled with visits to qualified prospects.

Putting off Boot Camp would have been a disaster. Not only am I a better fundraiser, but I’m running my organization at a completely higher level.”

Mike Del Ponte, Founder
SparkSpeed
San Francisco, CA

 

“We are now asking and getting more zeros…”
Thanks to this training, we are now asking and getting more zeros. We received a $400,000 investment yesterday (yes, yesterday while the Dow dropped 400 points or whatever). This is ten times bigger than any investment we have ever received, and we are just leaving the first 100 days in our 1,000 day funding plan.

This investment is directly related to For Impact’s training. Simply put: we moved from the ask based upon a substantial need to an ask based upon our vision and strategic direction. Consequently, targeting and tracking the qualified prospect around this “big number” became incredibly easy.

Peter Schrappen, Development Director
Washington Health Foundation
Seattle, WA

 

For Impact Provided a Motivational Turning Point For Me
The Suddes Group Boot Camp focused me and my entire organization on several simple steps/processes that so many of us intuitively think we know, but unfortunately don’t implement. The For Impact Point of View is so fundamental it is frightening and their “in your face” reality check really provided a motivational turning point for me.

I think we all tend to put forward excuses and noise as to why we can’t raise more resources. I think there is a certain amount fear that this training helps breakdown and overcome. It really is all about “visits”…but why don’t more of us do this? Attending the Suddes camp will help you move through these fears and obstacles and learn how and why each of us has the ability to make a huge impact on our organization’s mission, particularly during this incredibly uncertain economic environment.

Patrick Grace, Executive Director
Catholic Diocese of Cleveland
Cleveland, OH

 

“For Impact provided a motivational turning point for me…”
“The For Impact Boot Camp is the best training that I have ever attended in this field, or frankly, in any field. The training was a reality check – we ARE selling our mission, there ARE people who want to help, and it really IS that easy. It took our everyday thoughts and turned them around to develop a stronger/more educated stance on the topic. We were forced to work together, think outside the box, and leave behind the “assumptions” of the non-profit community.

One of my favorite lessons was how to GUIDE a conversation to the goal you had pre-determined, and how to tailor your details and ask towards the view that your donor has. For Impact TEACHES each one of the campers how to SHOW their donors the IMPACT they are making. Once you leave a For Impact Training — the education and confidence is really amazing! You will realize it days later as you are spitting out the words/lessons you learned to others every day.”

Cate S.

 

“Put it on the credit card, sell your computer, do whatever you need to get there…”
“If you want to put your worries behind you, get to a For Impact Training. I would guarantee you that you’ll make up the spare change it costs to attend as soon as you get in front of some qualified prospects. However, that means you actually have to understand what a qualified prospect is and how to actually sell your organization’s vision to them. I’m involved in getting an office started up for the FOR IMPACT organization I work for and this training completely changed our approach. If you can’t take what you learn at this camp and raise thousands of dollars to make up the cost of attending…I honestly think it’s time for you to consider finding a new career. I was new to the sales world (yes I said sales, not fundraising) and it’s made a world of difference for me. Our local board chair (retired with decades of executive experience in companies throughout North America) attended as well and he has already recommended the training to some of our colleagues! Put it on the credit card, sell your computer, do whatever you need to get there…I assure you it will be worth it.”

Jack Knellinger, Development Director
Youth Venture
Seattle, WA

 

For Impact Transformed Our Organization
“I am the only fundraiser in my organization and also implement all the programs, a virtual one man show. The For Impact Boot Camp showed me how to make the most of my time. Right after the training, I visited my largest potential donor and got a commitment for a lead donation on a $5 Million Project. A week later I followed up with a $10,000 commitment (via phone call) from a company that previously had never donated and a $25,000 donation for a company that had a giving average of $1,000/year. I have transformed an organization that functioned on a $200,000 budget into one that will realized over a million dollars before the end of this fiscal year and we will have a huge impact because of it! Now more than ever a trip to the Boot Camp is worthwhile. Next week I hit the road again with a goal of $400,000 before the first of November and I’m sure I’ll get it! It isn’t about making an extra $10,000 at your Gala event. It is about making an extra $100,000 from those that you can engage with your impact! I love it and my Board loves it. Now more than ever For Impact organizations need this training. Or stay in your office and worry about the economy, that just means more money for those of us that aren’t afraid to go get it.”

Rusty Stachlewitz, Program Director
The Lawn Institute
East Dundee, IL

 

Raised $800,000 in Three Months
“I know all about tight budgets. A trip to a For Impact training needs to be a top priority. I have attended several trainings – This was the only one that made a difference to my bottom line. This training made all others seem like a waste of time and money. It is essential. We used to raise about $200,000 per year and we’ve already raise $800K in three months coming out of the training.”

Jennifer Wojcikowski, Development Director
Campana Academy
Schererville, IN

 

$750K And Bigger Things To Come
“Your training has had a great return-on-investment. We made a big leap in our fundraising after being with you. I can say we’ve raised at least $750,000 as a direct result of what you’ve taught us. I’m sending our entire team to your training camps this year… looking forward to many more successes.”

Scott Morgan, Founder
Education Pioneers
San Francisco, Chicago, D.C., Boston, Houston, Los Angeles and NYC

 

$100,000 Commitment Out Of Boot Camp
“Nick and Tom, some good news to report since last month’s training camp. Bishop Hendricken High School received its largest Annual Fund gift – A $100,000 matching gift from a distinguished alum. I give you both a great deal of credit for giving me the tools to make this happen.”

Denny DeJesus, Development Director
Bishop Hendricken High School
Warwick, RI

 

Thankful We Took A Time Out To Attend
“Great fundraising for us used to be increments of $5,000 and $10,000 [on an annual operating budget of $500K.] It has been a hand-to-mouth operation. In fact, we had wanted to come to a For Impact Training for some time but we’ve always been ‘too busy.’

The Custom Training Session helped us to think bigger and it provided a practical road map for immediate success. After leaving Ohio [six weeks ago] we started on the action plan that you helped us develop around our funding plan, priorities and prospects. We’re having great success… we’ve already raised $250,000 and we have much more on the table. In fact, we’ve even made our first $1M ask!

As an organization, we’ve always struggled to capture the impact of what we do. You solved that. In a moment, everything became very clear. Also, developing a way to clearly communicate our impact has helped us to become more confident in what we do. We’re now also much more comfortable discussing large investments with our qualified prospects.

Another benefit has been our renewed ability to connect with and engage board members. They’re very excited about the ‘business thinking’ that is evident in this approach. It helps to answer questions they’ve had about how they can help.”

Pablo Maldonado, Vice President of Development
Life Perspectives
San Diego, CA

 

“You have helped us think BIGGER…”
“You have helped us become much more focused in engaging major investors and have empowered us to think (and ask) much BIGGER than we were before – going from ‘getting by’ to forging ahead. For example, a grant investor from whom we requested $20,000 in operating support denied our request. After attending your two-day training, we arranged a site visit for the trustee and presented a compelling opportunity for the foundation to invest in us. We received $65,000 from them following the meeting. We NEVER would have asked this BIG had it not been for For Impact.”

David Gay, Executive Director
Lower Lights Ministries
Columbus, OH

 

“Without a doubt, the minute we met up with For Impact was the minute our vision became a reality.”
“We had not yet opened, and we were bumbling, fumbling, and stumbling through the best practices and methods of nonprofit ‘experts.’ For Impact’s sage advice was amazing – simplifying the goals, the message, and the short AND long-term funding plans. Without a doubt, the minute we met up with For Impact was the minute our vision became a reality. The philosophy is amazingly simple – you share your story with someone who already appreciates your impact, then you match your funding opportunities with their interests… our funding has gone through the roof.”

David Rivera, Founder
Nativity Prep School
San Diego, CA

 

We simplified everything and saved a lot of time
“We saved years of planning … The board has been revived from the dead … Our materials are simpler … We are much more bold about being serious agents of change …”

Sister Rita Larivee, Publisher
National Catholic Reporter
Kansas City, KS

 

For Impact Gave Us A Road Map
“After the first day of Boot Camp, I thought, ‘I need to be here.’ It was life changing for me. I had volunteered to be the co-chair of our $6 million capital campaign while working in the for-profit world. I left the training thinking, ‘There’s no way we can’t do this if we do what we learned here.’ What struck me was the emphasis not on the fundraising, but on our IMPACT on the community. That really drove everything for me. I learned that if you can communicate effectively the impact you have on your little piece of the world, the job of raising funds isn’t very difficult; things just fall into place.”

Cathie John, Board Member
Care and Share Food Banks
VP of Finance, Pepsi Cola Bottling
Colorado Springs, CO

 

A Great Return on Investment
“For Impact radically changed the way we promote our food bank, which directly affects our fundraising. Our entire staff and board are now on target by promoting what we do in exactly the same way. We received our largest gift ever ($800,000), which had a lot to do with our new For Impact business model. The best part of the For Impact message is that it’s so simple it’s almost embarrassing to have to pay for it – but it has paid us back 1000 times over.”

Gary McDonald, Executive Director
Care and Share Food Banks
Colorado Springs, CO

 

Eureka! We Solved Our Message Problem
“Before the training, we were really struggling with our message. We have so many facets making it difficult to tell the story. Nick personalized our message and trained us how to communicate our vision. He was marvelous and helpful. For us, it was ‘Eureka!’”

Annette Lomont
Abbey of New Clairvaux
Vina, CA

 

“For Impact cuts through the noise…”
“For Impact helped keep us moving forward with training and coaching on major asks and early development of our new President’s Circle Program. During that time we were able to secure a seven and an eight figure gift – the largest in the Center’s history from an individual. Also, our President’s Circle Program has now met and exceeded its charter year goal of 150 members in only seven months! In a nutshell, the For Impact team’s message and style are motivational. They cut through the noise and help us focus on our core message. They encourage action, and action gets results. We endorse For Impact’s services for any For Impact organization!

Nancy Greenwood Veers, Sr. Director, Principal and Major Gifts
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
Seattle, WA

 

“A whole new level of fundraising…”
“On my first major gift ask, I was sweating, my heart was beating, and… I GOT IT! For Impact changed my vocabulary, which gave me confidence. Success breeds more success! I was looking at my organization more as a business than a ‘charity,’ and seeing ‘donations’ as investments. I could say to my potential investors: ‘This is a wise investment–you really should be doing this.’ The For Impact training led us to a whole new level of fundraising capabilities. We are making new relationships now that are helping us in a very big way and we believe our most ambitious goals will soon become manifest. I will always be grateful for the guidance provided by For Impact. It was a small price to pay for an enormous value.”

Patty Williams, Executive Director
The Hatlen Center for the Blind
San Pablo, California

 

“Best training I have ever attended…”
“I’ve had two sales jobs before my current role in development. I’ve been to months of ‘sales training’ previously. Your two-day training is the best sales training I have ever attended.”

Marissa Brooke Sanchez, Senior Relationship Officer
St. Pius X High School
Albuquerque, NM

 

“Since the Boot Camp we have truly made a Quantum Leap…”
“Thank you so much for a great time at this past October’s Boot Camp. We are now a SOLD OUT, DIE HARD, NO HOLDING BACK ‘For Impact’ organization. Since the Boot Camp we have truly made a Quantum Leap. Our Impact is clear, our message is powerful, and our people are on the move.

In the past four weeks we have heard people say, ‘That’s exciting! Count me in. I’d love to get involved.’ In this short amount of time, we have had investments given and pledged over $24,000. We’ve even had people who we’ve visited say, ‘This is great. I’ve got a friend that I want to share this with, is that okay?’ We are absolutely thrilled about the transformation that For Impact has had on the ministry. We are most excited to see the impact of Arrowhead continue to multiply.”

Ben Myers, Camp Manager
Arrowhead Ministries
Brackney, PA

 

A Career Highlight
“For Impact is the the impetus for our Major Gifts Program. You are the catalyst that broadened our organization from a transactional, event oriented company to a relationship management based company. One of my career highlights was traveling the state with Tom, watching him train our volunteers and staff on messaging our vision. The Vision Card he created for us is simply brilliant!”

Jeff Davis, COO
American Cancer Society, Ohio Division
Columbus, OH

 

“Our Board is energized…”
“As a result the Custom Training For Impact delivered here in DC – We have received $262,000 as a result. We are delighted with the results and the Board continues to be quite energized with the process. We are grateful for your training and for getting us focused on a positive path. We have additional requests ($45,000) outstanding. We also have a great ‘vision card’ that we can use with investors. It is beautiful and inspirational. THANK YOU for teaching us how to make all of this happen.”

Simone Campbell, Executive Director
Network
Washington, DC

 

It Works For The Little Folks, Too!
“Please tell others about our success. We’re not a huge university or national organization. We’re a volunteer-driven animal sanctuary in Florida. After your training, we presented one of our top prospects with an opportunity for $120,000 and he said, ‘Yes.’ I believe in For Impact and your sales process, and I will be sharing your information with other animal-related organizations.”

Judith Yevick, Board Member
Animal Refuge Center
Ft. Myers, FL

 

Tangible Results and a Focused Board
“The training had tangible results. Right away we generated $90,000. [The training] has helped us redefine the board as being beyond board members – they’re organizational champions and now they have a really simple message around which to focus.”

Kelly Cody-Grimm, Development Director
Global Health Action
Atlanta, Georgia

 

Outcome: Dramatic and Different.
“You’ve brought tremendous clarity to Battelle for Kids. As true entrepreneurs, you helped us to go a different direction. We decided to change the entire fundraising model and become a ‘For Impact’ Business. That was the best decision we ever made. You helped us become something much more dramatic and different.”

Jim Mahoney, Executive Director
Battelle for Kids
Columbus, OH

 

“Charged with energy and completely practical.”
“I attended the Fundraising School. That was boring and academic. This (For Impact Training) was totally different. It was charged with energy and completely practical.”

Sherry Smith, Major Gifts Officer
St. Louis Children’s Hospital Foundation
St. Louis, MO

 

Revolutionary and Right on the Money
“The For Impact training was instrumental in initiating the change mentality. Without change, we become stagnant. Even though we’re 125 years old, we still need to think in terms of GROWTH and CHANGE and how well we SHARE OUR STORY. To sum up the training, I would say, ‘It ROCKS! It’s revolutionary! It’s right on the money!’ It’s been very exciting to see that we can do something NEW and get NEW results.”

Sarah Cherne, Executive Director
American Red Cross, Great Bay Region
Portsmouth, NH

 

Boot Camp Transformed Our School
“For Impact brings you back to common sense principles and then gives you actual tactical skills to lay it out in an effective way. They move beyond the process of ‘what to’ to ‘how to.’ That is the significant differentiator with this organization. We needed to truly transform [what we were doing] to get investors on board. Within days of the training we had generated $80,000! We are now on a path to a significantly different place than we have been. We are no longer focusing on the ‘next 50 hours’ – we are providing the financial support to ‘dream the 50 year dream’.

Dave Meurer, Board Member
St. Pius X High School
Albuquerque, NM

 

“He Cut a Check on the Spot and Committed to Helping Monthly.”
My first day using the ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ approach I learned at For Impact – the man I was speaking with told me I came at the worst possible time. He had lost $200 million over the last three days. He was ready to end the meeting with that sentence when I quoted the scripture below.
And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him. And the man waxed great, and went forward, and grew until he became very great: (Gen 26:1,12-13)
We ended up talking for three hours; he cut a check on the spot and committed to helping monthly. The time spent at the For Impact Boot Camp gave me tremendous confidence. The confidence to look a guy that just lost 200 million in the eye and say it is time to give!

Rocky Malloy, President
Mission Generation
US, Bolivia, Canada & The Netherlands

 

“The For Impact Bootcamp is a Must in Today’s Environment.”
“The For Impact Bootcamp is a must in today’s environment. There is no better time to get out there and “Just Ask”. Too many organizations will make the mistake that within this current financial climate they can’t raise money. They couldn’t be more wrong. You can’t afford to fall into the trap of paralysis by analysis. Be proactive. Go to bootcamp. Get the skills you need. Then go out and raise a lot of money for your mission.”

Jeremy V.