June 6, 2006
In preparing for a trip to Lithuania to meet with one of our international clients, I did all the typical things one does for transatlantic travel: I studied the history and geography of the region, learned a few key phrases and exchanged some American dollars for Litas. I felt reasonably prepared for my journey, but as often happens when one visits a new place - particularly a new culture - there were some surprises.
While there is evidence of the long, turbulent history of Lithuania (the country just declared its independence from the former Soviet Union in 1990), there also is proof of progress. The interesting mix of old and new - from breathtakingly beautiful churches, hundreds of years old, and farmers plowing their fields with horses, to colorful new architecture and hotels with high-speed Internet - Lithuania offered it all.
I was especially intrigued by the differences in attitudes among the older generation who have found adjusting to "self-rule" more challenging than their younger counterpart. One area in which young and old alike do not differ is in their common distrust of others - a residual effect of the Soviet system.
Lithuania Christian College (LCC) is reaching beyond its borders to bring the principles of philanthropy within the grasp of a newly sovereign society - providing an opportunity for young Lithuanian men and women to benefit from a benevolence we in this country often take for granted. Hartsook Companies is honored to be a part of this effort to bring education and core values to this developing country, and we applaud the role LCC's leaders have played in developing a new generation with an enlightened and altruistic outlook.
- Norma Murphy, Senior Vice President (Kansas City) norma@hartsookcompanies.com
In this issue: More than $71.5 million in new or recent gifts, including 12 of $1 million or greater.
• The Salvation Army - Fox Cities (Appleton, Wisc.) recently received a $37,500 commitment from WE Energies (Milwaukee, Wisc.), through the Wisconsin Energy Corporation Foundation. This brings the total raised for the "Making a Difference ... One Life at a Time" campaign to more than $1.4 million toward a goal of $3.3 million. The campaign is to renovate a newly purchased church to become the Worship and Community Center; and to house the Corps, children's learning center and youth, family and senior programs. They plan also to renovate the administrative offices and the current Social Services Center that houses the men's shelter and the noon meal program. Special congratulations to Major Larry Cowper and the Campaign Cabinet. - Susan Schneweis, Executive Vice President (Kansas City)
• TLC for Children and Families' (Olathe, Kan.) "Bringing Our Children Home" capital campaign has posted significant progress in recent weeks. With gifts and pledges at nearly $8.2 million toward the campaign's $9.6 million goal, momentum remains strong. Recent commitments include $677,000 from an anonymous donor, and gifts from the following Kansas City foundations: $100,000 from the William T. Kemper Foundation, $75,000 from the H & R Block Foundation, $35,000 from the Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation and $10,000 from the Oppenstein Brothers Foundation. Congratulations to Campaign Honorary Co-Chairs Terry and the Hon. Peggy Dunn; Campaign Co-Chairs the Hon. Jon Stewart and the Hon. Barbara Allen; CEO Bob Drummond, EdD; and Vice President of Grant Administration and Endowment Development Tim Keeton. - Matthew J. Beem, MPA, CFRE, President (Kansas City)
• Truman Medical Centers' (Kansas City, Mo.) inaugural Fashion for a Cause benefit for TMC Women's Health programs, specifically the teen outreach program, raised more than $90,000. With more than 600 in attendance, guests enjoyed individualized clothing demonstrations, along with beauty, skincare, hairstyling and etiquette insights. The event featured a runway show with 55 local professional and teen models wearing clothing and accessory items from local stores. Guests extended their generosity by bidding on 71 luxurious silent auction items. The event involved 38 underwriters, 100-plus in-kind gifts and 100-plus active volunteers. Congratulations to event Co-Chairs Gwyn Prentice and Missy Neville who led a capable team of volunteers. Perhaps the greatest success of the event is how these two co-chairs are connecting TMC and its Foundation with new and younger donors, prospects and volunteers. - Robert F. Hartsook, JD, EdD, Chairman and CEO (Wrightsville Beach, N.C.)
• Kansas State University Foundation's (Manhattan) "Changing Lives" $500 million comprehensive campaign to infuse new funds into virtually every dimension of the university recently received a commitment of $1,621,000 from Dean and Sharon Spencer (Netawaka, Kan.) to establish the Dean and Sharon Spencer Defensive Football Scholarship and the Dean and Sharon Spencer Offensive Football Scholarship. By endowing athletic scholarships, the Spencers will be recognized as part of the newly formed Ernie Barrett Athletic Endowment Society. The Spencers' gift was established through a Charitable Remainder Unitrust. Gary and Peggy Edwards (Houston) made a gift of $420,000 to the Edwards Engineering Dean's Scholarship and $100,000 to establish a new scholarship, the Edwards English Scholars program. As well, ConocoPhillips (Houston), Mr. Edwards' former employer, will donate an additional $20,000 in matching funds for a total gift from the Edwards of $540,000. Other recent commitments include: a gift of $52,000 from Donald and Linda Dressler (Irvine, Calif.) to establish the Donald and Linda Dressler Dance Scholarship; a $50,000 gift from Kip and Dee Williams (Manhattan, Kan.) through the Ernie Barrett Athletic Endowment Society to establish the Kip and Dee Williams Men's Basketball Scholarship and a $50,000 commitment from Barbara Weigand (Oneonta, N.Y.) to establish the Barbara Weigand Scholarship in Apparel Marketing. - Bob Hartsook
• Girl Scouts of Mid-Continent Council (Kansas City, Mo.) received a $3,123 gift from Henkel, an international company based in Düsseldorf, German, in support of its $10.085 million capital campaign to expand and renovate five camp properties: "Camp. Where Girls Grow Strong." The campaign is nearing $7.6 million in gifts and pledges. Congratulations to Campaign Co-Chairs Cathy Lewis and Joan Ruff, Council CEO Karen McGuigan and Director of Development Marcia Greig. - Ron Fredman, APR, Senior Vice President (Kansas City)
• Community Children's Project - Teton County Day Care Center (Jackson Hole, Wyo.), the result of a major community-wide coalition with the City of Jackson, Teton County, the local hospital and school district, recently received word that the project aimed at building a new, state-of-the-art Early Childhood Development Center for the children of Jackson and surrounding communities, was one of the projects approved to receive $6 million in Specific Purpose Excise Tax (SPET) over the next three years. The balance of funding needed for the $11.2 million day care center will come from private, state and federal grants and private fundraising. The excise tax is a voluntary one percent tax imposed on all retail sales in Teton County. With about 40 percent of retail sales being made by tourists and second homeowners, nearly $4 million annually in SPET money will come from out-of-towners. Teton County Day Care Center hopes to open in Fall 2008. Congratulations to Executive Director Peggy Marie Smith, Board President Steve Brandenburg and Fundraising Chair Lisa Price.- Laurie B. Ward, MS, Senior Vice President (Grand Rapids, Mich.)
• Montana State University - Billings Foundation announced in May that it was at $23.1 million in gifts and pledges exceeding its $21 million goal for its "People Pride & Promise" campaign - the university's first comprehensive multi-million dollar campaign. The announcement came at the fifth annual meeting of the Foundation's National Campaign Leadership Council. The council of 55 members from across the nation has served as the volunteer "team" for the campaign. National Campaign Chair Bruce Parker (Read Point, Mont.) shared the news publicly at the Foundation's 14th Annual Wine Festival that same day. "I am very proud of the volunteer leadership, the professional leadership of the Foundation and the campus community led by Chancellor Ron Sexton. Because of their courage, perseverance and dedication we are forging ahead to $25 million." - Robert G. Swanson, President (Wichita)
• The Jones Trust (Emporia, Kan.) has collaborated with Unified School District No. 253 (Emporia) and the City of Emporia to complete a $450,000 renovation of historic Soden Grove's ballpark in the east central Kansas community. The trust is funding half the project while the city is funding 75 percent of the remaining balance and the school district the remaining 25 percent. The Emporia Baseball Club unveiled plans earlier in the year for the proposed renovations. The Club collaborated with the various park and baseball stakeholders in the community to create this funding strategy. American Legion, Kansas State High School Activities Association and the local school district baseball all will utilize the facility. - The Emporia Gazette
• Avila University (Kansas City, Mo.) has been granted $377,000 from the Public Improvements Advisory Committee (PIAC) for funding of the Avila University Santa Fe Trail recreational path, part of the "Embracing the Future: A Special Initiatives Campaign for Avila University." The $14 million capital campaign will provide for campus beautification, a recreation path to line the historic Santa Fe Trail, technology improvements and increase support for the university's endowment. PIAC received 1,176 requests for this next fiscal year - Avila was selected through a review process. In addition, Avila recently held their 30th Annual Steer Dinner & Auction, Kansas City's longest running charity dinner and auction, where they raised more than $300,000 for student scholarships. Congratulations for Event Honorary Chairs Richard and Shirli Goppert, Event Chairs John and Nancy McCarthy and Event Vice Chairs Tom and Virginia Coppinger. The auction was facilitated by the Nigro Brothers. - Bob Hartsook
• Faith Mission (Elkhart, Ind.) received a $20,000 gift from WFRN Radio (Elkhart) and a $5,000 pledge from DJ Construction (Elkhart) for its $4.9 million campaign to expand facilities and capacity. Campaign contributions are approaching $1.5 million. Congratulations to Campaign Chair Terry McKay and his cabinet members, Faith Mission Executive Director Tobe Swihart and Director of Development Mike Perez. - Ron Fredman
• Camp Fire USA Heartland Council (Prairie Village, Kan.) received a $10,000 gift from the Hall Family Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.) and a $5,000 gift from the Sprint Foundation in support of the Community Family Club Program. Congratulations to CEO Stacey Brown. - Tammy Grampsas, Senior Consultant (Kansas City)
• Marillac Center for Children (Overland Park, Kan.) received an "angel" gift earlier this month when a retired couple, new to the Kansas City area, learned about the organization in the local paper. Upon reading the article they called Marillac to schedule a tour to learn more about the organization. Following the tour, they asked for a packet of information and pledge form. Less than a week later, the couple pledged $400,000! What a great gift this is for the "Brighter Tomorrows" campaign bringing the total raised to more than $7.5 million toward their $8 million goal. Congratulations to Director of Development Bridgette Brooks. - Susan Schneweis
• The Salvation Army USA Western Territory (Long Beach, Calif.) received approval on six proposals for Kroc Centers and will receive funds to build and endow Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Corps Community Centers. The Western Territory oversees operations in the 13 western states. The Territory received a $250 million share of Joan Kroc's $1.5 billion-plus gift to The Salvation Army, enabling six centers to begin construction soon. The following sites were selected for development: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho; Honolulu, Hawaii; Long Beach, Calif.; Phoenix - South Mountain, Ariz.; Salem, Ore.; and San Francisco - Tenderloin, Calif. - eMediaWire
• Humane Society of the High Plains (Hays, Kan.) recently received a surprise $2.4 million gift from the estate of Donna Limes (Hays), a retired administrative assistant for Southwestern Bell. Ms. Limes, a long-time supporter of the Humane Society, was remembered as an animal lover who occasionally stopped by the shelter with supplies and made modest gifts over the years. According to Humane Society President Rose Arnhold, the funds will be used for much-needed shelter upgrades. - The Lawrence Journal-World
• Carthage Crisis Center (Carthage, Mo.) last month received a $380,000 challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation toward their "Hope for a Better Tomorrow" campaign to expand facilities and programs to provide homeless families and individuals with shelter, spiritual and personal guidance and supportive services. Congratulations to the Carthage Crisis Center Board of Directors and Campaign Leadership Committee and specifically to Carl Bowers, John and Joni Dyer and Executive Director Brian Bisbee for the powerful presentation they made to the Mabee Trustees. Special thanks to Brian and Marilynn Bisbee for their hard work on the application. - Jennifer Aday, MS, Senior Vice President (Kansas City)
• Recent gifts and pledges to the Notre Dame de Sion's (Kansas City, Mo.) "Building on Excellence ... A Blueprint for the Future" campaign brings the total raised to $7.2 million toward the $17 million goal. The Parent Campaigns at both the Locust and Wornall Campuses were very successful this school year. Special congratulations to Locust Parent Campaign Chairs Anne and Pascal Mascaux and Wornall Campaign Chairs Leslie and Shawn Chalmers. With two wonderful new facilities built as a result of monies raised, an Activity Center at the Locust Campus (Montessori through 8th grade) and a new Athletic Center and Grande Salle at the Wornall Campus (all girls' high school), students are enjoying the much-needed new space. Congratulations to Head of School Alice Munninghoff and Campaign Chairs Bob and Jeannette Reintjes, Jr. - Susan Schneweis
• The University of Texas (Austin) received a $50 million gift from the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (Austin). A large portion of the gift, $38 million, will match other donations dollar-for-dollar to help UT-Austin establish the Dell Pediatric Institute next to Dell Children's Medical Center of Central Texas; $2 million of the gift will create the Michael & Susan Dell Center for the Advancement of Healthy Living, a research and obesity prevention center on the Austin campus to be run by the UT Health Science Center at Houston School of Public Health; and $10 million will be a matching gift to help build a Dell Computer Science Hall. - Austin American-Statesman
• St. Paul's Episcopal Day School's (Kansas City, Mo.) capital campaign continues to expand strongly. Gifts and pledges to the campaign, which seeks $12 million for capital and endowment funding, stand at $2.3 million. Congratulations to Campaign Co-Chairs Tom and Jill McGee, Head of School Liz Barnes and Director of Development Mary Kirkpatrick on the campaign's strong success. - Matt Beem
• The Parenting Place (Wilmington, N.C.) recognized SunTrust banks for five years of support in the Annual SunTrust Fashion Show and Silent Auction held at the Landfall Country Club (Wilmington). The Parenting Place is dedicated to breaking the cycle of child abuse through intervention, prevention and education. Congratulations to Executive Director Karin Cox for a successful event. - Bob Hartsook
• Grand Valley State University (Allendale, Mich.) received a $1.5 million challenge grant from the Frey Foundation (Grand Rapids, Mich.) to establish the nation's first endowed chair focusing on family philanthropy, and specifically family foundation formation, management and grantmaking practices and teaching effective operating techniques to foundation trustees. The Frey Foundation Chair will be established at the Dorothy A. Johnson Center for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Leadership. To meet the challenge the university must raise $1.5 million of a $5 million endowment campaign for the Johnson Center. - Grand Valley State University
• The New Community Center for Claremont, Inc., (Claremont, N.H.) received a $10,000 pledge from Leo and Tawnya Courtmanche and family (Claremont). The organization is charged with raising $3 million, part of a public-private partnership that collectively seeks to raise $7 million for a new community center in Claremont. Congratulations to Campaign Chair Jim Feleen, Honorary Chair Candy Crawford, Director of Claremont Parks and Recreation Scott Hausler and their entire team. - Ron Fredman
• Purdue University (West Lafayette, Ind.) kicked off the Chicago portion of its "Campaign for Purdue" by announcing $6.7 million in gifts: Bob and Salley Weist (Chicago and Koloa, Hawaii) made a $3 million gift including a $1.5 million unrestricted deferred gift to the President's Fund, $750,000 for an endowed chair in the College of Education and $500,000 for an addition to the Forney Hall of Chemical Engineering; Tellabs Foundation (Naperville, Ill.) committed $2.7 million and Motorola Foundation (Schaumburg, Ill.) gave more than $1 million. To date, "Campaign Chicago" has raised $90 million toward its $100 million goal. The campaign is part of the university's $1.5 billion "Campaign for Purdue" that has raised $1.33 billion and is scheduled to end in July 2007. - Murray Blackwelder, Purdue University Senior Vice President for Advancement and Hartsook Companies Vice Chairman (West Lafayette, Ind.)
• Shawnee Mission Medical Center (SMMC) (Merriam, Kan.), for the second straight year, has received national recognition from Solucient, the leading source of health care business intelligence, naming the hospital one of the nation's 100 Top Performance Improvement Leaders. Solucient has previously honored SMMC as a 100 Top Hospital® in 2002, 2004 and 2005 - distinguishing the facility as the only hospital in the Kansas City area to earn the honor. SMMC earned designation as a 100 Top Performance Improvement Leader for developing consistent and organization-wide performance improvement across critical measures at a faster rate than other U.S. hospitals from 2000-2004. These measures include quality of care, operational efficiency and financial performance.
• Susan Miller, CEO of Rose Brooks Center (Kansas City, Mo.), a shelter for domestic violence victims, received the second-annual Women's Lyceum Founder's Award. Beth Zollars, Lyceum founder, said Miller is innovative, believes in staff-driven initiatives and looks for ways to make profound change. The Central Exchange's (Kansas City, Mo.) Women's Lyceum, a regional leadership conference that aims to inspire, innovate and create vision, drew about 830 attendees during its fourth annual event.
• The Board of Directors of Hartsook Companies, Inc. met for their quarterly meeting on Wrightsville Beach, N.C. Board member Merwyn Hayes (Winston-Salem, N.C.); Secretary of the Board Jim Tangeman (Wichita) and Chairman and CEO Bob Hartsook were in attendance along with the company's Leadership Cabinet including Hartsook, President Robert Swanson, President Matt Beem and Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer Shelly Chinberg (Wichita). Appreciation goes to Dr. Tangeman and Dr. Hayes, who, as non-compensated trustees, work to ensure the highest degree of practice and ethics are adhered to on behalf of Hartsook Companies' clients and employee owners.
• The Avila University Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Ron Slepitza as the fourth president of Avila University (Kansas City, Mo.). Dr. Slepitza is currently the vice president for student development and special counsel to the president for strategic planning at Xavier University (Cincinnati, Ohio).
Success Stories "Harvesters is the Solution" is one in a series of success stories from the ASR Philanthropic Publishing Reference Collection. This four-page, full-color presentation highlights the successful completion of the $11.5 million capital campaign of Harvesters - The Community Food Network (Kansas City, Mo.). As Kansas City's only food bank, Harvesters facilities had served at capacity for many years. In order to continue providing the many services they offer to a growing number of individuals and more than 550 other agencies in the area, a larger facility was simply a necessity. Through the efficient use of time and resources, appropriate research before solicitations and consistently and continually telling their story Harvesters succeeded. The campaign helped increase the organization's visibility in the community, but more importantly it increased the organization's ability to fulfill its mission.
If you would like a free copy (or a list of all Success Stories from the ASR Reference Collection), contact Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com, or follow this link http://www.ASRpublishing.com.
"Not forgetting our employees also are donors and wish to contribute to our mission, we run an annual employee campaign, 'The Power of Potential,' through payroll deduction contributions. A $4 per month median gift leads to $100,000 in annual pledges." - Michele Crane, The Bethphage Foundation (Omaha, Neb.)
If you are interested in Best Practices, check out these additional resources from Hartsook Companies:
• "Reality Fundraising: Proven, Practical Ideas for the Enlightened Fundraiser" by Bob Hartsook (2005, ASR Philanthropic Publishing).
• "Best Practices Coast to CoastSM"
• "Another Two Dozen Best PracticesSM"
• "Hartsook Best Practices CollectionSM"
For a free copy of any or all of the "Best Practices" collections, please email Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com, or visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/bestpractices2.shtml. We also invite you to contribute your own best practice by emailing Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com
Hartsook consultants are available to speak to your organization on a variety of topics. Visit the Speakers page of our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com to read more or email Tami Druzba at tami@hartsookcompanies.com.
• Terry Kyle presented "Balancing Current Gifts with Planned Gifts" during the Texas Baptist Development Officers Association Conference on May 1 in Arlington, Texas.
• Ron Fredman presented "Building a Powerful Brand" in Knoxville, Tenn. during a consortium of nonprofit organizations on May 9.
• Robert Swanson presented two sessions on May 15 during the AFP Mid-America Fundraising Conference in Wichita: "How to Get Million Dollar Gifts and Have Donors Thank You" and "Fundraising in a Rural Environment." On May 18, Robert presented "Craft of the Ask" to the Montana Chapter of AFP in Billings, Mont. Robert will be a panelist discussing capital campaigns during the Salvation Army Central Territory Development Conference in Chicago on June 22.
• Matt Beem presented "Entrepreneurs as Philanthropists" on May 16 in Wichita during the AFP Mid-America Fundraising Conference.
• Vern Henricks presented two sessions on May 16 during the AFP Mid-America Fundraising Conference in Wichita: "Maximize Your Annual Fund - Ideas from A to Z" and "Would You Please Consider a Gift ... Board Members Making the Ask."
• Susan Schneweis presented "Development 101 ... Getting the Most from Your Development Department" on May 18 during the 2006 Oklahoma Department of Human Services Residential Licensing Conference in Norman, Okla.
• Laurie Ward will speak during the Panama Medical Missions Clinic Fundraising Dinner in Mount Clemens, Mich. on June 17. She will talk about the importance of staying close to your mission and the resulting benefits of doing so.
• Bob Hartsook will present "How to Get Million Dollar Gifts and Have Donors Thank You" and "Getting Your Ducks in a Row" during the PSI Philanthropy and Leadership Conference in Jacksonville, Fla. on June 29.
So far in 2006, Hartsook Companies is serving 135 contracts on behalf of clients in 71 cities in 19 states and the nations of Lithuania and Kenya with Campaign Assessments, Development Operation Reviews and ongoing campaigns. Recent new clients and contract extensions are listed below representing 29 organizations in 21 cities in 11 states.
• Adult Development Center (Rogers, Ark.)
•
American Red Cross Catawba Valley Chapter (Hickory, N.C.)
• America's Second Harvest of Greater St. Joseph (St. Joseph, Mo.)
• Camp Chippewa (Tulsa, Okla.)
• Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Omaha, Inc. (Omaha, Neb.)
• Children's Center for the Visually Impaired (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Clydesdale Soccer (Wichita, Kan.)
• Family Life Center, Inc. (Riverton, Kan.)
• Girl Scouts of Mid-Continent Council (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Girl Scouts of the Midland Empire (St. Joseph, Mo.)
• Graceland University (Lamoni, Iowa)
• Harvesters - The Community Food Network (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Helen Woodward Animal Center (Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
• Jewish Community Relations Bureau/AJC (Overland Park, Kan.)
• Kansas Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics (Lenexa, Kan.)
• Kansas City Parks & Recreation (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Kansas State University Foundation (Manhattan, Kan.)
• Rose Brooks Center (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Sabes Jewish Community Center (Minneapolis, Minn.)
• Special Additions (Stillwell, Kan.)
• Sunset Zoo (Manhattan, Kan.)
• The Burford Project (Arkansas City, Kan.)
• The Carver Academy (San Antonio, Tex.)
• The Danish Immigrant Museum (Elk Horn, Iowa)
• The Parenting Place (Wilmington, N.C.)
• Truman Medical Center Charitable Foundation (Kansas City, Mo.)
• United Way of Elkhart County (Elkhart, Ind.)
• Village Shalom, Inc. (Kansas City, Mo.)
• Wentworth Military Academy (Lexington, Mo.)
e-Hartsook on Philanthropy covers news of client successes and advancements in philanthropy, connecting with more than 10,000 persons monthly. We welcome your contributions. Please send brief news of success or good ideas you'd like to share to Tami Druzba, tami@hartsookcompanies.com, by the first of each month.
If you'd like a free subscription to e-Hartsook on Philanthropy - or its companion publication, the free, bi-weekly Strategies for Success - visit our web site at http://www.hartsookcompanies.com/subscribe.shtml or contact Erika Turner, erika@hartsookcompanies.com. You also can reach her at 316.630.9992.
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