HARTSOOK COMPLETES SALE OF COMPANY TO EMPLOYEES

WICHITA, Kan. (Aug. 24, 2005) - Robert F. Hartsook, JD, EdD (Wrightsville Beach, N.C.), Chairman and CEO of Hartsook Companies, Inc., has announced the sale of the company to its employees, effective Aug. 2, 2005. Hartsook will continue as Chairman and CEO, and will remain active with clients for at least the next seven years.

Hartsook Companies, Inc., is a full-service philanthropic- and fundraising-management firm founded in 1987. The firm's business offices are headquartered in Wichita, and will remain so, and the Client Services Center is situated in Kansas City, Mo. The company has consultants in 17 cities and serves approximately 200 clients annually, raising several hundred million dollars each year. Hartsook Companies employs nearly 50 full-time, part-time or contract employees.

Annual sales and the financial aspects of the sale were not disclosed.

"Our company has been fortunate to attract outstanding professionals," Hartsook said. " I am pleased that, in the future, these individuals will provide the leadership for this company. This sale assures current and future clients that the quality fundraising counsel that has always been a staple of our business will continue with the men and women they have come to trust."

As a result of the sale, Hartsook Companies' Corporate Board of Directors has added two independent members: Merwyn Hayes, President and CEO of the Hayes Group International of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and Jim Tangeman, former President of Garden City (Kan.) Community College, now living in Wichita. Bob Hartsook remains as the third Board member.

The company will continue to use an Advisory Board of Directors. In addition to the Corporate Board members, the Advisory Board includes: Don Alexander, President of Alexander and Associates, Kansas City, Mo.; Herb Kohn, Bryan Cave, Corporate Counsel, Kansas City, Mo.; Mack Whittle, Chairman and CEO of Bank South, Greenville, S.C.; and Larry Penley, President of Colorado State University, Ft. Collins, Colo.

Hartsook Companies, Inc., has served a variety of nonprofits nationwide with capital, endowment and annual campaigns; leadership support; board training; marketing and more for nearly two decades. The firm's consultants have been involved in more than 1,700 campaigns ranging from $500,000 to more than $1 billion. This year, Hartsook Companies expects to serve approximately 200 nonprofits in 40 states. The web site: www.hartsookcompanies.com.

Note to editors: For more information about Hartsook Companies, Inc., please visit www.hartsookcompanies.com.

Photos and bios of the Advisory Board members and Board of Directors are available at www.hartsookcompanies.com/bios.shtml.

If you require a high-resolution photo of any of the individuals mentioned in this news release, please e-mail Tammy Weinman, tammy@hartsookcompanies.com or reach her by phone at 316.630.9992.