YMCA Safe Place Services, Louisville, KY

May 18, 2016

When the YMCA Safe Place Services came to Dr. Len Moisan and The Covenant Group for a Financial Development Assessment, they knew the goals that they wanted to achieve. “We wanted to find out what our weaknesses and strengths were related to our financial development. We were entering into a new area. We also never had a development director before, and we wanted to hire the person that would be best for our agency’s needs. The Covenant Group helped with our search. We let Len lay out the game plan, and we hired based on the needs that he helped us identify,” Director Dennis Enix said.

Enix continued, “Len’s assessment of our Development Program told us a lot of things we already knew, but it also told us things and gave us recommendations we hadn’t thought about. It legitimized what we knew were our strengths and weaknesses, and gave us a plan on how we could better our financial development program to get it up to par. When the new financial development director was hired it was very helpful for her to review and begin to implement the recommendations that The Covenant Group had made.”

Enix is satisfied in knowing that The Covenant Group helped the Safe Place Services meet the goals they had set out to achieve. “We have met our expectations. Now taking The Covenant Group plan forward, I have no doubt that we will be successful.” Board member Todd Lowe added that The Covenant Group exceeded his expectations. “We had a general sense of what recommendations Len would give us, but we were not aware of the depth he would go into with these recommendations. I think we felt like we got back more than just a general outline.”

So pleased were they with the work of The Covenant Group that YMCA Safe Place Services has already recommended them to other organizations. Enix said, “When we hired The Covenant Group, we knew that they would be great partners to us. YMCA Greater Louisville is now also planning a capital campaign and we have recommended The Covenant Group to help with the work.”

Enix concluded: “Honestly, I think that the Covenant Group is the best in the community. And, with our board knowing that we had hired the best, it helped them take what was being said as truth. It motivated them to take the plan by the horns and go with it.”

“I really support The Covenant Group’s strategic planning process because their approach encourages staff-based support with board buy-in, and I felt that was important given what we were trying to achieve. The outcome is an effective plan that builds consensus and provides a clear sense of direction.”
- Jennifer Scott, Director of Development - The Cabbage Patch Settlement House

“The Covenant Group is highly competent, very experienced and knowledgeable. They provided a broad perspective by equipping us with useful data…and best practices in the field. All in all, they are excellent.”
- Dan Jones, CEO - 21st Century Parks

“The campaign has truly been a miracle. People were committed from the beginning, but…even raising $650,000 seemed like a stretch. To nearly double that amount is incredible! When the plan they developed allows you to hit a goal like that, it builds such a sense of community. The momentum built by the campaign is spilling outside the walls of our church and benefiting others in the process.”
-Father John Hollowell - Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church

“For those of us who don’t do this everyday, The Covenant Group instilled confidence in us. They helped us get through the fear and apprehension by providing us with a process, training and motivation. They taught us and helped us plan in a way that was for the better. We have built lasting relationships with donors and we will continue to steward these relationships long into the future.”
- Sue Finke, Director of Institutional Advancement - Covington Catholic High School

“No one anticipated we could raise this amount. Even the Archdiocese is surprised. The funds raised represent about 15 times our annual giving. But it’s not just the financial results. People stand around talking more than they did before the campaign. There is also a renewed and energized spirit among the parishioners. It’s the most exciting thing to happen in our parish in the last 100 years.”
- Gary Libs, Campaign Co-Chair - St. Mary of the Knobs Catholic Church

“The Covenant Group’s process involved a lot of people in our congregation doing small tasks … that built ownership. They took our vision and put it into a concrete plan. They helped us understand the importance of making our vision clear and laid out the steps to make the vision a reality. Their process built consensus and showed people how they could help. Their methods are based on a solid theological foundation that includes key documents, prayer support, and requisite training … all of which were invaluable.”
- Daniel Montgomery, Pastor - Sojourn Community Church

“Everything The Covenant Group did to help us…in the initial stages was helpful…the development of the case statement; our materials; the training of our Board members; strategies; all these steps laid the foundation for eventual success. They brought such a high level of professionalism, a wealth of experience and a strong track record of integrity and success… just being associated with The Covenant Group helped us.”
- Nancy Doctor, Development Director - Wellspring

“The structure The Covenant Group provided was excellent. It allowed our members to use their God-given talents to benefit the church community They helped us develop a plan and identify key leadership candidates to chair the effort, as well as engaging between 80 to 100 people to carry out the work of the campaign. It was truly a whole congregation effort and The Covenant Group helped facilitate that. They helped us reach our full potential as a congregation.”
- Ron Poisel, Pastor - Christ Lutheran Church

YMCA Safe Place Services, Louisville, KY

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