Cincinnati Bible College, Cincinnati, OH

May 18, 2016

“We knew we needed to do a capital campaign, we just weren’t sure if we were organized and prepared to pull it off.” These are the words of Cincinnati Bible College & Seminary President, Dr. David Grubbs. “We contacted The Covenant Group to help us carry out an internal audit to see if we were organized effectively to handle the campaign. Dr. Len Moisan reviewed many things including our policies, our organizational structure, and even our business software. He helped us identify weaknesses that would likely cause us difficulty if we embarked on a campaign as we were structured.”

To have a successful capital campaign it is important to be willing to take an inventory of your current practices and structure, identify needs and areas of potential inefficiency and then be willing to take action to address those issues. You must plan effectively before striking out. Dr. Grubbs was aware of this, and that is why he sought the counsel of The Covenant Group.

“Dr. Moisan was right on the point. He was right in everything he pointed out. In every area possible, we reorganized according to his counsel. We saw the benefits of this as we embarked, and we even saw some of the pain that can be caused when you are unable to make the necessary changes. He understood why we were running the campaign internally, and worked with us to set the proper foundation.”

Capital campaign consulting is not a one-size-fits-all solution. The Covenant Group can provide specific advice that is sensitive to the unique needs of your organization. We do not use a cookie-cutter approach.

“I would use Len again for consultation, and I’ve recommended him to many of my colleagues. He handled our information and internal issues professionally and carefully and we avoided many mistakes by implementing his advice. Ultimately, we received very good advice – it was money and time well invested.”

Results

Internal audit prepared CBCS to embark on an internally managed campaign

Money and time invested helped to “avoid pitfalls”

“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

Cincinnati Bible College, Cincinnati, OH

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