The Opportunity:
Photo by Adam Husted
The Kavelman Group was approached by Mohonk Preserve to create and facilitate a Board retreat and training sessions at an important new juncture in its growth as an organization. The Preserve protects and manages over 8,000 acres in the majestic Shawangunk Mountains. As New York’s largest nonprofit nature preserve, they welcome over 165,000 visitors each year.
Previously, TKG had worked closely with the senior staff, Board and Capital Campaign Committee as fundraising counsel over a three-year period, leading to the success of a $5.5 million capital campaign.
The Results:
TKG assessed that increasing the Board’s involvement in fundraising and other traditional fiduciary and financial responsibilities would be an essential next step toward the implementation of its newly ratified strategic plan. With the exception of Board members who had served on the Capital Campaign Committee, many Board members lacked experience in fundraising and how to partner effectively with staff to meet the demanding new goals the Preserve had undertaken.
Photo by Adam Husted
TKG created a customized Board retreat and training program series to provide a framework for Board members to develop their individual approaches to giving and getting. Concurrently with the six-month training period, TKG worked one-on-one to coach Board members as they prepared to solicit prospective donors.
Board members were equipped in a fresh way to move forward with their fundraising goals with a new awareness of their own asking styles and unique roles in the organization, thereby giving them confidence as they focused on the near-term growth of the Preserve. To date, all solicitations have yielded new gifts to the Preserve, and the Board is well on its way to continued fundraising success.