PRODUCT: COMMUNITY/EMPLOYEE SURVEYS

Community Survey

In conjunction with the Chaddick Institute of Metropolitan Development, FUND Consulting designed, implemented, and analyzed a Community Survey for the Parks and Recreation Department of Lake Forest, Illinois. The purpose of the survey was to collect opinions, preferences, and other information from Lake Forest residents with respect to their usage of Parks and Recreation Department programs and facilities. FUND Consultants managed the returns of the mail survey and the data entry of 1,144 surveys with approximately 50 data points into an Excel database. The FUND Project Leader implemented four quality control measures to ensure the accuracy of the data. After data entry, all data was analyzed using SPSS software. The outcomes of the project included detailed data on community preferences about Department activities, recommendations for moving forward, and the addition of agenda items to the Board's developmental research plans.

PRODUCT: MARKET STUDY

Market Analysis

FUND Consulting designed and implemented a comprehensive, multi-method approach to yield a robust data set necessary for the development of strategic implications and recommendations for enhancing visibility in the market and increasing deal flow. The methodology included focus groups, key informant interviews, surveys, and secondary data analysis. FUND Consulting delivered a comprehensive final report and reviewed the proposed recommendations in a working session with CDCLI staff.

PRODUCT: FEASIBILITY STUDY

Feasibility Study

In 2006, the Native Financial Education Coalition (NFEC) contracted FUND Consulting to make recommendations regarding whether the NFEC should become an independent, incorporated national intermediary or continue under the management of Oweesta.

To address this question, FUND Consulting performed a multi-layered research study involving several major components: (1) an online member survey, (2) phone interviews, (3) a scan of the native financial intermediary market, (4) a structural analysis of similarly situated national organizations, and (5) an organizational assessment of NFEC. The quantitative and qualitative data from all of these research phases was analyzed by the project team in order to answer the key research questions.

Based on the analysis, FUND Consulting offered strategic recommendations and an action plan for moving forward. The project team presented their detailed findings in the form of charts, graphs, tables, and an extensive report to support their suggestions. The team also provided follow-up services and made several presentations to clarify and expand upon their findings. The organization is currently in the process of implementing these recommendations.

PRODUCT: ANNUAL SERVICE PACKAGE

Annual Service Packages

FUND Consulting has been working with the IBC family of organizations for over 6 years on an annual retainer basis. The FUND team has helped IBC successfully submit 8 funding applications totaling nearly $10 million. Additionally, FUND has conducted marketing analyses, analyzed service distributions patterns, assessed community needs, and used such information to develop comprehensive marketing, capitalization, and strategic plans for the organization. Finally, FUND consulting coordinates the tracking and reporting of performance indicators for use in management and compliance, and serves as IBC's liaison to key funders on an ongoing basis.

PRODUCT: BOARD SESSION FACILITATION

Facilitation of a Board Fundraising Training and Planning Session

FUND Consulting developed and presented a session at the Music Theatre Workshop's January, 2005 board meeting. The presentation provided information on board fundraising key issues including key functions of governing boards; the board member as fundraiser; best practices of boards today; practical strategies for becoming a fundraising board. The FUND facilitator used this presentation as a framework to help explore the board's current fundraising capacity, and to brainstorm strategies for increased board effectiveness in fundraising. The result of this session included the development of new fundraising strategies designed around board member's comfort levels, strengths, and availability.

PRODUCT: PROGRAM EVALUATION

Program Diagnostic

FUND Consulting worked with AEDC to evaluate the current lending strategy of the Arcata CDBG Program and how it fits into the larger goals of the city of Arcata. The methodology for this project included the review of documentation (including the two volumes of Arcata's recent strategic plan), an evaluation of relevant market conditions, and interviews with AEDC staff. FUND Consulting presented its findings and recommendations in a written report and during a conference call with AEDC representatives.

PRODUCT: MARKETING AND STRATEGIC PLANNING

Research/Focus Groups

In 2003, FUND Consulting completed a research project for the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County with the goal of improving its planning and marketing efforts. The FUND Project Director designed and implemented a research plan involving a series of six focus groups. The project involved recruiting participants, designing a discussion guide, conducting and facilitating focus groups, and analyzing qualitative data. The final report summarized extensive qualitative data and provided suggestions for marketing directions. The project culminated in a presentation of the findings to the Board of Directors.

Market Research

The Council on Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), an institution promoting adult-learner focused research and policy, requested the assitance of FUND Consultants in conducting market research for the Illinois Student Aid Commission. FUND Consultants gathered extensive information on adult learners and developed a final report on recommended marketing initiatives to adult learners.

PRODUCT: GRANTWRITING/FUNDRAISING

Grantwriting

FUND Consulting has been working with the Citizen Potawatomi CDC, a non profit community development organization, to secure funding for organizational capacity building and project specific initiatives. In 2005, the FUND team wrote a successful grant application for $650,000 to the CDFI Fund and followed this up in 2006 with a successful grant application for $635,000. Also in 2006, FUND prepared a proposal for CSBG funding of the construction of the Citizen Potawatomi Business Development Center resulting in an award of $700,000. In total, over the past two years, FUND proposals have resulted in almost $2 million in funding for the organization. As a result, the organization has been able to fund and better support more small businesses that are creating jobs in the local area.