Communities in Schools San Antonio helps students achieve in school, graduate from high school, and go on to bright futures. The organization’s mission is to surround students with a community of support, empowering them to stay in school and achieve in life.
Our partnership with Communities in Schools San Antonio started out of a commitment for growing and expanding a culture of philanthropy. We were initially asked to facilitate an assessment of the organization’s fundraising program and to conduct a discovery study of how to grow philanthropy within the organization. The assessment included focus group sessions with staff, individual interviews with board and staff, a materials review and concluded with a written summary of strengths, recommendations for improvement and potential staffing structures to support a growing philanthropy program. Immediately following the submission of the assessment, our partnership expanded, and we assisted with the hiring of a lead development staff member. The relationship continued with the Cielo Strategy team working with staff in developing and successfully executing a comprehensive fundraising plan to ensure financial growth and long-term sustainability.
We provided one-on-one guidance in creating diversified fundraising strategies that include special campaigns, events, a “friends of” program, and a variety of donor stewardship opportunities. Our work culminated in developing a strategy that will support their overall fundraising capacity through the build out of a development team.
