CASE STUDY : DOWN THE LINE AND BEYOND FOUNDATION
Background
Founded in 2010, Down the Line and Beyond Foundation (DTLB) facilitates positive character and tennis development for Philadelphia-area underserved youth and talented youth tennis players. Its programs aim to maximize each child's full potential on and off the court and to cultivate the next generation of leadership. DTLB currently engages 700 young people year-round in its free tennis and character education programs.
Our Challenge
DTLB's operations are supported by contributions from a small circle of donors, both individual and corporate, and from the proceeds of its annual fundraising dinner and auction. The organization has one full-time staff member who, under the supervision of the board of trustees, runs programming, manages the annual gala and other fundraising efforts, and carries out marketing and communications for the organization. A part-time controller manages DTLB's finances.
HAC was hired to create a development plan for DTLB and to provide development support to the Board and staff over a one-year period. HAC aims to help DTLB diversity its funding while it strives to expand its programming and professionalize its operations.
Our Solution
HAC is undertaking the following tasks:
• Encouraged the board to add trustees who can help broaden the base of supporters; two new trustees joined the board in July 2015.
• Created a monthly development plan for DTLB, to be carried out by the board and staff.
• Developing cultivation plans for potential major donors.
• Writing fundraising appeals to be sent to past supporters and a select group of parents.
• Researching potential corporate and foundation funders and writing applications for support.
• Staffing a quarterly board development committee meeting.
• Working with a newly hired communications advisor on ways to update and strengthen the organization's website and social media presence.
• Offering advice on the development of new special events.
• Providing advice on general operational and development issues.