Our clients
New York Aikikai
How do we honor our legacy while planning for the future?
New York Aikikai:
who are they?
Aikido is a traditional Japanese martial art focused on learning to "become an integrated and balanced individual and explore our full human potential." — Yoshimitsu Yamada
Since 1964, the New York Aikikai has cultivated an energy that is unique to their dojo and community. The energy of Yamada Sensei and those who trained with him has transformed this dojo into the unique place it is today, making aikido accessible to everyone who finds their way to this special school in Manhattan.
Phase I: annual campaign
New York Aikikai has been a center for this beautiful martial art for more than fifty years. For their community to continue to thrive and to adhere to city regulations, their school needs a variety of improvements. We saw the need for a capital campaign, but first, we knew it was essential to establish a fundraising base.
In the middle of laying this foundation, the aikido community experienced a great loss: the first chief instructor of the New York Aikikai passed away in early 2023. Fundraising generally and capital campaigns specifically are deeply linked to who a community is, who they have been, and who they are becoming. Grief, of course, plays a part in all of this. We walked alongside leadership as they navigated reflections on their community’s identity, and helped them strengthen their bonds with each other as they moved into a new era.
When we first started working with the New York Aikikai, there wasn't a history of strong annual campaigns. When done well, annual campaigns thread the needle between donors motivations and giving, and also train leadership to communicate, organize and ask. Annual campaigns train fundraising muscles for capital campaigns. Prior to launching a capital campaign, we ran two annual campaigns.
Phase II: feasibility
On the heels of the pandemic, we conducted a feasibility study, which continued to thread the needle between motivation and giving. We communicated the great care that this community has for each other through:
creating a case statement
interviewing and surveying individuals throughout the world
making recommendations not only for an appropriate goal and timeline, but also for necessary changes in infrastructure to ensure long-term success.
onboarding a new database, procedures for thanking, and more regular communication and transparency
Phase III: solicitation
As we were preparing to begin the solicitation portion of the campaign, the school’s beloved chief instructor and leader Yoshimitsu Yamada Sensei passed away. After a few months of adjusting to the new normal and hosting a memorial service that drew people from all over the world, we started up again.
New fundraising goals were set, leadership recruited, and we utilized the legacy of Yamada Sensei as a way for people to honor their relationship with the dojo, while looking squarely forward to the strong promise that the future holds for this community. Finishing the campaign at the end of January 2024, we raised funds from individuals, dojos and communities in 14 countries. The organization surpassed their primary and stretch goals, and exceeded everyone's expectations.
Phase IV: new website
Coming out of the gate with such strength in 2024 we turned our attention to a new website. Between the community having been gathered in new ways through the capital campaign, and the expectations for strengthened communications, we translated much of the learnings from the campaign into a brand new, interactive website.
Phase V: maintenance of website + communications
We continue to maintain this site, and manage New York Aikikai’s communications.
Sycamore Collaborative
What’s the path from food pantry to food justice?
Sycamore Collaborative: who are they?
Formerly known as Schenectady Inner City Ministry or SiCM, Sycamore Collaborative is a thriving organization committed to social justice and equity.
They serve Schenectady County through the largest food pantry in the region, 2 acres of community urban farmland, the county-wide Summer Meals program, and a safe space for all.
Phase I: communications audit
Serving Schenectady County in upstate New York, Sycamore Collaborative (formerly Schenectady Inner City Ministries, or SICM) has been a lifeline in a time of increasing food insecurity and an inspiration for community engagement to volunteers and clients alike. Embracing their decision to become intentionally interfaith, we walked alongside the organization to look across all its communications to understand more clearly what they want to say, to whom, when and how.
In our communications audit, we:
reviewed all current communications
conducted key interviews
led a retreat among organizational leaders and key staff
organized and analyzed data
reviewed staffing capacity
made recommendations and provided reflective language to move the organization forward
Phase II: strategic plan, renaming + rebranding process
As our communications audit concluded, we entered Phase II. In this iteration of our work, we:
articulated core values
created a strategic filter for decision-making
collaboratively created a far-reaching strategic plan
created a new visual identity, name, and website
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
How do we fund capital projects for our fast-growing parish?
St. Stephen’s: who are they?
St. Stephen’s was founded in 1822 as a racially integrated congregation that strives to be a “house of prayer for all people” by living into the commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.
In the mid-2000's it became a leader in the diocese as one of the few who welcomed LGBTQIA+ members in the midst of controversy over the ordination of the Bishop Gene Robinson in New Hampshire.
Mindful of their roots, they carry forward this mission of inclusivity and radical welcome in 21st century Charleston and beyond.
Phase I: listening
As St. Stephen's continues to live faithfully into the commandment to love their neighbors as themselves, they've begun to burst at the seams. To support them in understanding how best to accommodate their growth, we engaged in a listening phase in which we asked the congregation critical discernment questions.
After three months of congregational conversations, St. Stephen's successfully articulated how their building and plant allow them to live into their identity of being a house of prayer for all people, and just as importantly, how their building and plant limit them from living into this identity.
Phase II: feasibility
To test the level of support for projects named during the listening phase, we moved into working on a feasibility study with St. Stephen's. We conducted personal interviews as well as a congregation-wide survey, and our analysis of the results — both quantitatively and qualitatively — provided leadership with data to answer these tough questions:
what projects do you prioritize? what projects are less of a priority?
what is the level of support for a capital campaign, both financially and volunteer-wise?
what are your opinions about debt?
African Dream Academy Foundation
How do we raise money for a life-changing school, from a world away?
African Dream Academy Foundation: who are they?
The African Dream Academy Foundation (ADAF) was established to support the African Dream Academy (ADA) — a tuition-free, independent, co-ed school located in Monrovia, Liberia. By fundraising to support the school, the Foundation contributes to the Academy’s larger mission to break the cycle of poverty in Liberia through increasing the literacy rate.
Phase I: audit + retreat
After receiving a grant for board development, our team was hired to conduct a development audit and lead a board fundraising retreat. During our audit and retreat, we:
reviewed fundraising procedures
reviewed thanking procedures
interviewed donors
analyzed donor data to understand growth potential
wrote comprehensive report with recommendations
led fundraising retreat to present findings and work on money narratives
Phase II: implementation
Taking the results and recommendations from our audit work, we led them through a 6-month process to revamp their fundraising efforts. During the implementation phase, we:
created annual fundraising timeline
wrote and designed case materials to match donor motivations heard during Phase I
wrote and designed a donor website
trained volunteers
All Souls
How do we speak transformation?
All Souls: who are they?
All Souls is a dynamic, 200-years young congregation serving the open hearts and open minds of New York City. They are an LGBTQ+ Welcoming Congregation, dedicated to creating a world of justice and equity for everyone.
Communications
All Souls is dedicated to the possibilities inherent in each person, the connections that sustain us in good times and bad, and the transformation of ourselves and the world.
We completed a communications audit to answer these simple yet critical questions:
How do you communicate to the wider world?
What do you say?
How do you say it?
To whom?
Their answers reveal powerful new ways of communicating their robust offerings to their congregants and the world.
Calvary Episcopal Church
How are we leaders in the neighborhood at the intersection of tradition and newness?
Calvary Episcopal: who are they?
Calvary Episcopal Church is an eclectic bunch of Christian people who don’t all think the same thoughts, or dress the same way, or vote for the same candidates, or even believe all the same things about the mystery of God and what it means to be human.
Listening + feasibility
Together, we helped Calvary discern how their space reflects their core values and what is needed for the congregation to live into their collective vision. We created and led a listening process where guided conversations fostered deeper relationships and capital improvement projects were identified. We then engaged in a feasibility study, concluded that there was indeed a campaign to conduct and are currently in the midst of implementation of soliciting gifts.
An excellent sermon regarding feasibility study results in which The Rev. Scott Walters speaks beautifully about how and why we do our work.
Chicago, United, Eden (CUE)
Why support theological education as a collective?
CUE: who are they?
CUE is a collaborative fundraising organization that actively encourages and facilitates congregational support for the UCC’s three midwestern seminaries: Chicago, United and Eden.
CUE operates as an independent 501(c)3 outside of the United Church of Christ. They raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for seminary education each year on behalf of the seminaries, distributing funds equally among them and supplementing their ability to raise funds directly.
Communications + fundraising
Chicago, United and Eden Seminaries of the United Church of Christ, (CUE) receives financial support from local midwest congregations through a shared giving system. Working together, we’ll explore ways to encourage giving through this channel, looking at messaging for appeals, coordinating stewardship, and crafting acknowledgements for congregational gifts.
At a time when leadership of emerging seminarians is so important in the changing church before us, we are thrilled to have helped to ensure that funding continues to flow toward the source of theological education and formation.
Christ Church Episcopal Cathedral
Who is the little church on the circle?
Christ Church: who are they?
A reverent, yet progressive, faith community located on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis, Christ Church Cathedral values inclusion and compassion, and are dedicated to widening the circle of God’s embrace with heart and voice.
Communication
We worked with Christ Church to create communication strategies and implementation.
More Light Presbyterians
How do you bring the power of a legacy to life in today’s church?
More Light Presbyterians engages over 230 congregations and thousands of individuals in the Presbyterian Church (USA), enabling Presbyterians to lead LGBTQIA+ service and advocacy in communities nationwide. More Light’s mission has always been to empower and equip individuals and congregations to live into their welcome for LGBTQIA+ people.
We worked with them to increase their individual donor program, and set them up for many years of fundraising success. Through review of data, assistance in implementing recommendations, intensive training, and walking alongside the staff and the board, we are excited for what is to come for MLP.
Nevelson Chapel
What do art and church have to do with God and the city?
Nevelson Chapel is the only remaining, permanent, fully intact sculptural environment by Louise Nevelson. Nine wall-mounted sculptures, a tranquil white-on-white presentation accented with gold-leaf and enhanced by the play of shadow and light from a single window, the Chapel is an incomparable example of this 20th-century art form which is intended to involve or encompass visitors. Nevelson was instrumental in the conception and introduction of the form, which “sought to break down the historical dichotomy between life and art.”
Vandersall Collective has served in many forms as we work together to restore and renew the Chapel. We are integrated into all aspects of the Chapel life. Together we manage all events and communications, including the case materials, social media, eblasts and the website, and serve as the primary fundraising council. In addition to advising the Chapel project, we have created systems and structures for fundraising administration, and are deeply embedded in the enactment of them running smoothly. We continue to implement communication strategies through the curation of their Instagram account.
“Our campaign isn't simply raising money. We are building relationships, recalibrating our culture and renewing our mission. Mieke and her team are integrated into every aspect with competency, dedication and heart.”
— The Rev. Jared Stahler, Nevelson Chapel
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
How do we raise capital funds on the heels of a pandemic?
St Paul's Episcopal Church, Franklin, TN is the state's oldest Episcopal Church. A community rich in history, St. Paul's is now asking how its space can best be utilized to live more fully into God’s vision for the future. It's our job to work with the congregation to conduct a Feasibility Study, which will help them determine what resources are available and how the energy and passion of their community can be harnessed to help their vision come to life.
We are delighted to have worked with as partners committed to raising funds as part of a ministry that responds in meaningful ways to the needs and possibilities around them. Together we engaged in a feasibility study and a revamp of annual giving during the pandemic year of 2020. We then implemented a capital campaign and are thrilled that they exceeded their fundraising goals!
West End Church
How do we show people who we really are?
Phase I: communications audit
West End Church on the Upper West Side of Manhattan is a community with deep roots, curious spirits, and hearts set on God’s way of justice and peace. They want their neighbors, and the whole world, to know what they're up to, why it matters, and how to be involved, especially in this time when connection and community are so vitally important.
After leading a robust communications audit including a strategic retreat, series of interviews and a survey, we created a framework authentic to them through which to view their communication strategy. We then rebranded West End Church through a new logo and communication system, and built and launched their new website. We continue to provide on-going communications support as they live into their new look and articulated identity.
Phase II: fundraising
Alongside our on-going communications support, we work with West End to develop annual campaigns that reflect their culture, identity, theology of giving, and goals. Our work together has included:
creating opportunities for leaders to reflect on money narratives
creating and implementing segmentation of giving data to consider appropriate strategies
increasing volunteerism through training, ongoing coaching, and celebration
developing compelling communication pieces for multiples audiences and special occasions
