Developing the resources needed to advance your institution is the prime focus of advancement programs. In assisting you with building a well-rounded advancement program, GGTS provides counsel to strengthen annual giving, capital gifts, planned giving, and endowment programs; to build an ongoing major gifts effort, to develop the funding needed for special projects, to strengthen the public relations and communications program, and to appropriately involve volunteers and to build and strengthen the Board. As part of this process, our consultants will assist the institution with all aspects of the advancement program, including staffing and budgeting, donor recognition, prospect research, record keeping, marketing, and constituency relations.

Our Campaign Readiness Study is an in-depth analysis and audit of an institution's readiness to engage in a major capital campaign and its constituents' depth of interest and commitment to the institution. While many institutions focus on the question "Is there money available to fund the objectives of the campaign?", other equally important issues must be addressed if a major campaign is to be successful. We find that it is critical that an institution has a clear and timely mission and vision, as well as a strategic plan to carry out that mission and vision. That is where our Campaign Readiness study process begins. With external publics we assess the case for support of the campaign, as well as perceptions constituents have of the institution. As an institution prepares for a major campaign, our Campaign Readiness Study includes a thorough assessment of the current status of the advancement program including fund-raising results, involvement of the CEO, board members and other volunteers, and the capacity of the staff to manage a campaign.

Our Campaign Readiness Studies typically are completed in 90 to 120 days. The process involves a review of materials requested in advance from the institution and interviews with staff and representatives of the key constituencies. At the conclusion of our assessment, we prepare a written report that details our conclusions regarding the proposed campaign and recommendations for a campaign timetable.

Our advancement audit looks at an institution's entire advancement program starting with a mission statement that is clearly understood by the constituency; its relation to a strategic plan; the evolution of advancement goals from that strategic plan; the support from Board members and other volunteers; the success of the public relations program in creating a climate where fund-raising can be successful; the fund-raising program itself in relation to annual giving, special projects, capital gifts, and planned gifts; and finally the capability and structure of the advancement staff.

An Advancement audit is typically completed in 90 to 120 days. It involves a review of materials requested in advance from the institution, in-depth interviews with advancement staff and key administrators and discussions with members of key constituencies. The process results in a written report that details our findings and provides recommendations for future action.