Advancement Associates, LLC (AAI) serves North American organizations that seek to express Christian faith in human service.
We believe our clients engage in useful and meaningful work. This “good work,” in turn, deserves our best efforts as consultants. When you hire AAI, you receive counsel that is professional, affordable, compatible with your organization’s values and customized to fit your unique needs.
We offer consultation services that include development and campaign services, and market research. Our clients are, in the main, private schools, health care institutions, retirement centers and church agencies.
We are committed to Building relationships. Advancing your mission.
History
Advancement Associates was begun in 1998 with the goal of supporting the missions of denominationally related nonprofit organizations through consultation in development and communications.
Since its founding, AAI has served numerous schools, camps, retirement communities, behavioral health and social services organizations, congregations and other church agencies representing a variety of denominations. Today. the company principal and associates work together as a close-knit team to help clients achieve their advancement goals.
Mission and Philosophy
AAI seeks to support the missions of denominationally related, nonprofit organizations. We present advancement as a seamless, coordinated function, integral to the mission and service of our clients.
Prayer, advocacy, financial gifts, referrals and time are among the ways constituents support an organization. But whatever the gift, the saying holds true that people give to people. For that reason, building and maintaining healthy relationships with stakeholders is crucial. This concept is central to our work and is summed up in our motto.
At AAI, we commit ourselves to
- create trust and satisfaction for our clients by engaging them with integrity and expertise.
- help clients achieve professional competence in their advancement programs.
- provide personalized, professional and practical counsel tailored to the organization’s mission, programs, staff and resources.
Professional Consultation Services
Development Services
Strong and reliable charitable support is evidence of community commitment to your organization. We can help your organization build sturdy systems and procedures for fundraising.
Regular annual gifts that undergird operations are the “lifeblood” of most nonprofit organizations. AAI assists clients with creating and executing comprehensive plans to garner such support, including creating strong relationships with major donors.
These AAI services will help your organization:
- audit the current program in order to affirm or redirect fundraising activities.
- design a program that seeks major gifts, continued or increased annual support, planned giving, and endowment contributions.
- educate and mentor board and staff as they support and implement a strong development program.
Campaign Services
At regular intervals, healthy nonprofit organizations take extraordinary steps to achieve new levels of service. Capital or comprehensive charitable campaigns provide the necessary funds for new programs, facilities and client needs. AAI guides nonprofit organizations safely through the entire campaign process.
These AAI services will help your organization:
- assess whether your organization is ready for a capital or other fundraising campaign.
- guide the staff in pre-campaign planning and campaign activities.
- guide board, staff and volunteers as they work in campaign activities.
Market Research Services
Market research can be a useful tool for organizations that want to improve their image, target new markets, or launch an innovative program. AAI uses both quantitative and qualitative methods in its market research process.
These AAI services will help your organization:
- gather data through the use of surveys, focus groups and in-depth interviews.
- analyze findings and prepare recommendations.
- build an effective marketing plan that reflects research findings.
Consultants
We’ve formed a team of people with long histories as development and marketing professionals in a variety of nonprofit settings. Together we bring more than 100 years of experience to our consulting practice.
When you work with AAI, you engage the services of an experienced and close-knit team of professionals who understand the culture, context and constituencies of denominationally related organizations.
Richard L. Gerig, M.Ed., Principal
Rich came to Advancement Associates after a long career at Goshen College where, among other positions, he was vice president for advancement. Combining graduate study (Arizona State University) with 45 years of experience, Rich is a unique resource in institutional advancement.
Rich specializes in campaigns and development. He lives in Phoenix and can be reached at rich@advancementassociates.net.
Rebecca S. Drumm, CFRE, Associate
Following a long career in banking, Becky has 15 years of experience as a development officer and consultant to nonprofit organizations, including service as vice president for advancement at Adriel School (OH). In addition to numerous professional certifications, Becky holds the Certified Fund Raising Executive credential from the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
Among other consulting activities, Becky has been instrumental in establishing development departments and mentoring new development officers.
Becky lives in Bellefontaine, Ohio and can be reached at becky@advancementassociates.net.
Michael D. Wiese, Ph.D., Associate
Mike is professor of marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University (CA), where he teaches business and marketing courses in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Trained in business and research (Loyola University of Chicago), Mike is active in marketing consulting and is regularly published in academic journals.
With AAI, Mike specializes in market research, marketing plans and strategic planning.
Mike lives in San Diego. Contact him at mwiese@pointloma.edu.