OUR
APPROACH
Stepstone Strategic Partners provides results-oriented counsel to non-profit organizations that ignites fundraising performance and strengthens their strategic position for the future.
“We would not be where we are today, having raised over $11.2 million in new, unrestricted gifts and a total of $14 million overall, were it not for the guidance and inspiration that you provided."
Sandra J. Doran
President
Salem Academy and College
Every client receives the personal engagement and perspective of three senior fundraising leaders who, collectively, have helped raise more than $1 billion.
“Knowing the backgrounds of Stepstone’s principals, I was confident they would bring creativity to our funding needs and they exceeded my high expectations.”
Jim Becher
Chair and CEO, Geneva Corporation
Board Member, Alleghany Memorial Hospital
At Stepstone, we appreciate the budgets of non-profit organizations, and we do not seek to be their “forever consultants”. We believe that most organizations have specific challenges that we can evaluate and address in a thoughtfully-assessed way – supporting, without supplanting, staff and creating new ways of addressing challenges.
We pay attention to you. We guide your next steps. The accomplishments are yours alone.
“Stepstone was the single best investment we could have made.”
Dave Goren
Executive Director
National Sports Media Association
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fundraising counsel to chief executive officers and board leaders of non-profits
OUR WORK
We help you raise more money.
Every interaction with a donor or prospective donor is a unique opportunity for your organization to demonstrate its value. Stepstone Strategic is committed to a donor-centric fundraising approach that relies on informed, consistent interactions that reinforce your organization’s value. We bring significant experience to these fundraising services.
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Evaluate development plans and activities
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Develop plans for growing your donor base
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Initiate plans for donor interactions
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Create strategies for reaching interim and ultimate goals
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Provide campaign services, including pre-campaign research and analysis; feasibility studies; case for support; goal-setting, for donors and amounts; campaign structure; direction for cultivation of major donors; campaign marketing materials.
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Meet with development staff members as mentors
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We help amplify your board's engagement.
We believe that the foundation for fundraising success is built by a strong, committed governing board. To help your organization put in place and sustain this critical stepstone, we offer these services.
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Analyze board composition and identify needs
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Develop strategies for new board member engagement and recruitment
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Develop new board member orientation plans
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Identify and recruit engaged new board members and volunteer leaders
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Coach boards on institutional advancement
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We help you tell your story in a more effective way.
Often, a donor’s first impression of your organization comes from a publication, a post, or an event. The quality of your communications impacts—directly and subtly—what constituents think about your value. Like a pearl, reputation is built by accretion, and our communications and stewardship services can help you capture and sustain the positive attention of donors.
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Assess communications strengths and needs
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Develop integrated marketing/communications plans
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Create group and individual stewardship plans
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Foster stronger grantsmanship and grant-writing
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Generate creativity in cultivation techniques
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We help you discover new prospects and unlock new gifts.
We use innovative and proven data analysis to help you understand and maximize your existing database. We provide:
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Micro-modeling to identify the critical fundraising characteristics of your donor base
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Wealth screening analysis of your database
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Visual infographics to help you and your board better understand the data
And we do more.
In addition to what our principals offer, we also partner with excellent professionals and firms to assist with annual funds, special demographic groups, events, marketing materials, membership programs, and website and social media development. When we work with clients in a major engagement, we also offer photography and videography
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OUR PRINCIPALS
Each member of our firm has more than 35 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and communication, including work in education, arts and culture, social services, historic preservation, and civic organizations. We approach each project as a new experience and seek creative solutions that are right for a particular need, rather than relying on “one-size-fits-all” advice. Our recommendations draw on a depth and breadth of experience, tailored to each unique environment.​
OUR
CONTACT
INFORMATION
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Please let us know how we can help your organization. We look forward to working with you and your colleagues.
Sandra Boyette sandra@stepstonestrategic.com
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Bill Porter bill@stepstonestrategic.com
J. D. Wilson jd@stepstonestrategic.com
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Mailing address:
Stepstone Strategic
4820 Bethania Station Rd., Suite 101
Winston-Salem, NC 27105