The American Pharmacists Association Foundation (APhA)

BCC provided fundraising counsel to APhA’s $15 million capital campaign to renovate its existing historic structure and build an additional office building on its current site on the National Mall.

The entire project is estimated at $100 million. BCC advised the organization’s executives, board and senior development staff on the process of identifying program priorities, developing themes and messages, and creating a new and compelling program concept to promote the value of pharmacists in the health care system and the role they play in helping people with their medications. This program served as the cornerstone of the fundraising effort. BCC produced the campaign case for support and worked with association leadership to identify and successfully recruit an honorary chair and co-chairs from the corporate sector for the campaign as well as a campaign cabinet. BCC also coordinated the solicitation of both association and foundation boards of directors, and assisted in solicitation strategy and proposal development for major corporate and foundation prospects.

Oxford University, St Edmund Hall

BCC has embarked on an effort to increase financial giving by the North American alumni of St Edmund Hall by better understanding both the motivations and intentions of those donors, as well as their actual capacity to give. BCC has partnered with the research organization OpinionWorks to survey a random sampling of 100 North American alumni of the Hall. The interview explored impressions of the Hall and alumni perceptions of its need to raise funds, their feelings of connection to the Hall and fellow alumni, and ultimately the factors that might prompt alumni to give. Taken together, the alumni interviews and Wealth Engine screening have provided a portrait of the St Edmund Hall North American alumni population: the programs and projects back at the Hall they want to support, the special messages that will reach them, the ways in which they want to become more engaged by the Hall, and the top prospects for large individual gifts. In sum, this research has provided an invaluable benefit to the Hall's fundraising efforts in North America.

Defenders of Wildlife

Founded in 1947, Defenders of Wildlife is one of the country's leaders in science-based, results-oriented wildlife conservation. BCC was retained for several projects. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of Defenders' branding in the conservation marketplace. The analysis examined the organization's messages, communications tools (website, reports, newsletters, PSAs, direct mail appeals, etc.), market research, and media coverage and provided recommendations on how to more effectively promote its goals and programs and improve its positioning. We produced and implemented a media relations strategy for the release of the group's first annual national report, "Refuges at Risk," naming the ten most endangered national wildlife refuges. We wrote press releases and pitched the story to national and local outlets. Stories ran in the major newspapers and many radio stations (some local television affiliates) of the 13 states in which the refuges are located, including AZ Daily News and Republic, Times Picayune, Las Vegas Sun, SF Chronicle, Charlotte Observer, and San Antonio Express. We wrote the annual reports for the years 2004 - 2006.

Island Press

Since 1984, Island Press has provided comprehensive, peer reviewed information to help solve environmental problems which is disseminated through books, electronic media, and outreach to journalists, scientists, policymakers and the public. BCC & Associates has been retained for a number of projects in recent years. We have guided the organization through a national branding campaign and message development process to more effectively integrate biodiversity conservation into land-use planning. We then crafted and implemented an outreach strategy to teach community leaders in key areas how to transform their land-use planning processes. BCC has also developed media relations strategies for a variety of books published by Island Press. We wrote press releases, booked numerous interviews for authors, and placed stories in national and local print (often front page) and electronic outlets, such as CNN, NPR, Baltimore Sun, Beacon Journal, Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Fort Collins Coloradoan, Sacramento Bee, Miami Herald, Arizona Republic and Las Vegas Sun. We have also placed editorials in such papers as the Hartford Courant, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Jackson Hole News and Guide, Tucson Citizen, Reading Eagle, and Charlotte Observer. In addition, we worked with a business and conservation consortium supported in part by the UN Foundation to promote the findings of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, the most comprehensive assessment of the global environment ever conducted. We helped develop messages and position the MEA for public consumption as well as organized a national press briefing with key scientists to promote press coverage of the findings.

Winrock International

For nearly 20 years, Winrock International has sought to increase economic opportunity for people around the world while sustaining natural resources and protecting the environment. BCC was retained to help Winrock better define its brand so as to be able to diversify its funding sources in an increasingly competitive environment for donor dollars. As part of that process, we conducted a series of confidential interviews with key stakeholders around the world to compile critical information about core audiences and their perceptions of Winrock. We developed a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) and presented our findings and recommendations to senior staff at a strategic planning session. Those findings were incorporated into an institutional plan to improve the way the organization projects its activities and capabilities as a development assistance institution. In addition, we worked with the New Business and Communications divisions to develop an internal communications strategy as well as a plan to better integrate the activities of both departments.

The American Air Museum in Britain

The American Air Museum in Britain is a memorial to the 30,000 Americans who died flying from the U.K. in the Second World War. For the past seven years, BCC has served as the U.S. fundraising office for the museum, which is located in Duxford, U.K. We have created and are now implementing a planned giving program aimed at the Museum's 50,000 member U.S. constituency as part of a $12 million endowment campaign. We also provide support to the U.S. based board of trustees and support staff development trips to the U.S. by the Executive Vice President of the Museum; and we work with Museum development staff to identify and recruit board members, solicit major individual gifts, and staff fundraising events both in the U.S. and the U.K.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation

The National Trust for Historic Preservation, founded in 1949, has the distinction of being recognized as the only private nonprofit organization chartered by Congress to encourage public participation in the preservation of sites, buildings and objects significant in American history and culture. BCC was retained by the Trust to help the national organization develop strong models that would increase membership, grow revenue, and develop mutually beneficial partnerships with state and local groups. BCC interviewed state, local and national program staff in order to identify membership scenarios that would encourage cooperative projects between the national program and the state and local entities. Best practices were identified. Roles and responsibilities for the national program and the state and local partner programs were developed as well as measures of program performance.

The Potomac School

BCC has been retained to provide communications and fundraising support and services for The Potomac School's $50 million capital campaign. The school is constructing new facilities and building its endowment. We produced a comprehensive fundraising strategy that is now guiding the school's board and campaign volunteers in soliciting key donors. We worked with the board, campaign committee, and development staff to position the campaign and develop messages that resonate with key audiences. We produced a communications plan that provides a 2-year blueprint for action and supports all fundraising activities. The communications tactics include community outreach through a newsletter, campaign website, media relations, and electronic messages to targeted audiences. We are now working with campaign leadership to organize meetings with donors and volunteers, parents, alumni and teachers to energize the entire Potomac community behind the campaign.

National Wildlife Federation (NWF)

The National Wildlife Federation is one of the largest conservation groups in the country with a nationwide network of 48 state affiliates which are autonomous statewide organizations that support the purposes and objectives of NWF. BCC worked with NWF to analyze the relationships of the national program with its affiliates. We recommended collaborative models for communications and fundraising that defined roles between the national organization and its affiliates. The models presented options for the national organization to administer consolidated administrative and database services and offered affiliates a menu of other services for specified fees, including direct mail solicitation management and communications materials. This allowed for more cost effective allocation of resources and promoted a more unified brand identity. We also conducted an audit of the organization's communications operation and produced a best practices manual based on analysis of the communications departments of eight other national non-profits of similar size. Finally, to build NWF's capacity to increase support and raise funds, we conducted a competitive analysis, or "environmental scan," which helped the organization define its niche in the conservation arena, communicate with its audiences, and position itself for the launch of a capital campaign. As part of this project, we analyzed 10 years of market research to produce a SWOT analysis which identified key issues and messages that could be used in membership and donor outreach efforts.

National Rural Electrification Cooperative Association - International Division

NRECA International is committed to contributing to economic development and to improving the well-being of rural populations through the provision of affordable electric power supplied by sustainable, well-managed utility systems. Since 1962, when it was contracted by the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide assessments and services in Nicaragua, NRECA International has helped over 70 million people in over 35 developing countries gain access to electricity. BCC advised the Association's Foundation, part of its International Program Division (IPD), on how to increase contributed income from U.S. cooperatives and other sources to support electrification projects in Africa, the Far East and the Caribbean. As part of this project, we conducted a fundraising audit of operations and recommended ways to enhance current fundraising practices and procedures. We worked with the client to identify 3-5 year strategic priorities, develop key messages to strengthen the brand of the Foundation, and craft signature campaigns and communications programs to support Foundation program goals.

The Wilderness Society

The Wilderness Society is a 70-year old conservation organization dedicated exclusively to protecting wilderness and has seven regional offices around the country. We have worked with TWS on a number of projects over the years. We conducted a series of sessions with TWS leadership over a period of several weeks to position the organization and to craft messages for its $100 million major donor campaign. Based on those messages, we developed a case statement document which brands the campaign with its core audiences. We led TWS staff through a restructuring process to improve the effectiveness of the organization's largest and most important program. As part of this project, we conducted a SWOT analysis which included interviews with key internal and external stakeholders, including funders. We recommended approaches to reorganizing the program staff, establishing new reporting lines, and setting up new leadership positions. We also made recommendations on improving lines of communication among the regional offices. We conducted a comprehensive audit of TWS's membership department to identify more cost effective ways to build and diversify constituencies (including low and high donors).

Clean Beaches Council

The Clean Beaches Council is dedicated to sustaining America's beaches. Since 1999, BCC has managed the national release of the group's annual list of environmentally certified beaches around the country. We have organized press conferences, written press releases and pitched the story to national and local print and electronic outlets. Each year, coverage is extensive with hundreds of stories in national newspapers, national radio and television networks, major market newspapers, local radio programs and television affiliates. These include USA Today, New York Times, Washington Post, NBC Today Show, CNN, Marketplace, CBS, and Parade Magazine.

The Arc of Northern Chesapeake Region

The Arc Northern Chesapeake Region is a private, non-profit local chapter of the Arc of Maryland and the Arc of The United States, the largest volunteer organization in the world devoted exclusively to improving the quality of life for all adults and children with mental retardation and their families. BCC developed a campaign plan and communications strategy and served as campaign counsel for a $1 million campaign to build a new headquarters building for the organization. We conducted the campaign feasibility study, interviewing civic, corporate and foundation leaders in the Harford County area. We worked with executives to recruit and solicit a campaign chair and campaign committee. We advised the organization on the staff structure necessary to conduct the campaign, created campaign documents and proposals, and guided the campaign committee until successful project completion in 2003.

The National Audubon Society (NAS)

The National Audubon Society's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. BCC was retained to help NAS develop a stronger constituency development program that would lead to upgraded giving and major gifts over time. The organization's primary value proposition was Audubon Magazine and driven by magazine circulation metrics. Giving was tied to subscription prices and was often discounted to qualify for rate-base thresholds. BCC developed new package tests to showcase the conservation work of NAS and utilized new lists for new member acquisition. We also developed a new business model that would show the value of this new effort over the course of three years. In addition to the traditional magazine subscription model, a new revenue stream was achieved through the increase of conservation minded constituents.

Association for Women in Development (AWID)

The mission of the Association for Women's Rights in Development is to connect, inform and mobilize people and organizations committed to achieving gender equality, sustainable development and women's human rights around the world. A young organization at the time, AWID launched an international conference in Washington, D.C. in order to raise awareness here in the U.S. of these issues while also attracting new donors. Women leaders from many nations attended. BCC produced and implemented a communications strategy, involving message development, which garnered press coverage by a variety of outlets including CNN and the New York Times, and helped position the organization to expand and diversify its funding base.

The Nature Conservancy - Tennessee Chapter

BCC produced a fundraising and communications strategy to raise $10 million as part of the organization's billion dollar "Last Great Places Campaign." We worked with staff to produce a case for support with clearly defined conservation goals and objectives. We conducted a feasibility study in target markets of Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Memphis to determine areas of conservation interest, donor opinions and the availability of leaders and volunteers. We also trained board members in four target markets in the art of soliciting and advised on the recruitment of a campaign cabinet. To support our fundraising efforts, we developed a communications plan to kick-off the campaign in major markets and advised the leadership on taking the campaign public. The leadership gifts phase exceeded preliminary targets and, as a result, the campaign goal was raised to $13 million as of the fall of 2006.

The Brookings Institution

In 2008, the Brookings Institution's Metropolitan Policy Program (MPP) launched its Blueprint for American Prosperity Initiative, a multi-year initiative offering policy reforms to give metropolitan areas the tools they need to generate economically productive growth, build a strong and diverse middle class, and grow in environmentally sustainable ways.

As part of the Initiative, MPP released a series of reports over several months for which BCC produced and implemented national and regional media strategies to garner public attention and influence policymakers in Congress and around the country. 

The reports were:

• Shrinking the Carbon Footprint of Metropolitan America
• A Bridge to Somewhere: Rethinking American Transportation for the 21st Century
• Boosting Productivity, Innovation, and Growth through a National Innovation Foundation
• Clusters and Competitiveness: A New Federal Role for Stimulating Regional Economies

Our media outreach strategies for each report consisted of crafting story angles that were compelling to journalists, strategizing on the most effective approach to placing stories, and producing press releases and email pitches that summarized the findings and messages of each report.  We developed a press list which included reporters, editors and opinion writers in the appropriate beats for major national, regional and local print, television and radio outlets as well as blogs.   We produced email blasts to journalists and conducted extensive outreach, fielding information requests and arranging interviews with spokespeople.  Media pick up on these reports was extensive and, in some cases, resulted in hundreds of hits in both national and local print and electronic outlets around the country.  Outlets included The New York Times, USA Today, The Economist, Christian Science Monitor, CNN, Newsweek.com, US News.com, WashPost.com, and Time.com.   Major market papers such as the Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, Dallas Morning News, Baltimore Sun, San Francisco Chronicle, Cincinnati Enquirer, Atlanta Journal Constitution, Miami Herald, Denver Post, Detroit Free Press, Sacramento Bee, Cleveland Plain Dealer, and Fort Worth Star Telegram, among many others, ran the story.   Many local radio and television stations also produced stories as well.  The stories themselves were accurate, substantive, and on message.  Many papers placed stories prominently and included graphics from the reports.