The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation
Our Discovery
CFA provided counsel for the final, public phase of The Amherst H. Wilder Foundation’s Campaign for Families: Building a Stronger St. Paul One Family at a Time. The campaign was expected to transform the way Wilder works with families by implementing a whole family service model. When CFA stepped in as a partner, Wilder had a strong institutional funder base of corporations and foundations, but not as strong an individual base.
Our Approach
CFA worked alongside staff and leadership to identify major, five- and six-figure prospects within Wilder’s existing donor database. We also created new case materials and partnered on a campaign video. Together with the well-organized Wilder development team, we devised strategies for over 200 prospects. The team’s focus, discipline, and willingness to ask people for specific gift amounts, host intimate gatherings, and personalize targeted campaign mailers, took their campaign over goal.
The Results
The Wilder Foundation raised $17,200,000 toward a $17,000,000 goal, engaging and reengaging with more individual donors. The impact of the campaign has been that the Wilder Foundation transformed its programs and has upgraded their individual giving program.
