Wordhorse Strategies is a full-service fundraising and donor communications firm.
We offer a menu of services—development analysis, ad planning, institutional messaging, grant research and writing, major gift strategy, board development, campaign planning, and much more—that can be tailored to fit client needs, ambitions, and revenue goals. In addition, Wordhorse offers training, executive coaching, workshops (board, staff, volunteers), database management, and graphic design services. Wordhorse is results driven, and we will work to find the creative solution that is right for you.
Menu of Services (Sample)
The Development Audit
Clients often start with an internal development audit. Typically, after gathering data and information from the organization, Wordhorse reviews development operations, including donor database usage, solicitation practices, gift processing and stewardship, budgeting, and record-keeping; analyzes current and recent grant funders and major donors; and assesses fundraising efforts to date to identify areas of opportunity and challenge.
The Development Plan
In consultation with the board and executive director, Wordhorse can craft a Development Plan with qualitative activities (messaging and relationship-building) and quantitative goals, measures, and anticipated outcomes. The Development Plan is often built to dovetail with the organization’s budget needs, strategic plan, ambitions.
Grant Research, Writing, and Management
Grant writing is one of our specialties, and many of Wordhorse’s clients contract us to work exclusively on grant research, writing, and management. With nearly two decades of experience in corporate, government, and foundation relations, Wordhorse can create a grants pipeline, draft effective proposals, and boost grant-related revenue.
Fundraising Workshops & Board Retreats
Wordhorse offers a range of fundraising workshops, which can be tailored to fit your board development needs. Popular topics include Nonprofit Storytelling; Introduction to Grant Writing; How to Build a Grants Pipeline; Creating a Major Gifts Program from the Ground Up; and Governing, Nominating, and Development: The Board’s Role in Fundraising. Wordhorse also facilitates board retreats with a focus on integrating relationship-building and fundraising strategy into operations, volunteer management, and development planning.
Engagement & Relationship Building (Cultivation Events, Galas, and Peer-to-Peer Fundraising)
Wordhorse can provide development coaching and/or training to fundraising staff, volunteers, and/or board subcommittees that support engagement strategies and major gift work. Specifically, Wordhorse specializes in creating unique, tailored events that can help expand your nonprofit’s network, brand, and donor pool. We’ve consulted on events in small, rural communities and large metropolitan areas, and we are happy to share best practices, timelines, and advice on cultivation events and galas. Lastly, we advocate for use of new technology to boost engagement and identify potential supporters. We believe all of these areas are connected, and I’d be happy to discuss specific tactics, if you’re interested in learning more.
Strategic Planning
A true actionable strategic plan is a critical tool, yet few arts organizations have a functional plan that clearly articulates objectives, goals, tactics, and anticipated outcomes. Working closely with the board, executive director, and key stakeholders, Wordhorse can help translate your vision into a true strategic plan—one that can inspire your donors (and potential donors) and set you up for future success.
Campaign Planning & Implementation
Are you thinking about a capital campaign? Whether you’re pondering a $250k campaign or a $20M campaign, Wordhorse can help with campaign planning, campaign design, and specific strategies that’ll help the staff and board launch a campaign with confidence and manage it to its successful conclusion.
