STELLAR FUNDamentals - March, 2006

Supporting Non-profit organizations in communities across the Nation:

Albany, GA
Augusta, GA
Bellingham, WA
Bonifay, FL
Cumming, GA
Dobson, NC
Ft. Wayne, IN
Gainesville, GA
Greensboro, NC
Iowa City, IA
Jacksonville, FL Kalispell, MT
Livonia, MI
Ocala, FL
Oil City, PA
Orange Park, FL
Orlando, FL
Paducah, KY
Phoenix, AZ
Port St. Lucie, FL
Roanoke, VA
Rome, GA
Sandusky, MI
Sandusky, OH
Scottsdale, AZ
Seattle, WA
Twin Falls, ID
Waterloo, IA
Watertown, SD

A sponsorship first for STELLAR!

The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) has announced that STELLAR has become the first capital campaign firm in 30 years (apart from one ACCE official corporate sponsor) to sponsor an ACCE convention. According to STELLAR Founder and CEO Terry Cusack, "We will be one of the proud sponsors of ACCE's convention in Cleveland, which is predicted to be the largest in the organization's 92-year history. Mick Fleming and his ACCE team always put on a first class event and we're proud to lend our support".

Project round-up

Successful STELLAR feasibility studies have prompted four communities to turn the corner to full campaign status this month. Led by Steve Dust in Iowa, the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance, of Waterloo and Cedar Falls, found strong funding support for an aggressive fundraising effort. The Greater Paducah Economic Development Council, led by Wayne Sterling in Kentucky, the Roanoke Valley Economic Development Partnership, led by Phil Sparks in Virginia, and the Sanilac County Economic Development Corporation, led by Dale Benish in Michigan, have also recently finished up encouraging studies and are busy making campaign preparations with the STELLAR management team.

2006 will bring yet another triple-digit growth year for STELLAR, while bringing millions to local communities around the country.

Three Georgia communities top the list

More jobs, higher wages, a broader tax base and long-term growth — all are goals of Georgia chambers as they seek to lead their communities through economic transformation.

Funding such bold initiatives has been a challenge, except for those chambers who are leading their communities to new success through the use of outside funding counsel. Al Hodge, in Rome, Kit Dunlap, in Gainesville, and Tim Martin, in Albany, have discovered that a modest investment can yield high returns for their organizations and move their communities to the hot list. See how they did it HERE

High praise for STELLAR from an ED pro

The Greater Erie County Marketing Group (GEM), of Sandusky, Ohio has completed a STELLAR fundraising campaign and has given credit where credit is due. A very pleasant letter from GEM Executive Director Mark Litten arrived in the STELLAR headquarters this week and we couldn't wait to share it. Take a look at Mark's kind words HERE

Mark will be featured in one of a series of STELLAR-client testimonial ads in national industry publications to appear in coming months. Watch for it! You may have seen the first in the series, featuring Tim Martin, President of the Albany (GA) Area Chamber of Commerce. See it HERE

Cusack speaks to CACCE

STELLAR's Founder and CEO Terry Cusack spoke to members of the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives at their annual Leadership Conference at Pinehurst earlier this month. He's available to teach or speak at your 2006 conference, but the calendar is filling up fast, so act today! As usual, Terry speaks to industry groups without charge, as a way to give back to clients and friends. Read more about Terry Cusack HERE , or email us at info@stellarfundraising.com.

Could you use a little cash?

STELLAR can make it happen, with a little of your help. STELLAR will pay up to $2,000 to you, your organization or a charity of your choice, for a successful client referral. Just click HERE to access our simple referral form, tell us who you think is ready for some serious conversation about our services, then click the "Submit" button. If it's not someone that we're already working with or pursuing, we'll send a check as soon as the project is secured. It's that simple!

STELLAR is the fastest growing fundraising firm in America. Join the team!

Looking for a career boost? STELLAR may be looking for you. Take a look at the opportunity listed HERE , then send your résumé to opportunity@stellarfundraising.com

And remember: MAKE NO SMALL PLANS!

Terry J. Cusack
Founder & CEO
STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc.