STELLAR FUNDRAISING GROWTH REACHES NEW HEIGHTS

New Client Wins Propel Fundraising Firm to Top of Industry

STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc. has been selected by three leading organizations in Georgia, Massachusetts and Florida to conduct new large-scale economic and community development fundraising campaigns.

Formed in 2001 by a team of experienced economic and community development fundraising executives, STELLAR has quickly established itself as the leading fundraising counsel for communities, economic development organizations and non-profit groups. “We attribute our success to a solid track record, a top-notch team of some of the nation’s leading professionals and personal service,” said STELLAR founder and CEO Terry J. Cusack.

The campaign will be led by STELLAR vice president and senior consultant Rick Ingalls. Rick has earned the Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation and brings to the campaign more than twenty-five years experience as a volunteer, nonprofit executive and senior capital campaign consultant with a record of raising nearly $60 million in fourteen states. Rick has been honored as the Most Outstanding Arkansan (1979) and as one of America’s Outstanding Young Men (1980). More recent recognition includes two prestigious ADDY’s and other awards for his fundraising materials.

“We are pleased to have been selected from among a large field of national and local firms because of our reputation, positive references and experience in this niche,” Cusack said.

STELLAR Finishes First in Competition for Augusta (GA) Rowing Club & Olympic Training Center Effort

After completing a successful communitywide fundraising feasibility study, STELLAR Fundraising Executives was recently awarded a second contract to help the Augusta Olympic Rowing Club raise $1.4 million to establish this historically significant organization as a national center for sculling.

Long before golfers came to Augusta for the Master’s Tournament, rowers were competing in a prestigious tournament of their own. Rowing competition on the Savannah River dates back more than three decades before the Civil War.

Reformed in the late 1980’s, The Augusta Rowing Club/Augusta Olympic Training Center chose STELLAR Fundraising Executives over other fund development firms to assist them in their efforts to establish this Georgia community as the rowing mecca of the South.

The club has been host to the 1994 Masters National Championship on Lake Olmstead - the top level of competition for rowers 27 years and older. The club was also a key player in attracting the U.S. National Sculling Team to Augusta in 1994, bringing Olympic hopefuls and their families to the city to prepare for the 1996 Atlanta Games. The club also sponsored the 1995 U.S. Rowing National Convention. Improvements made to the club’s boathouse allow the Olympic scullers and high school, college and masters rowers to train out of the same building.

The Augusta Rowing Club campaign feasibility study was completed by STELLAR senior vice president George Stuart. George started his career serving on the City Council of Orlando, Florida. He was elected three times to the Florida Senate and has served four years as Secretary of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation. He has chaired major capital campaigns in his community and state. George earned a B. A. from the University of Florida and an MBA from the Harvard Business School.

The funding campaign will be led by Charles Gafford, a vice president and senior consultant with STELLAR. Having more than thirty years experience in the fundraising management field, Charles has served more than twenty nonprofit organizations throughout thirteen states over the past ten years. He has extensive experience in practically all aspects of fundraising management, and has provided on-site field services to clients while working for two national, AAFRC-member fundraising consulting firms and three regional fundraising consulting firms.

Twin Falls (ID) Campaign Reaches Half of Goal Before Kickoff

STELLAR Fundraising Executives has helped the community of Twin Falls raise more than 65% of their goal of $1.44 million to fund their Business Plus III: A Regional Economic Development Partnership initiative. The STELLAR Fundraising team was selected earlier this year to help local volunteers create, launch and fund Business Plus III at the conclusion of a successful feasibility study conducted by the firm in late 2002.

Early investors gave Business Plus III a big boost before the official campaign kickoff event. The new six-county initiative aims to use the funding to invest in Magic Valley's economic health over the next five years.

"We are more than 50 percent towards our goal," STELLAR Fundraising vice president and campaign executive Scott C. Wilson said. “To date, 23 organizations have invested in the effort with some contributions exceeding $100,000 over the life of the five years program.”

Wilson background includes 19 years of service as a chamber of commerce executive, where he perfected his ability to focus on strategic positioning, leadership development and successful entrepreneurial programs. His success in growing communities and organizations has resulted in national recognition by his chamber colleagues and earned him the status of (CCE) Certified Chamber Executive, an honor he shares with less than five percent of all chamber executives.

STELLAR Lends Experience to Help

STELLAR Fundraising Executives Founder and CEO Terry J. Cusack was recently interviewed by Area Development magazine, one of the leading trade industry magazines for the economic development profession.

In the article, Cusack is interviewed on the benefits of public-private partnerships and regional economic development efforts. A leading authority on the benefits of private-sector led economic development in communities, Cusack shared his expertise in an effort to foster more joint initiatives.

“Businesses invest in local economic and community development programs out of what we call “enlightened self-interest,” Cusack said. “We help tell the story and make the case as to why and how an investment will bring tangible returns on their investment.”

As further recognition of his expertise on the subject, Cusack was also recently invited to give a presentation on private sector funding of economic development initiatives before a meeting of the Mid-America Economic Development Council (MAEDC). MAEDC is an organization of economic development practitioners from an eleven-state region on the Midwest.

“We’re pleased to be able to share what we have learned over fourteen years with helping more than forty US communities in hopes that it will have a ripple effect. By making individual communities stronger, we strengthen our nation at the same time,” Cusack concluded.

STELLAR Track Record Unparalleled

As evidenced by the articles appearing above, STELLAR Fundraising Executives is quickly becoming the go-to firm for economic and community development organizations looking for quality, passionate and affordable strategy and fundraising counsel. Their "better people-and a better process" business model has helped the firm grow to a staff of 11 and achieve an award rate of 85% of the contracts they have pursued.

About STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc.

STELLAR Fundraising Executives provides comprehensive campaign management and consulting. We design and direct initiatives for leading economic and community development organizations, as well as other nonprofits across the United States. We're different in specific and meaningful ways. And, that makes us better.

When you let STELLAR Fundraising Executives apply its fourteen years of experience to your organization and its needs, you benefit from the knowledge that has assisted more than forty organizations. Our experience with multi-year fundraising initiatives throughout the United States has raised more than $100 million.

Contact STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc.

Learn more about STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc. at www.stellarfundraising.com or call Terry J. Cusack, President and CEO at 770.476.3049. Fax: 770.232.0367 E-mail: info@stellarfundraising.com for a FREE STELLAR Fundraising Executives info kit today!