FUNDamentals - July 7, 2005

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
Orange Park, FL
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Port St. Lucie, FL
Rome, GA
Sandusky, OH
Scottsdale, AZ Seattle, WA
Tionesta, PA
Twin Falls, ID
Watertown, SD

We're adding some new friends...

This month we're sending the FUNDamentals newsletter to an expanded list of STELLAR clients, friends and associates, to give everyone a chance to learn how we're helping leading economic and community development groups realize their programming and funding goals. We think you'll find it useful, and we'd appreciate any comments or suggestions that you'd care to offer.

Of course, if you'd rather not receive future copies of FUNDamentals, just click on the "unsubscribe" link at the bottom of this page.

Thanks.

ACCE meets in St. Louis

It was great to see old friends and to make new acquaintances during the recent American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) meeting in St. Louis. During what was described as their "best conference ever", ACCE members had a chance to explore some exciting new strategies that we at STELLAR can help to package, test and fund. Give us a call and we'll help you get started.

One recent ACCE activity is generating a great deal of interest among chambers with an eye toward growth. An ACCE quick poll on capital campaigns, providing instant results for participants, can be reached HERE

Two new campaigns launched

Two new fundraising campaigns, both validated by extensive STELLAR feasibility studies, got underway this month.

In Gainesville, GA, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce launched an ambitious fundraising campaign after a 70-interview STELLAR feasibility study discovered strong community support for a proposed bold new four-year economic development campaign.

STELLAR's Executive Vice President Jerry Acy is on hand to assist Chamber President Kit Dunlap in a campaign strategy entitled "The HALLmark Vision - A Clear Path to Our Future". The ambitious effort includes a community visioning process, a regional economic development initiative, retail and small business development, education and workforce development and improvements in community and government relationships.

Meanwhile in Seattle, the newly reorganized regional economic development organization, enterpriseSeattle, started the ball rolling this month for one of the most aggressive fundraising campaigns of recent memory. Following an 87-interview STELLAR feasibility study, "Compete and Win!" is a five-year program aimed at a significant improvement of the competitive posture of the Seattle and King County region. Goals include the creation of 15,000 new primary jobs, the attraction of $1.5 billion worth of new private investment, and the acceleration of tax base growth in the region by 2.5 percent.

STELLAR Vice President Tom Flavin will provide support to enterpriseSeattle President John Powers in this $10 million campaign.

On the road again

Packed up and ready to travel, the STELLAR team will be in attendance at several up-coming gatherings of chamber and economic development professionals. We invite you to join us as we continue to support these important networking and learning opportunities:

Aug 24 - 26	Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives Oak Ridge, TN
Sep 8	Mid-America Economic Development Council South Sioux City, NE
Sep 8 - 11	Carolina Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Hilton Head, SC
Sep 21 - 23	Georgia Economic Developers Association Savannah, GA
Sep 25 - 28	International Economic Development Council Chicago, IL
Oct 8 - 11	Southern Economic Development Council Baltimore, MD

Let us know if there are any other upcoming events that you think might benefit from our support, or if you'd like us to speak to your organization. We're committed to giving back to the professionals and organizations that support us, and look forward to seeing you there.

A new tool, and it's free!

The fertile minds at Google™, the internet search engine giant, have come up with a fascinating new tool for anyone with an interest in location mapping. Google Earth™ can be downloaded, without charge, and installed on any modern personal computer. There's also the added attraction that it's really fun. Take a look at it at the Google™ website.

And remember: MAKE NO SMALL PLANS!

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