The Academic Alliance Foundation
The Academic Alliance Foundation, now Arcrodia, brings needed medical training and treatment capacity to the regions hardest-hit by HIV/AIDS and strengthens the education and research capacity of academic institutions through state-of-the-art training, treatment, laboratory facilities and IT systems.
Pfizer committed $10 million to develop a sustainable and replicable organizational model in Uganda that would work to facilitate the treatment of HIV/AIDS patients, the provision of educational programs, and the development of research laboratories. Development Resources, inc. was chosen to oversee the formation of this new organization and help to define the model.
DRi successfully identified and developed an organizational structure and systems from the ground up, both in country and in the U.S., to administer programs and to raise funds for the Foundation. Our work included building the board, writing policies and bylaws, supervising governance activities, developing annual operating and fundraising plans, building organizational infrastructure, hiring staff, and serving in an onsite administrative and leadership capacity until the hiring of the first full time Executive Director.
Project HOPE
Project HOPE is a global, private voluntary organization with operations in over 30 countries dedicated to achieving sustainable advances in healthcare across a number of thematic and multiple business lines.
Project HOPE engaged DRi to perform an imaging and engagement assessment. After reviewing Project HOPE’s current fundraising and public relations efforts, DRi developed a Strategic Direction Plan that outlined how Project HOPE could enhance and improve current operations. As part of the Strategic Direction Plan, Project HOPE identified short-term, intermediate and long-term strategies to address new and future challenges in visibility and funding. These strategies were designed to ensure that Project HOPE would continue to be a viable, sound and engaging organization for the people served, donors, volunteers and staff for years to come. The process was designed not only to rethink the image, donor offerings and strategies to better reach the strategic objectives, but also to enhance existing relationships and engage new constituencies.
Since performing the imaging and engagement assessment Project HOPE has begun to implement new ideas in its communications and funding strategies. DRi has collaborated with Project HOPE to launch a set of new tactics, including summits, events and a multiyear major gifts campaign, to reach its goal of garnering $80 million by its 50th anniversary.
In addition, DRi was actively involved in helping the organization coordinate a proactive fundraising campaign following a natural disaster. These funds were used to support the delivery and distribution of emergency medical supplies to the affected areas and to support the USNS Mercy mission.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has played a significant role in the reduction of tobacco use prevalence in the United States by funding key tobacco control initiatives.
Building the tobacco control movement from the top down was effective, and dramatically accelerated the accomplishments of the movement; however, it also created an over dependency on RWJF funding. RWJF retained DRi to study and develop funding models to ensure the sustainability of tobacco control efforts among its current grantees and partners while locating additional sources of support and preserving the numerous gains made in the field in the past decade.
DRi successfully analyzed the potential funding models including a Federated approach, a Super Fund, and building local capacity, among others. Models were developed and risk and resource analysis were conducted for 6 different approaches. RWJF used this report and analysis to inform and influence its funding of tobacco control projects going forward.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC)
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is the world's leading private, international conservation organization dedicated to preserving the diversity of life on Earth.
TNC contracted DRi to assist in the search and selection of the new Director of Philanthropy for the Maryland Office. DRi approaches executive searches with a three-step process: strategy, search and consideration. During the strategy phase, DRi developed a composite sketch of Nature Conservancy's ideal candidate. After a review of TNC's organizational culture, structure and program work, DRi recruited and screened candidates for the position. We conducted an extensive search to find candidates that have demonstrated success in their field and would complement TNC's mission. As candidates were identified, thoroughly screened and interviewed, DRi evaluated candidates on their ability to build relationships, manage effective teams, and deliver results. In the final phase, DRi presented TNC with a portfolio of competitive candidates. As finalists were determined, DRi worked closely with TNC on all aspects of the interview process, from scheduling to facilitation. At the conclusion of the process, when TNC made their ultimate selection, DRi managed the final reference checks. Having successfully placed Cheryl Barto as Director of Philanthropy, TNC later asked DRi to perform a search for the Director of Prospect Research for their international headquarters.
