Testimonials

The following is a sampling of clients and their respective projects that the Constaré Group has worked together in partnership with their staff, board and communities to achieve successful results.

Grant Writing

Always missing the mark?

Let’s face it; grant writing can be tricky. Assigning this task within the office pool doesn’t always result in the desired effect. You need someone who is trained in grant writing and researches and writes – every day- for you. At the Constaré Group, we have experience in every aspect of successful grant writing from finding granting opportunities to submitting the final draft. Our proven methods take the guesswork out of grant writing, letting you focus on the people you serve.

But don’t take our word for it.

The Center for the Homeless, located in South Bend, Indiana has been providing innovative services to homeless families and individuals since 1988. Their mission is threefold:

1. Break the cycle of homelessness.

2. Bring together disparate groups so that each can discover the worth, dignity and potential of the other.

3. Pioneer a service model worthy of replication.

When the Center for the Homeless approached our firm, we worked directly with their development staff to assess their current grant writing practices, from which we were able to develop and launch a comprehensive grant writing turnkey system. Our method enables organizations to reduce the time spent on researching and writing grants, instead focusing on writing templates that can be easily incorporated into multiple submissions – thus saving time, money and enabling the organization to re-direct their energies into new directions.

"Constaré's great team of professionals helped opened doors to new relationships with foundations that we did not know existed. [They] provided us with the professionalism and expertise that we needed in a time of transition, and they responded to our needs to improve our grant-writing ability. Working with a team like Constaré really brings the level of excellence of [our] whole team to a higher level."

- South Bend Center for the Homeless

Board Management

You’re in this together. Shouldn’t you be on same page?

The Constaré team will analyze your board’s strengths, weaknesses and risks. We work with you to recruit the best members. We develop effective procedures for tackling the most mundane tasks and the most intimidating challenges. With a board you can depend on, you can take your marketing, programming and fundraising to new heights. At the Constaré Group, we realize that sustainability relies on real strength at every level.

But don’t take our word for it.

Touching Tiny Lives Foundation is “dedicated to supporting children and families that are struggling to cope with the ravages of HIV/AIDS in rural Lesotho. The Touching Tiny Lives Foundation strives for the healthy development of all children in Lesotho, and envisions accessible health and social services so that families and communities can care for children affected by HIV/AIDS.

When one of the founding board members approached our group, there was a deep concern that everything the newly organized foundation did should be done on a professional level from fund-raising to marketing, to insuring board participation. One of the first things our firm did was leading a comprehensive analysis of their current board, identifying strengths and weaknesses with our goal to structure their board as an asset to the organization.

"Constaré provided Touching Tiny Lives with expert guidance in many arenas— fundraising activities, newsletter communications to our donors, assistance with development of our Board of Directors, and insight on various legal and technology matters. We strongly recommend Constaré, as their expertise will match your needs. We have nearly 200 young children in Lesotho alive and thriving amidst the trauma of AIDS, and many of those lives can be traced back to the efforts of Constaré."

-Touching Tiny Lives

Donor Management

Overwhelmed?

The Constaré team will work with you to gain and maintain donors for the long term. We have experience building endowments, annual appeals and capital campaigns that succeed. Nonprofits are our passion. We are ready to help your organization cultivate the support it needs to make a difference.

But don’t take our word for it.

Michiana Youth for Christ “is a ministry that provides a safe environment for youth and families.” Further, this organization “provide(s) a relationship with a caring role model, develop(s) student leaders, teach(es) basic life skills.” In order to continue this mission the organization had a desire to increase their exposure and image to raise their fund-raising capacity. The Constaré Group understands the importance of cultivating a donor base for long-term sustainability. We can assist organizations with endowments, annual appeals, and capital campaigns.

"Michiana Area Youth for Christ has found that working with Constaré elevated our exposure and image in the community. We have been able to gain a systematic and duplicatable approach to submitting grants to a wide variety of foundations. I am impressed with the professionalism of the approach along with the integrity of Ryan and his staff and would whole-heartedly endorse this organization. There are few organizations that over deliver-this is one worth developing a collaborative partnership with. We are a more efficient organization today and better prepared for the opportunities of tomorrow because of our association with Constaré."

-Michiana Youth for Christ

Marketing

In a marketing rut?

You need a fresh approach, and the Constaré Group can help you get back on track. From a strategy for achieving your marketing goals, to the actual design, coordination, and strategic distribution of results-driven publications, we do it all. The Constaré team is here to transform your promotion—simplifying your current method while modernizing it. You’re a nonprofit staff member who already wears many hats. Isn’t it time to let someone else market your organization so you can focus on your mission?

But don’t take our word for it.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph County, located in South Bend, Indiana embodies a mission “to provide children who lack sufficient adult support with the opportunities and skills necessary to develop positive personal growth. This is essentially achieved through one-to-one relationships with volunteer mentors, and maintained with supervision and support services provided by the professional staff.” When the executive director first approached our firm, they were facing a potential funding cut that would bear devastating consequences on the level of service they were known for providing the community. Our team immediately worked with their staff and board to provide a complete overhaul of their marketing strategies, which tied directly with their overall fund-development needs. From managing their multiple special events to the annual appeal, finally leading their search and selection process for a development director, we stood by them the entire way. An effective marketing plan will help your organization reach potential donors, host successful special events, and attract committed volunteers. The Constaré Group offers support with media relations, public awareness campaigns, web development, and outreach publications.

“The staff at Constaré provided the support and expertise that our agency needed to take our services to the next level. They helped us to improve and expand upon our special events. They brought our marketing efforts to a higher level of professionalism within the cost constraints of a small nonprofit. The Constaré team assisted the Board of Directors and staff in carrying out our mission in a more efficient and effective way. They are a great group of people to work with, and I can highly recommend them.”

-Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Joseph County

Planned Giving

Our team will evaluate, enhance, and market your program in order to capitalize on planned giving opportunities. We will help potential donors work with your organization to leave a legacy.

Special Events

Is your event turning into a burden? Ever missed a special event at your agency because you were wiped out from the planning process? The Constaré Group is ready to help, whether your fundraiser is big or small, one-time or annual. Our consultants work side-by-side with your team to plan and run professional and profitable events of any type. Constaré will stand with you at every step. We research your options for venues, meals, auction items, giveaways and marketing without losing sight of your budget. And, yes, we even make sure you enjoy your own event –you deserve it!

But don’t take our word for it.

For more than 100 years the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Joseph County had provided a full range of services to the local community. Their mission states simply: Inspired by Gospel values, the St. Vincent de Paul Society brings people together in prayer and in person-to-person service to those who are in need and suffering - providing food, clothing and financial assistance to families in our community. Vincentians witness God's love by embracing all works of charity and justice, and collaborate with others who share this vision. With such a solid donor base (both financial and donations), our group realized that during our first meeting with their staff this organization needed a signature gala that would become their hallmark fundraising event each year. Our team went to work immediately on all facets of the event from negotiating with the venue to providing the sponsor forms down to making sure there was a program on every seat at the event. From signature events to one-time fundraisers, the Constaré Group eases the burden of event planning. With expertise in luncheons, dinners, auctions, raffles, and golf outings, we can make any event a success.

“Constaré was instrumental in pulling together our annual Legacy Luncheon in 2007, and has been a primary networking force in our major fundraising throughout the year. Constaré sees the whole picture— and the details!”

-St. Vincent de Paul of St. Joseph County

Strategic Planning

Ever wish your nonprofit had a better roadmap—or had a roadmap at all?

The Constaré Group can help! Our team will work with your staff to design a strategic plan you can stick to. We come to your organization with a fresh perspective, ready to listen to your goals and identify your needs. Whether preparing you to meet funding challenges or providing professional planning seminars, we offer concrete tools to help you fulfill your mission.

But don’t take our work for it.

Our team has the benefit of seeing your organization from the outside. We will work with your staff to design a strategic plan that begins with a vision statement and ends with an action plan. That is what Legal Environmental Aid Foundation – (LEAF Indiana ) in Valparaiso, Indiana did when they were looking to go from a newly organized nonprofit to the next level of a permanent and stable presence within the local region. LEAF Indiana’s mission “is to provide pro bono legal, technical and educational services that support community efforts to protect and sustain Indiana's natural legacy.” Our firm provided a fund-development study for LEAF Indiana, addressing areas of board management to fund raising directives, all with the underlying goal of strengthening and growing their mission.

“The Constaré Team performed in-depth research to develop dynamic fund development strategies for our organization. Their planning recommendations helped us go beyond just envisioning our future—we took concrete steps towards making our goals a reality.”

- Legal Environmental Aid Foundation of Indiana

Volunteer Management

Feeling swamped?

Take the time to review your resources. At the Constaré Group, we know how vital volunteers are to your organization –and how hard it can be to organize them. Together, we can create a system for recruiting, training and maintaining contact with volunteers that is tailored to your needs. You’ll see real results that start with real people.

But don’t take our word for it.

The Edward W. “Moose” Krause Chapter of the National College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana for nearly forty years has continued to provide scholarships to local scholar-athletes that are renewable for all four years of their college education. The interesting component of this organization is that it is an all volunteer board with no paid staff members, and that is why they turned to our firm to address a multitude of needs, including the management of their marketing and annual events, along with a strategic board re-organization. All nonprofits share similar needs, from marketing to staff shortages, and through effective volunteer recruitment and retention your organization will never miss a beat. The Constaré Group will work with your organization to identify areas where volunteers could be most useful, while cultivating community members to take a vested interest in your mission.

“The Constaré Group helped us take an all-volunteer organization and turn it into a fundraising machine. The team maximized our human resources, working alongside us to identify our needs and recruit dedicated volunteers. The Constaré Group has real solutions for any organization that wants to increase efficiency while keeping personnel costs down.”

- Moose Krause Chapter of the College Football Hall of Fame

501(c)(3) Incorporation

The Constaré Group has helped a number of our clients successfully gain 501(c)(3) status. Our team of experts can walk you through the entire incorporation process but more importantly, assist you in preparing your organization to be successful.