1. Does ByrneAllen expect my board and staff to raise the money?

ByrneAllen understands that it would be much easier (and more profitable) for us to try to "teach your board and staff to raise money" - after all, that is what most fundraising consultants do. We understand, however, that a consultant making periodic visits to "check on your progress" does not guarantee a successful campaign. We formed ByrneAllen in 1995 in order to offer non-profit organizations an unprecedented level of accountability when it came to hiring "fundraising counsel" for their campaign. To be accountable, a consultant must take responsibility for the campaign and for the solicitation process. We welcome the assistance of board and staff members, but we accept the responsibility of raising the commitments necessary to achieve the campaign goal.

2. Will ByrneAllen contract separately for the feasibility study & campaign?

ByrneAllen will present you with a comprehensive Proposal containing all terms, conditions, fees and expenses for both the feasibility study and a fundraising campaign. In contrast to other firms, you are under no obligation to continue our engagement beyond the 60-day feasibility study. Your decision to hire ByrneAllen for a campaign comes only after we've presented your organization with the goal we are willing to guarantee to raise.

3. How many interviews will ByrneAllen commit to completing during the feasibility study?

Most fundraising consultants will interview 30-35 persons, some over the telephone, during their study. In our experience, the more face-to-face interviews conducted during the feasibility study, the more likely the campaign will be a success. Why? The interviews draw comments, ideas and interest from business, church (Habitat for Humanity campaigns) and political leaders prior to the commencement of a campaign. Interviewing more of these leaders translates to more investors during the campaign. ByrneAllen normally conducts 80-100+ one-on-one, face-to-face interviews during a two-month feasibility study. Based on that level of research, ByrneAllen can confidently guarantee to raise the campaign goal.

4. Following the feasibility study, will ByrneAllen guarantee to raise a specific dollar amount or, like other consultants, simply identify an amount they believe is "feasible" for a campaign?

ByrneAllen believes in partnering with our clients. A true partner shares the risks as well as the rewards. Following the feasibility study, ByrneAllen guarantees to raise a specific campaign goal by a specific date. We place a percentage of our monthly compensation and an additional month of work on the table until we meet that goal. We believe we are the only company with the track record and confidence to offer such a guarantee. (see ByrneAllen Guarantee)

5. Does ByrneAllen employ a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all approach to its campaigns?

ByrneAllen understands that every community and every client is unique and requires a creative fundraising program and campaign. We do not "re-use" campaign slogans or names. While others call their economic development or chamber of commerce campaigns "Forward (fill in the city name") or "Advantage (fill in the city name") or use similar names for Habitat for Humanity campaigns, we believe each community deserves a dedicated and creative effort. Lexington Strides Ahead, Take AIM Savannah, All Aboard Jackson, Coweta Points to the Future, Vamos El Paso, Climbing to New Heights and other campaigns were developed specifically for their communities, taking into account the unique "personality" of each community. For our Habitat for Humanity clients, our Hammer it Home...Cobb, Meeting the Challenge, Building Homes...Changing Lives, Building on Tradition and Making Cherokee Home campaigns were uniquely tailored to meet the needs of their communities as well.

6. Is ByrneAllen willing to make a written commitment as to the number of days the Project Director will be on-site in your community working on your campaign?

We are not "fundraising consultants" who show up every other week and "advise" you on your campaign. We are your active, on-site partners. ByrneAllen commits to be on-site working on your project for a minimum of 3-4 days per week, every week of the feasibility study and campaign.

7. Is ByrneAllen willing to make a written commitment as to the quality of campaign pledges?

In contrast to some fundraising consultants, we will not pursue and we will not count "value-in-kind" pledges that are of limited use to our clients. All commitments must be accepted by our clients as "budget-reducing" items prior to being counted toward our campaign goal.

8. Is ByrneAllen willing to "cap" the total cost of the project as part of its Proposal?

In addition to detailing our competitively priced monthly fees and offering our ByrneAllen Guarantee, ByrneAllen caps the Feasibility Study expenses and Campaign expenses. With our company, there are no "estimated" expense budget amounts and, thus, no "surprises" that cost you more after the contract is signed.

9. Is ByrneAllen willing to be an investor in the campaign?

ByrneAllen believes in the mission of each client and in the multi-year plan being funded. We are proud to support your campaign and become an investor in the campaign by making a multi-year financial commitment at the conclusion of the campaign. By doing so, ByrneAllen partners with our clients long after the end of the campaign.