Challenges
The organization's early success with a birthday fundraiser and a generous donor was promising, but the growing operating budget, restrictive regulatory context, and the need for significant fundraising support posed new obstacles.
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Limited fundraising experience and need for sustainable funding.
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Evolving from grassroots support to acquiring larger donations for a capital project.
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Balancing philanthropic norms to address disparities across all communities.
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Adjusting to COVID-19 challenges, which heightened the demand for support and transformed traditional fundraising, especially for an organization new to virtual platforms.
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Raising thousands when they needed to raise millions.
Solutions
In response to the challenges, Wright Collective devised a comprehensive set of solutions to guide Neighborhood Birth Center:
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Conducted a needs assessment and impact analysis to set clear goals.
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Outlined the balance between grants and individual donors for sustainable funding.
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Adapted to the virtual landscape during the pandemic while maintaining the goal of securing physical property.
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Embraced an abundance mindset, challenging traditional philanthropic norms, and redefining the narrative around disparities in maternal and child health.
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The impact analysis provided clear financial and fundraising goals rooted in abundance.
Results
The Facts
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Raised $3+ million for the capital campaign, exceeding the initial goal.
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Annual operating budget grew from $250,000 to $1.2 million
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Successfully secured pledges and ongoing donations, expecting a final total of $3.1 to $3.2 million.
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Identified property for the birth center, pending completion of zoning processes.
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Implemented an innovative fundraising strategy with 99% individual donors, challenging reliance on specific foundations.
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Maintained commitment to an abundance mindset, interrupting traditional narratives in philanthropy.
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Built a genuine and trusting partnership with Wright Collective, resulting in a three-year strategy and successful outcomes.
Abundance Breakthrough
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Embraced the notion of abundance, viewing the required funds as a minor fraction in the context of the city/state/nation’s wealth.
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Challenged traditional philanthropic models focused solely on racial disparities, aiming for collective improvement in maternal and child health outcomes.
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Also challenged the philanthropic practice of “bigger cookies” for bigger donors - naming opportunities and such. Really want to honor $5 donors and not reinforce power imbalance, traditional philanthropic naming opportunities and pyramids.
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Conveyed that improving birth outcomes benefits everyone, transcending racial boundaries, and fostering a healthier and more prosperous society.
Testimonial
Nashira Baril
Founder and Executive Director
Working with Wright Collective has been more than a strategic collaboration; it's been a true partnership. We built a beautiful friendship that anchors our work together. . Trust is implicit, they bring not only expertise but also a willingness to learn and experiment alongside us. Together, we co-designed a strategy, constantly tweaking and refining it as we both grew. The fearless approach they brought to fundraising empowered us, and now I proudly wear the 'Fearless Fundraiser' T-shirt they gave me. The success we've achieved is a testament to their commitment to liberating resources and building genuine partnerships. I'm excited about the future of our birth center and the impact it will have across our ecosystem in 2025 and beyond.