Plan Strategically.
Raise More Money.
Plan Strategically.
Raise More Money.
- Launches $55M Hogan Park Redevelopment Campaign
The Midland Quality of Place Initiative’s focus is to ensure the City of Midland’s vibrancy through planned urban areas that fuse together design, architecture, connectivity and quality green pedestrian spaces. The first phase of this initiative will be focused on the 120-acre redevelopment of Hogan Park – a project slated as a priority from the community. Midland Quality of Place first engaged Dini Spheris to carry out a campaign planning study to understand the potential support outside of the Midland area. At the conclusion of the study, Dini Spheris recommended that a strong public-private partnership would help garner support from outside Midland where funders were looking at details such as governance and maintenance structures, financial commitment from the City, as well as an ongoing partnership. Midland Quality of Place retained Dini Spheris to continue campaign counsel as it embarks on the $55 million initiative.
- Midland, TX
- Celebrates Surpassing $125M Campaign Goal by More Than $10M
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) in Huntsville, Texas, is one of the seven universities that make up the Texas State University System. In its most recent campaign, Dini Spheris provided both campaign planning and campaign counsel to SHSU. SHSU wanted to explore a comprehensive campaign with a wide array of objectives including capital, athletics, scholarships and program funding. Following the study, Dini Spheris provided counsel during the earliest phases of the campaign, working to clarify the priorities of the University and aligning the appreciation and passion of the lead gift prospects. The University formally concluded the campaign, exceeding the initial $125 million goal by more than $10 million.
- Huntsville, TX
- Completes its First Campaign in 10 Months - Secures Largest Gift Ever Received
SIRE is dedicated to helping people with special needs through therapeutic horsemanship activities and therapies and educational outreach. Since its founding in 1983, SIRE has grown from serving a few riders each week to providing 8,300 service hours for a weekly riding program. To meet the continued demand and enhanced programs, SIRE retained Dini Spheris to carry out Campaign Planning services and test the interest in supporting the growth of its Spring campus. After the study, Dini Spheris continued as counsel for SIRE’s first campaign of $3.3 million. In 10 months, SIRE raised over $3.3 million and received several of its largest gifts in the midst of the pandemic.
- Houston, TX
- Receives Two First Seven-Figure Gifts, Both from Out-of-State
Conway Regional Health System (Conway Regional) has served patients in Central Arkansas for more than 100 years. To meet the healthcare needs of the growing communities, Conway Regional launched the Growing Together campaign – its largest campaign of $8 million. This campaign will provide the additional dollars needed with the system’s investment to enhance and expand services in 19 areas of the health system. Conway Regional retained Dini Spheris for both the campaign planning as well as campaign counsel to help achieve this historic goal for the Health System. From this partnership, not only did Conway Regional Health System receive its first seven-figure gift, but also its second seven-figure gift, both from out-of-state. One of the gifts was a $2 million gift from the Sunderland Foundation- the largest gift the Foundation had given in Arkansas at the time.
- Conway, AR
- Strengthens Culture of Philanthropy
With clear goals of raising the profile of the College, engaging Foundation board members and drawing attention to the work of its Foundation beyond scholarships, St. Louis Community College retained Dini Spheris to carry out a Campaign Planning Study, leading to a $20M comprehensive campaign. Focal points of the effort highlighted STLCC’s flagship centers of excellence in Nursing & Health Sciences, IT, Student Success/Scholarships and Workforce development. Dini Spheris took on the role of campaign management, both driving the strategy as well as the tactical aspects of prospect research, major gift strategy and engagement. During this time, there was a significant shift in the culture of philanthropy, specifically highlighting the Foundation Board, whose enhanced involvement and drive resulting in many new and stretch gifts. Together, this pivot in philanthropic focus as a priority for leadership helped STLCC reach its largest campaign success in its nearly 60-year history.
- St. Louis, MO
- Solidifies Community Confidence with Transformational Strategic Plan
Katy Christian Ministries (KCM) has been helping local families and individuals fight poverty, food insecurity, domestic violence and sexual assault since 1984. KCM is one of the many critical human services agencies in the Fort Bend and Harris County area ecosystem and a member of the Alliance of Community Assistance Ministries (ACAM). Dini Spheris was retained to help with the strategic plan with a focus on restoring community support and confidence in KCM. Dini Spheris’ approach to strategic planning was intentionally designed to engage more than 150 stakeholders to reengage the community with the agency and help guide its next years. The resulting plan centered on 15 core goals that guided the path and vision for Katy Christian Ministries for the next four years. With the strategic plan now completed, Katy Christian Ministries has re-established itself as the go-to agency in the community, a testament to the importance of an enduring strategic vision and implementation process.
- Katy, TX
- Leverages Challenge Grants to Achieve Campaign Success
The Bridge Over Troubled Waters (TBOTW)is dedicated to providing services to victims of domestic violence; it is one of the largest facilities in Texas by the volume of people they care for and serve. TBOTW retained Dini Spheris to plan and launch an $8.7 million quick-response campaign for a much-needed new shelter. The resulting campaign plan devised a phased strategy while deepening its donor relationships and widening the prospect pool. Dini Spheris shepherded the TBOTW team of volunteers and staff through a successful campaign, supported by a strong push from the Kresge Foundation and a challenge grant that TBOTW was able to leverage in the community. Dini Spheris has partnered again with TBOTW to serve as campaign counsel as they look to expand this campus to reach the growing demand for dedicated space for children and youth. TBOTW has launched the $9M A Bridge for Kids campaign and has been granted another challenge grant, this time by the Mabee Foundation, which will be an impetus and drive for the campaign’s success.
- Baytown & Pasadena, TX
- $15M Expansion Aims to Help Meet 70M Meal Goal
Second Harvest Food Bank leads the fight against hunger in South Louisiana partnering with over 500 agencies across 23 parishes. With one in five households facing food insecurity in the area, SHFB would need to more than double the number of meals distributed to meet the growing need. To this end, SHFB partnered with Dini Spheris for campaign planning services and immediately following campaign counsel services to implement a $15 million campaign that would fund short- and long-term investments to fund capital enhancements, community partnership programs and sustainability through debt reduction and endowment. With more than 90% of the campaign funded, Second Harvest reengaged Dini Spheris as it looks to envision and define its future through a strategic planning process.
- New Orleans, LA
- Completes $14.15M Campaign & Moves into New J.D. Robinson Building
In the wake of three hurricane-related and seasonal floods, Christian Community Service Center (CCSC) engaged Dini Spheris as a partner in the planning and implementation of its first capital campaign in more than 20 years to help build a new facility including program suites, a new food bank, warehouse and administrative offices. With its $14.15 million dollar goal achieved, CCSC has completed construction and moved into the JD Robinson Building on the WT & Louise J. Moran Campus. This new home is its first building specially designed for CCSC’s work and mission and will provide the opportunity for growth for a variety of CCSC’s programs.
- Houston, TX
- Overcomes Challenges, Raises $14M and Breaks Ground
Amazing Place helps families with the challenges of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease with the mission of empowering lives disrupted by dementia. Annually, it serves over 6,800 individuals through its Day Program and Connections Program, which includes Family Caregiver Support and Education, and Brain Health Education. Amazing Place partnered with Dini Spheris to implement the $20 million campaign Amazing Together Campaign, aiming to establish a second facility in West Houston, expand their Drexel facility to house the growing Connections team, and grow scholarships and endowment. Dini Spheris consulting team provided campaign planning and campaign counsel to help raise $14 million and transition the campaign into its public phase. The campaign faced challenges posed by external factors, such as a global pandemic and rising construction prices, which led to an increase in the campaign goal. Despite the challenges and thanks to perseverance and creativity, Amazing Place completed its expansion of its second floor, which houses the Connections Program, and a year later celebrated the groundbreaking for the new West Houston location. This campaign is poised to significantly enhance the impact of Amazing Place in aiding families dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s while advancing brain health for all.
- Houston, TX
- Through Coaching, Emboldens Leadership in Fundraising Approach
Odessa College has shared a partnership with Dini Spheris for more than ten years, having first retained the team to work with their fundraising committee to develop a major gift strategy to raise $10 million to build a new Fine Arts Center, fund Learning Resource Center renovations and additions, and increase support for the athletics program and scholarships. During our initial engagement, the College received three seven-figure gifts from individual supporters. Dini Spheris has continued to work closely with Odessa College President, Dr. Gregory Williams, and the Foundation team, with a focus on Leadership Coaching, honing their approach to fundraising, deepening the sense of mission and establishing a bold culture for asking. Odessa College continues to celebrate proud milestones and achievements, such as receiving a $7 million grant from MacKenzie Scott in 2021 and, while celebrating its 75th Anniversary, breaking ground on the Wood Health Sciences Building.
- Odessa, TX
- Exceeds $22.5M Goal & Relocates to the Texas Medical Center
The nationally renowned Texas Hearing Institute (THI), formerly known as The Center for Hearing and Speech, enables children with hearing loss to reach their full potential by teaching them listening, speaking and literacy skills. THI retained Dini Spheris for a planning study and campaign counsel to fulfill a $22.5 million vision for a new facility and a historic partnership with Texas Children’s Hospital. The campaign was a success with four seven-figure gifts and many individual contributions to exceed its goal by $200,000. With the new center open, THI will be able to double the number of clients it serves, increase their impact and set a standard of excellence in service delivery for children with hearing loss across the state and the country.
- Houston, TX
- Completes $17.5M Campaign in Record Timing for New Hope Lodge
Over 3,700 cancer patients travel more than 40 miles for treatment in Oklahoma City. Paired with barriers such as lack of transportation or the cost of affordable lodging during treatment, many patients forego the option of treatment. This made the vision very clear for the American Cancer Society of Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City needed a Hope Lodge community that would offer a home away from home for cancer patients and would be the only free lodging program available for adult cancer patients and caregivers in the area. With the counsel of Dini Spheris in the early stages of campaign planning and throughout the launch of the campaign, the American Cancer Society of Oklahoma City was able to quickly garner support from the community and completed the $17.5 million campaign in less than two years.
- Oklahoma City, OK
- Raises Millions & Plays a Pivotal Role During Pandemic
Texas Biomedical Research Institute (Texas Biomed) is the only nonprofit, infectious disease research institute with its sole focus dedicated to eradicating infectious diseases. Even before COVID, Texas BioMed had the vision to bring together the right people, in the right space with the right programs that would allow Texas BioMed to become the world leader in infectious disease research. To execute a $250 million vision, Dini Spheris worked with Texas Biomed in the campaign planning phase for the comprehensive goal, as counsel during the first $50 million phase, and again as counsel during the major gift funding initiative for the vaccine efforts, identifying and engaging new partners from across the state and the country. Together, we raised millions of dollars to drive the research to fight infections disease, and ultimately, Texas Biomed was fundamental in the testing and development of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
- San Antonio, TX
- Strengthens University By Accelerating "The Call Toward Tomorrow" Strategic Plan
The Call Toward Tomorrow is a vibrant new roadmap for the future of the University of St. Thomas. Dini Spheris facilitated the strategic planning process that resulted in five priorities and 18 goals addressing many aspects of the University, from organizational structure admissions to academic programs to campus culture, ethos and spirit. The vision has contributed to a number of major decisions at the University, including its academic offerings, operational model, the development of a new second campus north of Houston, and new programs, such as cybersecurity and engineering.
- Houston, TX
- Receives $5.4M Gift
The National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) is a diverse and multifaceted cultural and educational enterprise that is part of the Smithsonian Institution. The Museum has three facilities in three different states with independent governing boards, volunteers, development staff and donors. Dini Spheris engaged with NMAI to initiate and execute a collaborative and comprehensive individual giving program that supports all of the facilities. Final plans were approved that addressed regional and national fundraising strategies, messaging to motivate major gifts from a broad range of donor prospects, changes to the membership giving structure, and a prospect management plan for the development team. This plan quickly led to commitments of $18.4 million against the annual goal of $11.6 million, including a surprise gift of $5.4 million.
- Washington, D.C.
- Completes $65M Expansion & Renovation
St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, the nation’s largest Episcopal Church, has expanded the facilities across its campus with the successful completion of the Building for the Ages campaign that included funding for a new Parish Life Center, a new Chapel, a new Music Building and a new Pastoral Care Center. The continuous growth in St. Martin’s membership led to the development of the master plan for this campus. Dini Spheris was engaged as campaign counsel to kick off this transformative campaign. The capital campaign is the most successful in the church’s history with more than 900 families participating.
- Houston, TX
- Exceeds Campaign Goal in Months and Accelerates Impact during Pandemic
Serving nearly 30,000 individuals each year, Network of Community Ministries is a leading community-based social service organization in Greater Dallas. After record-high demand following two major disasters – area tornados and the COVID-19 pandemic – Network dramatically increased its programs (including food distribution and rental assistance) and launched new collaborative partnerships. To sustain this growth, leaders searched for a new campus with expanded programming space for Network and its partner agencies. Retaining Dini Spheris to launch its Building for our Neighbors Campaign, Network quickly achieved success, exceeding its $5.5M goal within a year and receiving the organization’s first seven-figure gift. With its new campus open, Network now serves as a hub for services for the Richardson ISD community, with the capacity for effective emergency response and to support long-term stabilization for area families.
- Dallas, TX
What We Do
We are more than just consultants. We are powerful problem solvers, fundraisers and strategists, and we will partner with you every step of the way to help you reach your fundraising, leadership and performance goals.
Campaign
Counsel
The hallmark of Dini Spheris fundraising services is our team-based model of campaign counseling. With the combined strength of our experts in campaign strategy, major gifts, campaign operations and the dynamics of day-to-day campaign management, we support the most sophisticated advancement team, or the small organization engaged in its first major capital campaign.
Strategic
Planning
Campaign
Planning Study
A Campaign Planning Study tests more than feasibility. It is a structured process of discovery with major gift prospects and potential campaign leaders. Through carefully crafted conversations, the campaign vision, objectives and goals are explored in order to shape a successful campaign strategy and advance engagement.
Major Gift & Annual Fund Program Counsel
The Values We Bring to Our Work
Excellence
Our standards and expectations are high.
Hungry &
Hard-Working
We love our work.
Teamwork
We value collaboration everystep of the way.
MacGyverish
We are resourceful, especially in a pinch.
Judgment
You can’t teach it, but we have it and we use it.
Wow!
The reaction we aspire to generate in every interaction.
People Behind Our Purpose
Want to speak with one of our consultants?
We welcome inquiries, questions, conversations and RFPs about your goals, vision and fundraising or strategic plans.