Recent Projects
David Suzuki Foundation
INTERIM DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Through 2010, Andrea Seale is Interim Director of Development for the David Suzuki Foundation, leading the team and working with donors who want to protect the diversity of nature and our quality of life, now and for the future. The development team includes 11 people, raising more than $7M per year through a broad range of fundraising programs. This year is the Foundation’s 20th Anniversary — providing many special opportunities to raise more and connect with donors!
Vancouver International Writers Fest
BUILDING THE ALMA LEE LEGACY FUND
Blueprint worked with the fine people of the Vancouver International Writers Festival to build their endowment – the Alma Lee Legacy Fund. The endowment is providing the Festival with the funds needed for growth, flexibility and long-term stability. Blueprint created a fundraising plan, developed the case for support and worked with a staff and volunteer team to solicit donations from a wide range of supporters. The successful end of the yearlong campaign was celebrated at the 20th annual Festival.
WISH Drop-In Centre
24/7 WELLNESS CENTRE FOR WOMEN
WISH (Women’s Information Safe House) works to increase the health, safety and well-being of women working in the sex trade in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. They provide health care services, advocacy, referrals, a literacy program, meals, showers and personal care items.
In November 2003 they received the $1 million Vancity Award to create the WISH Wellness Centre, a 24/7 facility for women working in survival sex. Blueprint is proud to have worked with WISH to establish an annual fundraising plan, recruit a development director and help raise funds to operate the new facility which opened on November 12, 2008.
Chor Leoni Men’s Choir
ENDOWING THE FUTURE
The talented singers and managers of Chor Leoni Men’s Choir have been busy winning awards and performing sold-out shows. In fall of 2006 they turned their attention to building an endowment, with Blueprint’s help. We prepared the campaign strategy and managed its implementation, working with a dedicated committee of board, staff and singers. The campaign was an incredible success and Chor Leoni now has an endowment, a permanent source of annual funding.
Chelan-Douglas Land Trust
AT THE CROSSROADS
When the Washington-based Chelan-Douglas Land Trust decided to embark on their first-ever endowment campaign, they knew they would need a compelling document to explain the campaign – one that solicitors would be proud to share with prospective donors. Blueprint was hired to create it. See the results for yourself by downloading the PDF below. The campaign was a transformative experience for the organization and they exceeded their goal!
Open Medicine
CREATING A BETTER WAY TO DISSEMINATE HEALTH INFORMATION
Open Medicine is an online, peer-reviewed, independent, open-access medical journal. Its mission is to facilitate the equitable dissemination of high-quality health research; to promote international dialogue and collaboration on health issues; to improve clinical practice; and to expand and deepen the understanding of health and health care. Blueprint worked with the editorial team to develop seed funding for the organization.
Living Oceans Society
SEA THE FUTURE
With the help of the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Living Oceans Society engaged Blueprint in a multi-faceted project to increase and diversify funds. After coaching and on-site work to develop their organization’s fundraising capacity, LOS is now building a base of support from individual donors to support its important environmental campaigns.
Crisis Centre
HERE TO LISTEN. HERE TO HELP.
Blueprint developed a new case for support for the Crisis Intervention and Suicide Prevention Centre of BC to use in its major gift fundraising solicitations. The Crisis Centre has been named “best crisis centre in Canada.” Their volunteers help more than 40,000 people in crisis every year — through a 24-hour Distress Line, YouthInBC.com online chat for teens, and high school workshops on suicide prevention and stress management.
The Banff Centre
INSPIRING CREATIVITY
Before coming to Vancouver, Blueprint principal Andrea Seale spent years fundraising for The Banff Centre. So she was thrilled to be asked to write the case for support for the Centre’s coming $100 million revitalization campaign for new facilities, scholarships, programming and endowment. Explore the online version. Andrea has also provided solicitation training for the Centre’s development team.
BC Association for Community Living
EVERYONE BELONGS
Working with Blueprint on direct mail strategy and copywriting, BCACL saw dramatic increases in the results from their direct mail campaigns including higher average gift and better response rates.
Marmot Recovery Foundation
RAISING MONEY FOR RODENTS?
Blueprint was hired to manage in-kind fundraising for a Marmot Breeding Centre on Vancouver Island. Assisting the Foundation’s dynamic leadership, Blueprint developed a pool of prospects based on the industries associated with building and outfitting of the facility, tailored solicitation strategies and proposals and a created a recognition plan for donors. The campaign met its $1.2M target and the Tony Barrett Mount Washington Marmot Recovery Centre opened in 2002.
H.R. MacMillan Space Centre
SHOOTING FOR THE STARS
In 2005 Blueprint was hired to test the feasibility of a new campaign to renovate existing facilities, purchase new equipment and augment programs.
BEST
MOVING FOR CHANGE
Blueprint has worked with BEST on many successful fundraising initiatives including the 2001 Vancity Award. Blueprint has worked on many successful fundraising projects that have helped BEST become a major force in the Lower Mainland, including:
* Project and proposal development for the first $1 million Vancity Award, given to BEST in 2001
* Conducting a planning study for a $6 million capital campaign to build a new greenway
* Organizing the Board of Directors to implement their first major fundraising campaign
* Fundraising and solicitation training workshops
* Prospecting for new foundation and government support
Canadian Mental Health Association
NEW DIRECTIONS
The Canadian Mental Health Association of Vancouver-Burnaby promotes mental wellness and increases understanding of mental health issues through public education, recreational services and personal empowerment. Blueprint has provided planning services and ongoing consulting to help the Association create stronger resource development programs and build on the success of their Mental Health Voices fundraising event.
Vancouver Arts Awards
On a tight timeline, Blueprint designed and implemented a comprehensive sponsorship program for the inaugural Vancouver Arts Awards. Working with the Alliance for Arts and Culture and the City of Vancouver, Blueprint created a sponsorship plan, identified top prospects, created compelling proposals, solicited commitments from corporations and ensured fulfillment of sponsor benefits.
The Land Conservancy of BC
SPECIAL PLACES. FOREVER, FOR EVERYONE.
Blueprint was retained by TLC to provide strategic advice and consulting services for the Ours Forever Campaign – a capital campaign to raise $30 million over 10 years to purchase and protect environmentally sensitive property in the Capital Regional District of Victoria. In support of the campaign, Blueprint:
* Recruited the Campaign Director
* Worked collaboratively with staff and volunteers to refine the campaign plan
* Created a compelling case statement
* Provided ongoing mentoring for the Director
* Provided solicitation training for TLC staff and volunteers
Vancouver East Cultural Centre
STAGE II: A CULTURAL EVOLUTION
Blueprint provided counsel on selected aspects of the Vancouver East Cultural Centre’s exciting $13.5 million campaign. This included writing the case and creating collateral materials, coaching on lead gift solicitations and creating custom proposals for major donors.