A BluePrint for Success: Case Studies of Successful - Educational ...

Sustainability
A Blueprint for Success
To ensure the sustainability of the program, College Track has a diverse funding portfolio that varies
by program site. Through a very active board, College Track has been able to attract funding from
entities like the College Access Foundation of California and celebrities committed to education like
Will.i.am. However, the funding varies by site. Likewise, the CT fundraising strategies have changed
over time and as the program expands to new sites.
The first five to six years of College Track were funded primarily by individual donors, a few foundations
and grants, holiday appeal letters, and one main fundraising event done every year with Pixar.
In 2007, CT hired a Director of Development who built the funding sources over the last four
years to include government, partnerships such as the Urban League, a capital campaign (includes
new market tax credits), and increased revenue from foundations and grants. In addition CT holds
multiple fundraising events, one or two large ones each year and small local events at each site. CT is
initiating local advisory boards to supplement the fundraising efforts of the board. Each site will have
a board that is focused on fundraising for that particular community. The CT Board has been extremely
involved in fundraising efforts. It has a development committee that is responsible for overseeing
the fundraising events, increasing donations from individual donors, and reviewing all of the
organization’s fundraising efforts.
As far as potential challenges to fundraising, CT identified the relative inaccessibility of government
funding, such as 21st Century funds, in California. In New Orleans where we received the funds for
three years, we have come to the end of our contract. Government revenue in general is sparse. The
other huge variable is the economic climate with stock market swings and loss of confidence in the
US and world markets. In 2008, the market downturn had a negative effect on raising funds, particularly
from individual donors. In general, CT is confident that they can withstand these negative
forces due to their strong board and founder, a trend in philanthropy to support college access, and
their track record in raising funds. CT has been creative in meeting fundraising goals and they will
continue in that spirit. Specifically, CT is facing these funding challenges by:
Being more strategic with local fundraising events
Creating local advisory boards to raise funds (increases capacity)
Building the College Track name to attract more foundations/individual donors
Increasing the network of government, foundation, grant contacts and resources
Cultivating more high-income donors
Increasing the number of fund raising events
Working with partners to increase joint fundraising efforts
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