When your nonprofit is ready to scale but lacks the infrastructure to fund its vision, you need more than advice—you need action. The Salus Center, a community hub for 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Lansing, faced this exact challenge. Lacking a development department, they partnered with Onward to build a sustainable fundraising operation from scratch.
The Challenge
The Salus Center knew it needed a development department to secure reliable funding. The problem? They didn’t have the tools, systems, or expertise to create one. Without a donor database, structured materials, or a clear strategy, the organization struggled to engage donors.
The Process
Renee Smith, Onward’s nonprofit fundraising expert, stepped in to transform their vision into reality. Renee didn’t just advise—she built the department step by step:
- Donor CRM Setup: Identified, implemented, and trained the team on a donor management platform to streamline tracking and communication.
- Fundraising Materials: Created evergreen tools like grant proposals and case statements to communicate the mission effectively.
- Strategic Planning: Set clear fundraising goals tied to measurable outcomes, aligned with organizational priorities.
- Team Training: Provided hands-on training, practical templates, and guides so the staff could confidently maintain operations.
- Onboarding Support: Recruited and coached new fundraising staff to sustain and grow the department.
The Outcome
In a few months, the Salus Center had a fully functional development department. With a donor CRM in place, polished materials, and a clear strategy, the team operates with confidence and clarity. No longer just maintaining funding, they’re now positioned to grow it.