Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington, D.C. Orr Group partnered with RMDHC DC to assess its Corporate Partnership Plan and developed a roadmap for its new corporate giving structure. Following the assessment, our team stepped in as interim Corporate Giving Officer to implement the plan, increase donor engagement, and oversee the moves management process.
Situation Formed in 1980, Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Washington, DC (RMHCDC) operates two houses, three family rooms, two care mobiles, and three hospitality carts, all geared towards serving the families of pediatric patients in the greater Washington, DC area. RMHCDC was considering undertaking a capital campaign to greatly expand its facility in northern Virginia. RMDHC DC partnered with Orr Group to a establish a realistic plan to meet pending capital needs via a two phased $15 million campaign, develop a case for support, and identify lead gift prospects to support the campaign.
Solution Orr Group’s analysis found that while the board of directors was dedicated and staff leadership was strong, a one-year quiet phase prior to launching a campaign would greatly assist RMDHC DC in building relationships with potential lead donors. This quiet phase would also allow RMDHC DC to ramp up its fundraising systems and staffing to accommodate the additional lift that would be required for a successful campaign. Following the completion of the campaign planning study, we joined the RMDHC DC team to provide outsourced fundraising services focused on major individual gifts and corporate partnerships. As part of this work, we’ve helped secure the campaign’s lead gift and RMDHC DC’s first 7-figure contribution. Orr Group also began collaborating with RMDHC DC’s CEO and Board governance committee on a significant undertaking to transform the Board of Directors. RMDH DC sought to go from a large and relatively under engaged Board to a small cohort of strategic and influential leaders. As part of this work, our team designed the approach, conceptualized the new structure, and worked to build consensus amongst the current Board to approve the needed governance and by-laws changes. Once agreed upon, we turned toward active recruitment of the new Board. Most recently, RMDH DC has engaged Orr Group to complete a Corporate Partnership Plan assessment including a roadmap with recommendations for its new Corporate Giving structure. As part of that work, we are reviewing and assessing current corporate donor relationships, developing a customized plan with recommendations based on landscape analysis, and are identifying and researching a robust corporate prospect list who’s giving interests align with RMDH DC. In addition to strengthening their corporate partnership programming, Orr Group has stepped in to serve as interim Corporate Giving Officer to implement the Corporate Partnership plan, increase corporate donor engagement, and oversee the moves management process to ensure successful solicitation for each prospect.