case Studies
Various Municipalities Across the United States
The scope: Encompassing municipal and regional studies across 13 states for Camp Fire Headquarters and American YouthWorks
The project: Market Assessments - Demographics and Competitive Environments
Seeds for Change has conducted dozens of municipality data projects to assess market demographics, competitive landscapes, existing service provider profiles, programmatic partnership opportunities, SWOT analyses, and prospective client trends. We researched financial viability including income and housing trends and potential funding sources. We also studied pay for service versus need-based programming by diving into performance indicators including percentages of families receiving SNAP and other benefits and children on free or reduced lunch programs.
The outcomes: SFCC worked in tandem with leadership in each locality to gather accurate and current data through interviews and data collection, compile that data into usable insights, and provide meaningful recommendations for sustainable local solutions.
The scope: Encompassing municipal and regional studies across 13 states for Camp Fire Headquarters and American YouthWorks
The project: Market Assessments - Demographics and Competitive Environments
Seeds for Change has conducted dozens of municipality data projects to assess market demographics, competitive landscapes, existing service provider profiles, programmatic partnership opportunities, SWOT analyses, and prospective client trends. We researched financial viability including income and housing trends and potential funding sources. We also studied pay for service versus need-based programming by diving into performance indicators including percentages of families receiving SNAP and other benefits and children on free or reduced lunch programs.
The outcomes: SFCC worked in tandem with leadership in each locality to gather accurate and current data through interviews and data collection, compile that data into usable insights, and provide meaningful recommendations for sustainable local solutions.
Headwaters at the Comal
The organization: Headwaters at the Comal, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2017 to transform a 16-acre former New Braunfels Utility’s site located at the headwaters of the Comal River into the Hill Country’s premier education and environmental center.
The project: Development and Capital Campaign Support
The outcomes: SFCC worked in tandem with Headwaters board and staff to develop a campaign theme and campaign collateral, identify prospects, and write grants. The team also created donor recognition and naming opportunities, developed a corporate partner program, and designed a year-end appeal.
The organization: Headwaters at the Comal, a non-profit organization, was founded in 2017 to transform a 16-acre former New Braunfels Utility’s site located at the headwaters of the Comal River into the Hill Country’s premier education and environmental center.
The project: Development and Capital Campaign Support
The outcomes: SFCC worked in tandem with Headwaters board and staff to develop a campaign theme and campaign collateral, identify prospects, and write grants. The team also created donor recognition and naming opportunities, developed a corporate partner program, and designed a year-end appeal.
City of Austin and Travis County, Texas
Mobile Loaves & Fishes - Community First! Village
The organization: Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a Christian social outreach ministry in Austin, Texas that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless since 1998. With the support of tens of thousands of volunteers, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through three core programs: Truck Ministry, Community First! Village, and Community Works.
The project: Homelessness Survey, What is Home? Video, Symposium, and Capital Campaign Feasibility
In 2008-2010, Seeds for Change partnered with Mobile Loaves & Fishes to study homelessness in Austin. More than just a demographic study of those on the streets, we canvassed more than 200 individuals with a 30 question in depth questionnaire. We scripted, filmed, and produced the video "What is Home? Children's Perspective." youtu.be/Mjx-xYFoNEg?feature=shared.
The outcomes: The results of the survey and other research as well as the video were presented to 250 attendees of the Seeds for Change-led Homelessness Symposium at St. Edward's University. Recommendations and findings from all three projects laid the foundation for what has now become the award winning Community First! Village. Our work led to a capital campaign feasibility study. And while he came up with his own slogan that still stands today, we were there when Alan first proclaimed "homelessness is first and foremost the catastrophic loss of family."
Mobile Loaves & Fishes - Community First! Village
The organization: Mobile Loaves & Fishes is a Christian social outreach ministry in Austin, Texas that has been empowering communities into a lifestyle of service with the homeless since 1998. With the support of tens of thousands of volunteers, the organization serves its homeless neighbors through three core programs: Truck Ministry, Community First! Village, and Community Works.
The project: Homelessness Survey, What is Home? Video, Symposium, and Capital Campaign Feasibility
In 2008-2010, Seeds for Change partnered with Mobile Loaves & Fishes to study homelessness in Austin. More than just a demographic study of those on the streets, we canvassed more than 200 individuals with a 30 question in depth questionnaire. We scripted, filmed, and produced the video "What is Home? Children's Perspective." youtu.be/Mjx-xYFoNEg?feature=shared.
The outcomes: The results of the survey and other research as well as the video were presented to 250 attendees of the Seeds for Change-led Homelessness Symposium at St. Edward's University. Recommendations and findings from all three projects laid the foundation for what has now become the award winning Community First! Village. Our work led to a capital campaign feasibility study. And while he came up with his own slogan that still stands today, we were there when Alan first proclaimed "homelessness is first and foremost the catastrophic loss of family."
GlobalAustin
The organization: As part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), GlobalAustin fosters global exchange and promotes citizen diplomacy through a wide range of programs in Austin and Houston. Its programs engage citizens across cultures and create shared understanding through person-to-person interactions.
The project: Development Plan
The outcomes: SFCC worked with GlobalAustin’s board and staff to create a three-year development plan that would enable the organization to diversify funding, focus on capacity building and increase awareness in the philanthropic and global leadership communities. The strategic process resulted in developing a case for support and a rebranding initiative to better position the organization to expand its programming and funding beyond Austin.
The organization: As part of the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), GlobalAustin fosters global exchange and promotes citizen diplomacy through a wide range of programs in Austin and Houston. Its programs engage citizens across cultures and create shared understanding through person-to-person interactions.
The project: Development Plan
The outcomes: SFCC worked with GlobalAustin’s board and staff to create a three-year development plan that would enable the organization to diversify funding, focus on capacity building and increase awareness in the philanthropic and global leadership communities. The strategic process resulted in developing a case for support and a rebranding initiative to better position the organization to expand its programming and funding beyond Austin.
Visiting Nurse Association
The organization: Established in 1934, the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA) provides hospice care, palliative care and nutritious meals for housebound seniors in 16 North Texas counties.
The project: Strategic Planning
SFCC’s team facilitated a strategic planning process to update and rewrite the organization’s three-year strategic plan. Coordinated remotely during COVID-19, the process included conducting community and organizational assessments, a SWOT analysis, and an analysis of market trends and benchmarking with similar organizations across the United States.
The outcomes: SFCC facilitated planning sessions with VNA board members and staff to produce a three-year strategic plan that included measurable benchmarks and new initiatives to guide the organization for the next three years.
The organization: Established in 1934, the Visiting Nurse Association of Texas (VNA) provides hospice care, palliative care and nutritious meals for housebound seniors in 16 North Texas counties.
The project: Strategic Planning
SFCC’s team facilitated a strategic planning process to update and rewrite the organization’s three-year strategic plan. Coordinated remotely during COVID-19, the process included conducting community and organizational assessments, a SWOT analysis, and an analysis of market trends and benchmarking with similar organizations across the United States.
The outcomes: SFCC facilitated planning sessions with VNA board members and staff to produce a three-year strategic plan that included measurable benchmarks and new initiatives to guide the organization for the next three years.
Thriving Hearts Crisis Center (formerly Guadalupe Valley Family Crisis Shelter)
The organization: Based in Seguin, Texas, Thriving Hearts has served victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking in Guadalupe, Gonzales, Karnes, and Wilson Counties since 1983.
The project: SFCC was initially hired to facilitate a capital campaign, including a needs assessment, feasibility study, and campaign planning. It was quickly determined that the organization needed to build a more robust donor base and diverse board before launching a campaign pivoting into a Capital Campaign Readiness project.
The outcomes: SFCC facilitated a board retreat which culminated in a strategic plan, created the organization’s first development and communications plan, and assisted with board recruitment and rebranding. As a result, a new website was launched, and the first development director was hired, whom SFCC mentored and coached. SFCC’s ongoing support included facilitating a meeting focused on board development and organizational growth.
Austin Independent School District – Office of Innovation and Development
The organization: Austin Independent School District is responsible for the strategic long-term viability and day-to-day operations of 130 school campuses, administration and teaching staff, and over 80,000 students. The Office of Innovation and Development helps align partner financial and volunteer resources to support Austin ISD students.
The project: Since 2014 Seeds for Change has provided and continues to provide AISD’s Office of Innovation and Development with highly successful grant proposal writing and grants management within a strategic framework.
The outcomes: Funding has been secured for AISD’s nutrition programs, transportation and SEL curriculum, including catalyst grants from St. David’s Foundation, 3M, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and Impact Austin.
The organization: Austin Independent School District is responsible for the strategic long-term viability and day-to-day operations of 130 school campuses, administration and teaching staff, and over 80,000 students. The Office of Innovation and Development helps align partner financial and volunteer resources to support Austin ISD students.
The project: Since 2014 Seeds for Change has provided and continues to provide AISD’s Office of Innovation and Development with highly successful grant proposal writing and grants management within a strategic framework.
The outcomes: Funding has been secured for AISD’s nutrition programs, transportation and SEL curriculum, including catalyst grants from St. David’s Foundation, 3M, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, and Impact Austin.
SPEER (South-central Partnership for Energy Efficiency as a Resource)
The organization: SPEER is a regional advocacy and educational organization that promotes the adoption of advanced building systems and other energy efficient products in Texas and Oklahoma. Members include private companies, governments and energy/environmental nonprofits.
The project: SFCC was hired to manage SPEER’s five-year strategic planning process. SPEER’s recently hired executive director initiated the strategic planning process to help the organization better assess industry trends and how SPEER could better provide greater impact in a quickly evolving industry. SFCC serves as a consultant, not just as facilitator. We helped the client collect key information and indicators that inform the strategic plan. SFCC conducted an organizational assessment of internal and external processes and impacts. We also managed surveys of staff, board and members. All of these inputs were used to construct the SWOT. Through a series of virtual work sessions with board and staff from across the region, SFCC drafted initial language and potential strategies.
The outcomes: The original strategic plan was completed in 2021. The plan consisted of seven goals related to energy efficient technology and resources (gas, electricity, water and alternative energies); financial management, member services and communications.
Update 2024: Seeds for Change is partnering with Casey Communications to complete a new visionary plan for the next five years of the organization's innovative future. We continue to work closely with staff to draft innovative strategies and tactics to meet their goals.
The organization: SPEER is a regional advocacy and educational organization that promotes the adoption of advanced building systems and other energy efficient products in Texas and Oklahoma. Members include private companies, governments and energy/environmental nonprofits.
The project: SFCC was hired to manage SPEER’s five-year strategic planning process. SPEER’s recently hired executive director initiated the strategic planning process to help the organization better assess industry trends and how SPEER could better provide greater impact in a quickly evolving industry. SFCC serves as a consultant, not just as facilitator. We helped the client collect key information and indicators that inform the strategic plan. SFCC conducted an organizational assessment of internal and external processes and impacts. We also managed surveys of staff, board and members. All of these inputs were used to construct the SWOT. Through a series of virtual work sessions with board and staff from across the region, SFCC drafted initial language and potential strategies.
The outcomes: The original strategic plan was completed in 2021. The plan consisted of seven goals related to energy efficient technology and resources (gas, electricity, water and alternative energies); financial management, member services and communications.
Update 2024: Seeds for Change is partnering with Casey Communications to complete a new visionary plan for the next five years of the organization's innovative future. We continue to work closely with staff to draft innovative strategies and tactics to meet their goals.
Barn Sanctuary (Chelsea, MI)
The organization: Austin entrepreneurs going back to the family farm in Michigan to rescue and care for farm animals while promoting plant-based diets and animal welfare.
The project: In six short weeks, Seeds for Change helped them develop a comprehensive strategic business and fundraising plan, including earned revenue scenarios for eventual self-sufficiency.
The outcomes: Through our work, the Barn Sanctuary was successfully able to acquire foundation funding for capital improvements, capital equipment and the first two years of operations. They also established a comprehensive social media campaign to build awareness, donor base and financial resources. Farm opened on schedule and continues to add rescue animals to the farm family, while creating a very large social media following of advocates and donors.
The organization: Austin entrepreneurs going back to the family farm in Michigan to rescue and care for farm animals while promoting plant-based diets and animal welfare.
The project: In six short weeks, Seeds for Change helped them develop a comprehensive strategic business and fundraising plan, including earned revenue scenarios for eventual self-sufficiency.
The outcomes: Through our work, the Barn Sanctuary was successfully able to acquire foundation funding for capital improvements, capital equipment and the first two years of operations. They also established a comprehensive social media campaign to build awareness, donor base and financial resources. Farm opened on schedule and continues to add rescue animals to the farm family, while creating a very large social media following of advocates and donors.
Austin Independent School District – Office of Innovation and Development
The organization: Austin Independent School District is responsible for the strategic long-term viability and day-to-day operations of 130 school campuses, administration and teaching staff, and over 80,000 students. The Office of Innovation and Development helps align partner financial and volunteer resources to support Austin ISD students.
The project: Seeds for Change led the department’s efforts to research and write a paper on best practices for public school systems to seek outside funding sources.
The outcomes: Publication of a nationally acclaimed paper: Public Schools Philanthropic Support and Resource Communication Strategies: Comparative Analysis and Best Practices Benchmark Study.
The organization: Austin Independent School District is responsible for the strategic long-term viability and day-to-day operations of 130 school campuses, administration and teaching staff, and over 80,000 students. The Office of Innovation and Development helps align partner financial and volunteer resources to support Austin ISD students.
The project: Seeds for Change led the department’s efforts to research and write a paper on best practices for public school systems to seek outside funding sources.
The outcomes: Publication of a nationally acclaimed paper: Public Schools Philanthropic Support and Resource Communication Strategies: Comparative Analysis and Best Practices Benchmark Study.
