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OUR WORK
Deeply Rooted in the Non-Profit Sector
The Ostara Group grew directly out of the non-profit sector and has exclusively served mission-driven organizations for over 15 years throughout the Pacific Northwest and as far afield as Hawai’i and Washington D.C.
Our team members come with deep experience working directly in the field in just about every non-profit role, bringing diverse expertise and perspectives. Through our broad portfolio of client work we have partners in every sector, from higher education to human services and the arts, whether just forming or celebrating their 100th anniversary!
Wherever your organization is at, we’ve been there. When building board capacity with groups large and small, evolving fundraising and grants strategies to scale-up results, or planning and co-managing over 30 campaigns from $1M - $30M, we tailor our work to your needs to ensure your organization is set-up for success.
Below are just a handful of case studies and testimonials from the huge community of clients we have had the honor to serve. Contact us to discuss your needs and ideas, or to share your experiences and feedback as well!
"We developed a genuine partnership with our Ostara team. They got to know us and our organization inside and out, and as a result their recommendations were meaningful and applicable. Their professionalism, experience, and compassion was a dynamite combination that will impact our program for many years to come."
Claire Acey | Director of External Relations at Children's Therapy Center
Case Studies
Porchlight (formerly Congregations for the Homeless)
Porchlight, formerly known as Congregations for the Homeless (CFH), operates East King County’s only emergency men’s shelter and provides wraparound programs and care to support men experiencing homelessness.
In 2018, the organization cast a vision to build the eastside’s first and only permanent emergency men’s shelter, and began raising capital to renovate their temporary shelter and construct a permanent facility. In 2021, with $10 million in government and private commitments in hand, they sought to raise a final $5.5 million in private funds over 1-2 years.
Ostara was hired to provide comprehensive campaign counsel, including establishing clear goals, timelines and reports, managing and training volunteer fundraisers, advising on grants and major donor strategy, and project managing campaign meetings and activities. With our practical experience shepherding large capital campaigns and our empathetic, shoulder-to-shoulder approach, we embedded with the team to navigate the complex project and relationships.
With a strengths-based approach, Ostara helped leverage an effective steering committee, project team and executive director, as well as expand the case for support and goal around a more comprehensive $25 million vision to account for increased costs, capital reserves and startup operating expenses. Over the next 18 months, the vision was met with enthusiasm by the funding community, and as construction drew to completion, the staff took the campaign over goal with a public phase and celebration in 2023.
In 2018, the organization cast a vision to build the eastside’s first and only permanent emergency men’s shelter, and began raising capital to renovate their temporary shelter and construct a permanent facility. In 2021, with $10 million in government and private commitments in hand, they sought to raise a final $5.5 million in private funds over 1-2 years.
Ostara was hired to provide comprehensive campaign counsel, including establishing clear goals, timelines and reports, managing and training volunteer fundraisers, advising on grants and major donor strategy, and project managing campaign meetings and activities. With our practical experience shepherding large capital campaigns and our empathetic, shoulder-to-shoulder approach, we embedded with the team to navigate the complex project and relationships.
With a strengths-based approach, Ostara helped leverage an effective steering committee, project team and executive director, as well as expand the case for support and goal around a more comprehensive $25 million vision to account for increased costs, capital reserves and startup operating expenses. Over the next 18 months, the vision was met with enthusiasm by the funding community, and as construction drew to completion, the staff took the campaign over goal with a public phase and celebration in 2023.
Lavender Rights Project
Lavender Rights Project elevates the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services. They provide life-saving policy and social change advocacy, comprehensive care, and legal services to Black, indigenous, and LGBTQ+ individuals, with a particular emphasis on supporting Black trans communities. Their three areas of impact (Gender Based Violence Prevention, Housing and Economic Justice) provide stability, joy, and safety for Black gender diverse people in Washington State and across the USA.
As the Lavender Right Project's community impact expanded, so did its requirement for stable and sustainable funding. It became increasingly crucial for the organization that the individuals spearheading this initiative were from within the Black Trans community. Unfortunately, systemic barriers have historically restricted opportunities for Black Trans individuals in the development sector. Consequently, LRP resolved to employ individuals from within the community and provide them with coaches and mentors to bolster their professional growth and development.
The Ostara Group was privileged to be selected to coach and mentor LRP's emerging leaders, assisting in their development while also aiding in the formulation and implementation of fundraising strategies that resonated with their core values.
As a result of Ostara's support and expertise, LRP's revenue has seen a significant increase, marking a major milestone for the organization. But beyond the numbers, LRP staff members have not only grown in their roles but have also been elevated to positions of leadership within the organization and at other organizations in our community.
As the Lavender Right Project's community impact expanded, so did its requirement for stable and sustainable funding. It became increasingly crucial for the organization that the individuals spearheading this initiative were from within the Black Trans community. Unfortunately, systemic barriers have historically restricted opportunities for Black Trans individuals in the development sector. Consequently, LRP resolved to employ individuals from within the community and provide them with coaches and mentors to bolster their professional growth and development.
The Ostara Group was privileged to be selected to coach and mentor LRP's emerging leaders, assisting in their development while also aiding in the formulation and implementation of fundraising strategies that resonated with their core values.
As a result of Ostara's support and expertise, LRP's revenue has seen a significant increase, marking a major milestone for the organization. But beyond the numbers, LRP staff members have not only grown in their roles but have also been elevated to positions of leadership within the organization and at other organizations in our community.
Green Lake Preschool & Childcare Center
Providing top quality for children care for more than 30 years, the Greenlake & Woodland Hall preschool and childcare centers strive to ensure that every child in their care understand that they belong in the world, and grows into a resilient, productive, caring adult who value and appreciate diversity. Through a cohesive team of highly trained, caring early childhood educators, the schools provide a learning environment that supports children to become curious and engaged life-long learners: exploring their world, developing self-esteem, and forging meaningful relationships.
With the onset of the pandemic and an imminent staff restructure, the board reached out to Ostara asking for interim Executive Director services. The scope of services included operational oversight, providing leadership to the COVID-19 crisis, helping the organization design an appropriate organizational structure, and provide a strategy for hiring a permanent leader for the organization.
Over the next nine months Ostara stabilized operations, including financials and human resources, reorganized staff, developed and provided a covid 19 response plan and supporting communication, and led a search process – resulting in the placement of a new Executive Director in November 2020. After nine months of stable leadership, Ostara re-engaged to lead a board retreat, followed by a strategic planning process, board development, and executive coaching.
As a result of this partnership, the organization has stabilized staffing and created a supportive culture and staffing plan that works in the best interest of the children, families, and staff members. They have an extensive waiting list for each school, a healthy financial reserve, increased teacher salaries, and have purchased property to expand enrolment and enhance program curriculum. The have created organizational alignment through the revision of the school’s vision, mission and values and recently approved a new strategic plan.
With the onset of the pandemic and an imminent staff restructure, the board reached out to Ostara asking for interim Executive Director services. The scope of services included operational oversight, providing leadership to the COVID-19 crisis, helping the organization design an appropriate organizational structure, and provide a strategy for hiring a permanent leader for the organization.
Over the next nine months Ostara stabilized operations, including financials and human resources, reorganized staff, developed and provided a covid 19 response plan and supporting communication, and led a search process – resulting in the placement of a new Executive Director in November 2020. After nine months of stable leadership, Ostara re-engaged to lead a board retreat, followed by a strategic planning process, board development, and executive coaching.
As a result of this partnership, the organization has stabilized staffing and created a supportive culture and staffing plan that works in the best interest of the children, families, and staff members. They have an extensive waiting list for each school, a healthy financial reserve, increased teacher salaries, and have purchased property to expand enrolment and enhance program curriculum. The have created organizational alignment through the revision of the school’s vision, mission and values and recently approved a new strategic plan.
FamilyWorks Seattle
FamilyWorks operates a food bank and family resource center in North Seattle. They partner with families to alleviate food insecurity and ensure they have resources and support to overcome systemic barriers to equity, build stable communities, and thrive.
In 2022, FamilyWorks was beginning work on a new strategic plan, which included a vision for a new Family Resource Center facility and renovations to their existing foodbank. At the time, they needed both campaign planning support as part of this process, as well as interim Development leadership.
Ostara had an existing relationship with FamilyWorks from some prior planning and facilitation work. With our expertise in annual fundraising, capital campaigns and the food security sector, we customized a team and approach that met their needs for both launching their vision and sustaining their fundraising program and team. Together, we soon transitioned to campaign counsel as they embarked on their most ambitious capital campaign ever, which included new and renovated facilities, expanding critical programming and boosting their investment in staff.
The vision is becoming a reality in phases under excellent leadership as the new Family Resource Center opened its doors in 2023 and fundraising accelerated from public, foundation and private funders. Food Bank renovations are underway in 2024, and the momentum of the campaign has delivered new opportunities to grow their goal and impact in the community. As is always Ostara’s goal, the staff and volunteer team’s capacity to fundraise has also increased, which will ensure financial success through the campaign and well beyond.
In 2022, FamilyWorks was beginning work on a new strategic plan, which included a vision for a new Family Resource Center facility and renovations to their existing foodbank. At the time, they needed both campaign planning support as part of this process, as well as interim Development leadership.
Ostara had an existing relationship with FamilyWorks from some prior planning and facilitation work. With our expertise in annual fundraising, capital campaigns and the food security sector, we customized a team and approach that met their needs for both launching their vision and sustaining their fundraising program and team. Together, we soon transitioned to campaign counsel as they embarked on their most ambitious capital campaign ever, which included new and renovated facilities, expanding critical programming and boosting their investment in staff.
The vision is becoming a reality in phases under excellent leadership as the new Family Resource Center opened its doors in 2023 and fundraising accelerated from public, foundation and private funders. Food Bank renovations are underway in 2024, and the momentum of the campaign has delivered new opportunities to grow their goal and impact in the community. As is always Ostara’s goal, the staff and volunteer team’s capacity to fundraise has also increased, which will ensure financial success through the campaign and well beyond.
Ballard Food Bank
Ballard Food Bank’s mission is to bring food and hope to our neighbors…because there can be enough for everyone. To achieve this mission, Ballard Food Bank provides access to nutritious foods and services that support self-sufficiency through our food bank, home delivery, and weekend food for kids program, as well as an emergency financial assistance program. Ballard Food Bank serves northwest Seattle across seven zip codes, all the way up to 145th.
With the lease on their current building ending, the food bank was in need of a new home. To help plan and prepare for the major fundraising required to fund a new space, Ballard Food Bank engaged Ostara to do strategic planning, interim staffing, grant research and execution, talent management, campaign planning, and campaign counsel.
Ostara was able to partner holistically with Ballard Food Bank. From board retreats to the campaign planning study to interim staffing, grant research and management, and campaign counsel, Ostara has been a consistent thought and strategic partner with the food bank. We have also had the privilege of working shoulder-to-shoulder with food bank staff to help ensure that annual fundraising efforts continue to advance while helping to meet critical campaign milestones.
Ballard Food Bank has experienced tremendous growth and continues serving the community through its grocery store-model food bank and resource hub. The food bank also continues its efforts to raise funds for their new home on Leary Ave. Ostara is proud to remain as both a strategy and execution partner with the food bank to help realize their ambitious vision to ensure that all in our community are food secure and have the resources we need to thrive.
With the lease on their current building ending, the food bank was in need of a new home. To help plan and prepare for the major fundraising required to fund a new space, Ballard Food Bank engaged Ostara to do strategic planning, interim staffing, grant research and execution, talent management, campaign planning, and campaign counsel.
Ostara was able to partner holistically with Ballard Food Bank. From board retreats to the campaign planning study to interim staffing, grant research and management, and campaign counsel, Ostara has been a consistent thought and strategic partner with the food bank. We have also had the privilege of working shoulder-to-shoulder with food bank staff to help ensure that annual fundraising efforts continue to advance while helping to meet critical campaign milestones.
Ballard Food Bank has experienced tremendous growth and continues serving the community through its grocery store-model food bank and resource hub. The food bank also continues its efforts to raise funds for their new home on Leary Ave. Ostara is proud to remain as both a strategy and execution partner with the food bank to help realize their ambitious vision to ensure that all in our community are food secure and have the resources we need to thrive.
Bloedel Reserve
Located on Bainbridge Island in Puget Sound, Bloedel Reserve is a 140-acre preserve dedicated to enriching people’s lives through a premier public garden of natural land and designed Pacific Northwest landscapes.
In 2018, The Reserve had recently developed a Master Plan, was midway through a $25M campaign, and without a full development team. Ostara was engaged to provide a development assessment, interim development leadership and campaign management, as well as development hiring counsel. Then in 2021 after the pandemic and another leadership transition, Ostara was invited back to engage in a similar capacity to advance a refreshed vision for the future.
Ostara took a holistic approach to Bloedel Reserve’s multiple goals and evolving needs. We updated our assessment of their development program and campaign plans, including a community survey, a facilitated retreat, and refreshing the campaign case for support. We also partnered to recruit, select and onboard a new Director of Development, while stepping-in with grant writing, interim Development program leadership and development planning during the vacancy.
Because of Ostara’s long relationship with the Bloedel Reserve community and our deep bench of varied expertise, we seamlessly partnered with the board and staff, leveraging 4 different consultants to advance multiple objectives as the project evolved. As a promising new Director of Development was placed, they were able to inherit a refreshed and in-tact team, annual plan, and grants program. Since then, Ostara has shifted to leadership coaching and grants services, and is committed to supporting The Reserve’s future success in whatever capacity is needed next.
In 2018, The Reserve had recently developed a Master Plan, was midway through a $25M campaign, and without a full development team. Ostara was engaged to provide a development assessment, interim development leadership and campaign management, as well as development hiring counsel. Then in 2021 after the pandemic and another leadership transition, Ostara was invited back to engage in a similar capacity to advance a refreshed vision for the future.
Ostara took a holistic approach to Bloedel Reserve’s multiple goals and evolving needs. We updated our assessment of their development program and campaign plans, including a community survey, a facilitated retreat, and refreshing the campaign case for support. We also partnered to recruit, select and onboard a new Director of Development, while stepping-in with grant writing, interim Development program leadership and development planning during the vacancy.
Because of Ostara’s long relationship with the Bloedel Reserve community and our deep bench of varied expertise, we seamlessly partnered with the board and staff, leveraging 4 different consultants to advance multiple objectives as the project evolved. As a promising new Director of Development was placed, they were able to inherit a refreshed and in-tact team, annual plan, and grants program. Since then, Ostara has shifted to leadership coaching and grants services, and is committed to supporting The Reserve’s future success in whatever capacity is needed next.
Bainbridge Performing Arts
Bainbridge Performing Arts (BPA) promotes appreciation of and participation in the performing arts to build, educate, entertain, and inspire our vibrant, creative community. BPA envisions an inclusive and connected community in which we spark joy and change lives by creating a “brave space” for the pursuit of equitable, creative, and educational experiences.
At BPA, we value imagination, diversity, accessibility, transparency, inclusion, sincerity, respect, equity, equality, joy, responsibility, sustainability, and leadership in the course of our creative exploration of the performing arts. We believe unequivocally that Black lives matter.
By the winter of 2019, Bainbridge Performing Arts had been building up to a capital campaign for nearly four years - but it was Ostara that helped us turn momentum into direction.
When Covid-19 closed our doors just a few months later, our consultant joined us for an enormous pandemic pirouette. Together we strategized, redesigned, and creatively relaunched a campaign that didn’t just raise the money that the organization needed, we raised the spirits of a community desperately seeking hope in a moment of unparalleled uncertainty. Ostara's support lifted us with every turn: an expert for the committee, a partner for leadership staff, and a fount of encouragement for volunteers and donors alike.
In October of 2023, after successfully raising $18 million, we opened The Buxton Center for Bainbridge Performing Arts on time, on budget, and without debt - a feat that could not have been accomplished without Ostara at our side.
At BPA, we value imagination, diversity, accessibility, transparency, inclusion, sincerity, respect, equity, equality, joy, responsibility, sustainability, and leadership in the course of our creative exploration of the performing arts. We believe unequivocally that Black lives matter.
By the winter of 2019, Bainbridge Performing Arts had been building up to a capital campaign for nearly four years - but it was Ostara that helped us turn momentum into direction.
When Covid-19 closed our doors just a few months later, our consultant joined us for an enormous pandemic pirouette. Together we strategized, redesigned, and creatively relaunched a campaign that didn’t just raise the money that the organization needed, we raised the spirits of a community desperately seeking hope in a moment of unparalleled uncertainty. Ostara's support lifted us with every turn: an expert for the committee, a partner for leadership staff, and a fount of encouragement for volunteers and donors alike.
In October of 2023, after successfully raising $18 million, we opened The Buxton Center for Bainbridge Performing Arts on time, on budget, and without debt - a feat that could not have been accomplished without Ostara at our side.
Children's Therapy Center
Children’s Therapy Center is the largest and most comprehensive independent nonprofit pediatric therapy program in Washington State. Since 1979, they have provided essential services for children with special needs, including physical, occupational and speech therapy, early intervention services, and parent education and support. In partnership with parents and caregivers, CTC celebrates where each child is today and work toward who they can become. Last year, CTC served over 3,000 children in South King and Pierce counties.
In 2018, the board reached out to Ostara requesting training on how to lead CTC’s fundraising efforts. After a development leadership transition in 2019, we worked with CTC to assess and potentially restructure their fundraising efforts and donor development strategies. Following Ostara’s assessment and the launch of a strategic planning process, CTC committed to moving their Tacoma based services into a new facility with the vision to create a safe location that allows full access to and expansion of their current programs to the greater Tacoma community.
Ostara currently is working with CTC to develop a customized capital readiness strategy. This strategy will focus on expanding its mission and impact awareness with key community leaders and philanthropists. Simultaneously, we also are working with their team to develop a master prospect list of project donors and the appropriate relationship-building strategy for key constituency groups and community leaders.
In 2018, the board reached out to Ostara requesting training on how to lead CTC’s fundraising efforts. After a development leadership transition in 2019, we worked with CTC to assess and potentially restructure their fundraising efforts and donor development strategies. Following Ostara’s assessment and the launch of a strategic planning process, CTC committed to moving their Tacoma based services into a new facility with the vision to create a safe location that allows full access to and expansion of their current programs to the greater Tacoma community.
Ostara currently is working with CTC to develop a customized capital readiness strategy. This strategy will focus on expanding its mission and impact awareness with key community leaders and philanthropists. Simultaneously, we also are working with their team to develop a master prospect list of project donors and the appropriate relationship-building strategy for key constituency groups and community leaders.
Washington Family Engagement
Washington Family Engagement (WAFE) is a nonprofit dedicated to teaching parents and children of all ages how to become leaders in their schools and communities. When WAFE approached Ostara, the organization was almost entirely volunteer-run, with one full-time paid employee and very little time to dedicate to fundraising. While their community greatly needed more of their impactful services, they did not know where or how to start raising new funds.
In December 2018, Ostara analyzed WAFE’s list of grant prospects and then conducted a thorough search to expand the list and prioritize those that were well-aligned with WAFE’s work. Afterward, we created an action-oriented and realistic grant work plan for the year that was linked to concrete revenue targets.
Over the next year, Ostara managed grants according to the work plan and helped the WAFE team refine their language and strategy along the way. As they sought grants, they worked together to build an organizational budget for the board to approve, design new projects, and approach new funders. Through this process, they identified ways to clearly communicate WAFE’s programs and facilitate effective relationship-building with funders.
This work led to strong fundraising results. Between 2018 and 2019, WAFE more than tripled their grant revenue, exceeded their revenue target, and secured five new funders. With this growth, WAFE was able to begin paying its formerly-volunteer Executive Director for the first time, moved into its first office space, and began to think about programmatic growth goals for the next several years. More importantly, they now have a sustainable fundraising mechanism in place to fuel that growth.
In December 2018, Ostara analyzed WAFE’s list of grant prospects and then conducted a thorough search to expand the list and prioritize those that were well-aligned with WAFE’s work. Afterward, we created an action-oriented and realistic grant work plan for the year that was linked to concrete revenue targets.
Over the next year, Ostara managed grants according to the work plan and helped the WAFE team refine their language and strategy along the way. As they sought grants, they worked together to build an organizational budget for the board to approve, design new projects, and approach new funders. Through this process, they identified ways to clearly communicate WAFE’s programs and facilitate effective relationship-building with funders.
This work led to strong fundraising results. Between 2018 and 2019, WAFE more than tripled their grant revenue, exceeded their revenue target, and secured five new funders. With this growth, WAFE was able to begin paying its formerly-volunteer Executive Director for the first time, moved into its first office space, and began to think about programmatic growth goals for the next several years. More importantly, they now have a sustainable fundraising mechanism in place to fuel that growth.
West Seattle Helpline
Established in 1989, West Seattle Helpline’s (WSH’s) mission is to stop homelessness before it starts by supporting our neighbors who are facing an emergency or unexpected hardship.
In 2016, West Seattle Helpline (WSH) came to Ostara with a need to better define their fundraising strategy through grants. Ostara began work to identify grant prospects, create a tailored grant strategy, and compose compelling narratives that aligned with the organization’s mission, programs, and staff capacity.
From 2016 to 2019, West Seattle Helpline increased their number of secured grants by 500%. With the help of this additional funding, WSH was able to increase their staff from 0.75 to 3.5 full-time employees, double their pool of volunteers, and most importantly, help prevent homelessness for over 1,000 additional people and children each year.
In early 2019, Ostara facilitated conversations between West Seattle Helpline and their long-time partner West Seattle Food Bank; the two organizations came together to actively explore how to better utilize resources and programs to best serve their shared community. Through this process they identified a significant service crossover, a strong community focus, and a desire to increase capacity, leading to the decision to merge the two organizations.
In 2020, Ostara continues to shepherd the success of WSH’s grant program by solidifying a narrative and grant strategy that encompasses both organization’s histories, newly-merged mission, and ongoing programs.
In 2016, West Seattle Helpline (WSH) came to Ostara with a need to better define their fundraising strategy through grants. Ostara began work to identify grant prospects, create a tailored grant strategy, and compose compelling narratives that aligned with the organization’s mission, programs, and staff capacity.
From 2016 to 2019, West Seattle Helpline increased their number of secured grants by 500%. With the help of this additional funding, WSH was able to increase their staff from 0.75 to 3.5 full-time employees, double their pool of volunteers, and most importantly, help prevent homelessness for over 1,000 additional people and children each year.
In early 2019, Ostara facilitated conversations between West Seattle Helpline and their long-time partner West Seattle Food Bank; the two organizations came together to actively explore how to better utilize resources and programs to best serve their shared community. Through this process they identified a significant service crossover, a strong community focus, and a desire to increase capacity, leading to the decision to merge the two organizations.
In 2020, Ostara continues to shepherd the success of WSH’s grant program by solidifying a narrative and grant strategy that encompasses both organization’s histories, newly-merged mission, and ongoing programs.
Youth Eastside Services
Youth Eastside Services has been providing mental health counseling and substance use treatment to youth, from birth to age 22, and their families for over 55 years.
Youth in the US have seen a rapid rise in mental health challenges over the past several decades, and recent world events have only made circumstances more dire and the support that YES provides even more vital. Yet YES’ ability to meet rapidly growing demand has been restricted by a constantly changing financial landscape that includes unpredictable insurance and government Medicare reimbursements. Unsatisfied with these limitations, YES determined that they needed an enduring solution to their financial constraints.
Ostara is partnering with YES to build an endowment strategy that will secure their future. Ostara is currently delivering campaign strategy, campaign management, planned giving counsel and case for support development.
Youth in the US have seen a rapid rise in mental health challenges over the past several decades, and recent world events have only made circumstances more dire and the support that YES provides even more vital. Yet YES’ ability to meet rapidly growing demand has been restricted by a constantly changing financial landscape that includes unpredictable insurance and government Medicare reimbursements. Unsatisfied with these limitations, YES determined that they needed an enduring solution to their financial constraints.
Ostara is partnering with YES to build an endowment strategy that will secure their future. Ostara is currently delivering campaign strategy, campaign management, planned giving counsel and case for support development.
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