National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health

A 61,000% Return-On-Investment

Shandra Summerville is passionate about children’s mental health. So when she was asked to coordinate the large national conference for the organization she’s a board member for, she was thrilled but also knew she had her work cut out for her.

Despite a major organizational restructuring underway, Shandra knew she wanted to take things to the next level with the event to raise awareness and more funds to support the Federation’s important work.

Shandra’s first move was to sign up for a do good Nonprofit Excellence Training on Special Events at Parkland Business Training in Champaign, Illinois. The two-hour session, she said, “gave her concrete ideas for action”, but also highlighted the need for a “deeper dive into a couple areas” to be sure she was on the right path for her event planning journey.

And so Shandra shelled out $85 for a one-hour do good consultation. In the end, that $85 turned into a whopping $52,000 return to the Federation.

In their work session, do good‘s Laura Huth reviewed the event goals with Shandra, which were to move event sponsorships from $5,000 to $20,000 and to increase exhibitors (at $350 per table) from 5 to 15.

Shandra listened intently as Laura reviewed materials and made suggestions for narrowing focus and honing communications to compelling essentials. In the end, a previously nine-page document shrunk to a more digestible three. While still containing the most valuable and needed information, the sponsor packet “became more approachable, compelling, and readable” Shandra says. “What Laura taught me that was key was to look at this communication tool from the reader’s point of view. What do they want and need to know?”

In the end, the reformatted packet didn’t help the Federation raise $20,000. It actually helped them raise $50,000 in sponsorships – a 10-fold increase from the prior year.

The reformulated communications also helped the Federation soar past their exhibitor goal of 15 to 25 – 66% more than projected and raising and additional $3,500 more than planned.

“I spent $85 and do good helped us turn that into $52,000 of unexpected income,” Shandra reports of her unbelievable 61,000% return on investment. “To say they met expectations would be a gross understatement. This was perhaps the most valuable hour I’ve ever spent for my organization!”

“I highly recommend do good, I love their trainings, and their consultants are caring, knowledgeable folks. The Federation is richer for our relationship with do good – literally and figuratively.”
– Shandra Summerville, National Federation of Families for Children’s Mental Health