Rape Advocacy, Counseling & Education Services (RACES)

Nonprofit Excellence helps nonprofit rise above Illinois’ budget situation

RACES board and staff members hand-signed all 700 fundraising letters sent out in February. The first four days of responses netted almost $15,000.

Mary Evans took the helm of her new job as Executive Director for Rape Advocacy, Counseling & Education Services, or RACES, about the same time that Illinois’ 2015-2016 budget should have gone into effect.

She never thought that 10 months later, she’d be at the helm of an organization still due $194,000 from the state with no payments – or budget agreement – in sight.

In her first week on the job though, Mary made an important investment that is paying big dividends now, and one that is helping the small nonprofit weather the financial storm: she signed up for do good’s Nonprofit Excellence Series.

“do good‘s trainings are seriously high-impact game-changers. Our doors would not still be open if I had not signed up when I did. They’ve literally transformed our organization and saved us from closing in the face of the state budget impasse.”

Mary knew RACES’ budget was too dependent on state funding and that she needed to learn how to change that. She never dreamed the need would be as urgent as it was as month after month went by without contractually-due funds coming from the state.

“do good’s classes taught us immediate ways to change operations and raise more money: incremental things that packed a huge punch. We felt the positive impacts instantly and it helped to buffer the storm we found ourselves in. And it gave us optimism during dark times.”

Things began to markedly change when Mary and her team used advice from the Creating Special Events class to turn a lagging $900 annual event into a $7,000 one with just three weeks to plan. The Fundraising Letters class helped bring in $15,000 in under a week.

RACES has invested those new funds to continue building their future.

Because of the classes, RACES raised close to $50,000 in just a few months.

“We have new plans laid, a thriving mailing list, an e-newsletter, and a revitalized staff and board. Most importantly, we have hope for our future and new determination to serve those impacted by sexual assault.”

In 2016, do good is offering 58 classes in 4 Illinois cities though the Nonprofit Excellence Series. We have 21 total topics this year, including 8 new classes. Each session is 2 hours and only $30. Transform your organization, too, by signing up for one class or the entire series today!