Banisters Leadership Academy

Case Study: Banisters Leadership Academy

Background

Banister Leadership Academy (BLA), a growing nonprofit, is dedicated to empowering youth through leadership and community-focused programs. Operating with a lean staff primarily focused on program delivery, the organization faced challenges in expanding its fundraising capabilities without increasing overhead.

The Challenge

As BLA sought to grow its annual giving efforts, the organization needed a professional partner to coordinate and execute a strategic fundraising plan. With most staff dedicated to program-related responsibilities, finding ways to develop internal fundraising capacity while maintaining operational efficiency was critical.

The SNS Solution

Strawhecker Nonprofit Services (SNS) provided a tailored approach to address BLA’s needs. Through strategic planning sessions, SNS not only organized and executed annual giving campaigns but also collaborated with the team on grant writing and capacity building. A key moment was facilitating a strategic planning session that helped new board members fully understand BLA’s mission and programs, fostering alignment and engagement.

The Outcome

Over the course of more than three years, SNS has become a trusted partner for BLA. The relationship has enabled the organization to grow steadily year after year, with fundraising efforts becoming more organized and effective. By leveraging SNS’s expertise and support, BLA has successfully expanded its impact without overburdening its staff.

The Impact

The partnership with SNS has provided BLA with the professional fundraising support it needed to thrive. The ongoing collaboration has brought relief to the organization’s leadership, allowing them to focus on their mission while ensuring sustainable growth through well-executed annual giving initiatives.