Jan/Feb 2007

Partner Profile: Cool Strategies

With a purpose to help mission-minded organizations achieve their calling through improved strategic planning and decision making, Cool Strategies™ exist to come alongside its clients with innovative approaches and systems tailored to the needs of nonprofit organizations. In the words of Curt Swindoll, Cool Strategies' CEO, "Ultimately, we want to serve as a virtual extension to our clients' management teams. We really aren't interested in filling a narrow role, which means we aren't the right choice for some organizations. But for those who do choose us, our relationship covers a wide range of leadership challenges."

This is borne out through its Web site, where Cool Strategies offers a full page of comprehensive presentations and resources that address issues ranging from board issues, to donor development and execution strategies, to strategic planning models. These tools emanate from Cool Strategies' experience in actually leading both nonprofit and for profit companies.

While Cool Strategies' engagements often begin by focusing on the donor development process (its seven-point fundraising model — available on its Web site — is amazingly clarifying), its intent is to not simply help companies grow or make more money. "Our clients must have a drive to bring spiritual, physical, mental, and/or emotional health and renewal to society," states Buddy Williams, Cool's President.

Cool Strategies and Convio enjoy a number of common clients, including Stand to Reason (STR). Guiding STR through its implementation and use of Convio increased online donations by 65 percent in the first six months. Cool Strategies also helped STR initiate a number one iTunes podcast, a prominent blog, an online store, and an effective email welcome series for new, online registrants.

The net result? Last month, STR's revenue grew by 30 percent over December 2005. With these and other successes, STR paid the three-year projected cost of Convio in the first three months alone through online donations and product sales.

If your organization is looking for a consultative process that will elevate the knowledge and competence of your organization and leadership team, plus offer a deep understanding of how to best leverage Convio applications, Cool Strategies has something to offer. From beginning to end, its engagements are educational and developmental for everyone involved.

The quest for competent consultative support isn't impossible. It's Cool. Give them a call.

To learn more about Cool Strategies, visit http://www.coolstrategies.com/, or contact Curt Swindoll at 714-990-5701 x103.

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