Bringing Communication and Fundraising Closer Together
A communications team wanted to play an active role in fundraising, and needed the tools, clarity and structure to do it.
- Client
- Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
- Timeframe
- September to December 2025
- Focus
- Fundraising
- Our work
- Weekly coachinga practical case for supportdonor personasfundraising metricsmore than ten ready-to-use toolstemplates
10+ tools and templates the team still uses
A donor event designed and run in-house
Shared language across two teams
A case for support tied to impact reporting
The moment
A foundation in transition, looking for flexible funding
When the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation reached out, they were going through a period of transition. Like many community foundations, their work sits at the intersection of philanthropy and impact, supporting local nonprofits, changemakers and communities through grants and funding.
The opening
Communications saw an opportunity
The team was continuing to build on efforts to strengthen long-term sustainability, with a focus on securing more flexible, long-term funding. Their communications team in particular saw an opportunity: to play a more active role in fundraising, and to develop the right tools, clarity and structure to support that.
From September to December 2025 we worked very closely with CACF through weekly coaching sessions, focused on one goal: bringing communication and fundraising closer together. This was not about theory. It was about making day-to-day work more connected, intentional and aligned.
What we worked on
- 01
A clear and practical case for support
- 02
Small donor events as relationship-building moments
- 03
Donor interviews and donor personas
- 04
Simple fundraising metrics and dashboards
- 05
Donor storytelling and stewardship
How we worked
Tools that fit the way the team already works
Each topic came with tools, templates and real examples, more than ten in total, that the team could immediately use and adapt.
Every session was shaped around CACF's work. We created space to reflect, exchange ideas and build on what was already in place, while making sure each conversation led to something actionable. When working on the case for support, we did not simply provide a template. We built a timeline and action plan that fit their workflow and priorities, and aligned it with their impact reporting so efforts could be streamlined.
What changed
Two teams, one language
By the end of the engagement, the shift was clear. The communications and fundraising teams were working more closely together, with shared language, clearer roles and stronger collaboration.
One of the most tangible outcomes was a small donor event the team designed and implemented using the tools we worked on. It became more than an event: a coordinated effort to engage donors, with clear messaging and follow-up steps in place. The team reported feeling more confident, more organised and better equipped to move forward.
“Janine was lovely, and always a positive presence on our calls even as we were struggling with capacity. Her encouragement, willingness to answer all of our questions, and ability to adapt to our community foundation work was so needed.”
After we step back
What we value most happens later
CACF now has clearer processes, shared tools and a stronger foundation to keep building on. We are looking forward to seeing how their communication and fundraising efforts continue to evolve, and how those efforts translate into deeper relationships and greater impact in the communities they serve.
“You helped us think through how communications can be better aligned with and support our fundraising work. We are also continuing to use the resources and information you shared.”
Joumana Altallal · Charlottesville Area Community Foundation
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