Campaign Fundraising in Difficult Economic Times

These are challenging economic times for all non-profit organizations. Recently, our firm’s president, Gene Brandt, prepared the following document for one of our clients that is in the midst of the largest fundraising campaign in its history. Gene’s advice to this client is applicable to other organizations currently in campaigns, or planning future major fundraising efforts. Read the full document >

TW&B Featured Consultant: Lucia Petrie, Senior Counsel

We are proud to announce that Milwaukee native Lucia Petrie recently joined the TW&B team. Lucia is working with clients primarily in the Milwaukee area, conducting feasibility studies and providing counsel for annual and capital campaigns.

A seasoned advancement professional, Lucia previously served as the Milwaukee Art Museum’s Senior Development Director. She was a member of the Museum’s eight-member senior management team, responsible for building the fund raising infrastructure from an annual campaign to a complete development program consisting of grant writing, major gifts work, corporate sponsorship, planned giving and a capital campaign. The culmination of her work at the Museum was the campaign for the Calatrava addition, which raised $100 million. Learn more about Lucia >

New Building for Saint Louis Art Museum

Larry Ter Molen and Clyde Watkins performed an extensive feasibility study leading to the capital campaign recently announced by The Saint Louis Art Museum. The goal of the $125 million expansion plan is to increase overall gallery space and house the museum’s extensive contemporary art collection. (The museum exhibit space will grow by 24,000 square feet.) The campaign, which has raised to date over $120 million toward its goal – including six gifts of $10 million - under the counsel of Clyde Watkins, is the largest capital effort devoted to a cultural institution in the history of St. Louis. Clyde has been working closely with Vice President John Easley and campaign director Sheila Manion. Designed by London-based architect David Chipperfield, construction of the modern addition is scheduled to begin in late 2008 and be completed in 2011. "David Chipperfield's design pays thoughtful and elegant homage to Cass Gilbert (the architect of SLAM’s current edifice) while creating modern spaces to house the Museum's extraordinary holdings," said Art Museum Director Brent R. Benjamin. "The expansion will enable St. Louisans to enjoy even more of our wonderful collection in a building that takes full advantage of the Museum's magnificent setting in Forest Park."