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Having acquired a new building financed with tax-exempt bonds, the Legal Aid & Defender Association, Inc., the largest provider of free legal services to the indigent in Michigan and one of the largest in the United States, needed funds for furniture, fixtures and equipment as well as endowment. Having little experience with major fundraising campaigns, and learning that Smith Beers Yunker & Company had helped other legal aid organizations successfully raise funds, they selected the firm to prepare and direct its Legal Legacy Campaign.
According to LAD President and CEO Deierdre Weir, Smith Beers Yunker helped her and the LAD board members understand the fundraising process and led them through what would otherwise have been an “intimidating” experience. “They jumped right in and got to know our community and the key players in it. They not only brought back insightful and useful information from prospective donors, but also helped us work through some internal challenges that were not directly related to the fund drive. Their knowledge and experience with other governing boards was quite valuable.”
Having provided both pre-campaign planning and campaign counsel, Smith Beers Yunker worked with LAD over several years. Commenting further on the professional relationship with the firm’s CEO, Deierdre noted Jim Yunker’s willingness to travel and be there whenever he was needed. “It was a long process and he worked very hard and hung in there with us, providing encouragement as well as reality checks as needed,” she said. “The guidance we received was very thorough and I’m sure our campaign would not have succeeded without it.”
When asked if she would recommend Smith Beers Yunker & Company to other nonprofits, Deierdre responded, “Yes, without question. I can say nothing negative or even neutral about Smith Beers Yunker. Jim Yunker is wonderful to work with. He took a lot of the pain out of the process and actually made it fun.” |