Mission Advancement, an organization that helps nonprofits create strategic, relationship-based, and sustainable sources of funding, has acquired Mission Allies, which provides comprehensive grant writing services and development strategies for nonprofits.
Mission Advancement will grow its staff by 25% due to the acquisition, adding team members well-versed in all areas of content creation, grant fulfillment, prospect research, and strategic consulting.
Mission Advancement specializes in the unique fundraising challenges for independent schools, human service nonprofits, and faith-based organizations. It offers comprehensive consulting services, annual fundraising and capital campaign planning, board training, and a variety of tools and resources to support nonprofit leaders.
Since its inception in 2018, Mission Allies has secured more than $30 million in grant funding for social service and education nonprofits across the United States.
“There is no quick, transactional approach to fundraising for nonprofits that creates sustainable growth,” said Jennifer Lehman, President, and CEO of Mission Advancement. “Each mission is unique and requires the development of deeply intentional donor relationships with individuals and entities. Combining our expertise in people-centered fundraising with Mission Allies’ ability to connect nonprofits with the right foundations provides another avenue to help our clients fund their missions for good.”
Mission Advancement believes that donors give their most impactful gifts when there is a deeply fostered connection, a philosophy shared by Mission Allies and their team’s approach to fundraising through foundation relationships. Jami Russell Ritter, CEO of Mission Allies, said they often see nonprofits approaching grant writing as a blind submission or a ‘spray and pray’ approach, which in the long run is not effective.
“Our relationship-centered, stewardship-focused philosophy to assisting nonprofits with their fundraising goals is perfectly aligned with Mission Advancement’s approach,” Ritter said. “Together, we can help nonprofits fund their missions through both individual and foundation partners so they can make lasting, meaningful impact in the communities they serve.”
Mission Advancement’s expanded team will allow for more comprehensive service models that help clients achieve even bigger goals, such as the results seen by North Texas Food Bank (NTFB). In partnership with Mission Advancement, NTFB launched Nourish North Texas in 2021, a $500 million campaign that significantly expands the Food Bank’s ability to provide hungry neighbors with more Food for Today, while providing Hope for Tomorrow by addressing the root causes of food insecurity.
“Achieving our goal of $500 million in food and funds over three years requires us to strategically focus on building relationships with the key stakeholders and supporters who can make this happen,” said Erica Yaeger, Chief External Affairs Officer. “The Mission Advancement team is bringing a renewed spirit, energy, and strategy to help us grow our people-centered fundraising efforts and continue the fight against hunger in North Texas. Expanding their services to the grant-writing and foundation relationship space will bring more growth opportunities for Mission Advancement clients in our region and beyond.”
