Greats Hearts Academies is the nation’s largest, and perhaps also the fastest-growing, bricks-and-mortar operator of classical charter schools. A significant amount of Great Hearts’ success has been powered by the strategic partnerships it has formed with foundations.
American Philanthropic helped Great Hearts initiate those relationships. Five years ago, as it began to consider expanding its footprint both within and outside the state of Arizona, Great Hearts asked American Philanthropic to identify potential foundation partners who might be interested in funding its growth nationwide as well as in several key geographic areas. Using our proprietary database, institutional knowledge, and other tools, we responded by providing in-depth research on and profiles of more than 100 foundations whose philanthropic priorities were aligned with Great Hearts’ mission. We then worked with Great Hearts to create approach strategies for each foundation prospect.
Great Hearts ran with this research. Thanks in part to the new partnerships with foundations it has built, today Great Hearts has expanded its network to include 26 schools in two states—with much more growth to come. Transformative foundation grants have also enabled Great Hearts to start new programs for its teachers and students. We are now working with Great Hearts to find and approach new foundation partners for the Great Hearts Institute, which will serve as an intellectual hub for the classical-education movement.
American Philanthropic is registered as fundraising counsel or as a fundraising consultancy in all states that require such registration. This means that we are not “fundraisers”: we do not ask people for money on our clients’ behalf, make personal introductions, make phone calls, or otherwise have direct personal contact with your donors or donor prospects. We tee you up to do those things, and to do them more effectively, by advising you, coaching you, and providing the services outlined in this proposal. Our goal is to help you build your development program so that it becomes stronger and more sustainable, and to put you in position to build your own strong, personal relationships with funders.