Increasing Your EDO’s Funding To Remain Competitive
Increasing Your EDO’s Funding To Remain Competitive
In this session, Lakeshore Advantage VP of Engagement Beth Blanton and Convergent Project Director Kevin Donovan offers easy-to-implement best practices to help development organizations of all sizes achieve success. These approaches help optimize the investor mix, validate the organization’s asking rights, refine the strategic plan, and cultivate prospective investors as a strong foundation for successful requests for support.
Using a best practice case study to structure the narrative, Beth and Kevin will share background on their recent successful fundraising campaign and the critical success factors behind it. Attendees will leave with clear ideas for assessing their funding mix, aligning campaigns with their mission, and building relationships that deliver results. Specifically, attendees will understand:
● Regional Branding. The importance of highlighting the unique assets and offerings of your region, whether related to the business environment, quality of life, institutional strength, or other compelling features.
● Feasibility Studies. The importance of feasibility studies to evaluate fundraising opportunities and organizational "asking rights" while giving potential investors a sense of ownership in the plan.
● Benchmarking. The ways in which benchmarking and supporting research can help an organization identify an optimal combination of private and public sector investors. This research provides guidance toward the proper balance of support across all prominent business sectors, while highlighting the private sector leadership role as a best practice for successful plan implementation.
● Collaborative Approach. The importance of long-term positive, constructive relationships among chambers and EDOs across the Great Lakes region based on the mutual benefits of broad economic growth and success region-wide.
● ROI Analysis. The post-Feasibility Study analysis, which provides a quantifiable, customized understanding for prospects of how their investment will deliver value back to them and their organization.
Beth Blanton Vice President of Engagement Lakeshore Advantage
Beth serves as Vice President of Engagement at Lakeshore Advantage, where she has led and executed the organization’s revenue growth strategy since 2017. She is a proven leader in revenue growth, investor relations, and organizational development with more than twenty years of experience driving impact through authentic connections and strategic partnerships.
Since those years, the organization’s operating budget has nearly quadrupled and the investor retention rate has remained at 95% or higher, a major accomplishment as the organization has navigated especially uncertain economic times since 2020. In 2025, she successfully led a $2.3 million capacity-building funding campaign significantly growing the organization’s reach, sustained support and long-term impact.
Beth spent her early years in Wheaton, IL and moved to West Michigan where she received her Bachelor of Arts in business and communications from Hope College. She resides in Zeeland, Michigan with her proudest accomplishment –her family.
Kevin Donovan Capital Campaign Project Director Convergent Nonprofit Solutions
Kevin is a senior fundraising consultant and former sports marketing professional. Within the last decade, he has managed several successful capital campaigns for economic development organizations and chambers of commerce as well as for traditional nonprofits. Most recently, he managed the successful Powering Our Future economic development campaign for Lakeshore Advantage. His work leading campaigns and feasibility studies for traditional nonprofits included management of Georgia’s Cherokee County History Center’s successful campaign to build a new $4 million facility. He has also developed strategic plans for Georgia City Solutions (the nonprofit arm of the Georgia Municipal Association) and the Project Chimps sanctuary in Blue Ridge, Georgia.
A master storyteller and author of two novels, Kevin has harnessed his passion for writing by creating compelling narratives on behalf of communities and non-profits to drive funding, engagement, and support for their missions.
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Testimonials
Andrew Keenan
“The fact that Convergent could make the ask was huge. Working with our director and joining solicitations made me a better fundraiser – that was the right formula for us. Moving forward I feel much more confident in making asks and telling our story, and that is going to make us more sustainable in the long run.”
Andrew Keenan, Executive Director Callanwolde Fine Arts Center | Atlanta, GA
Lisa Zaken
“In the span of six short months, our Board went from being nervous about the initial campaign investment to being ecstatic with the attainment of our goal, and our subsequent stretch goal! Convergent can do it like no other. Their system is rigorous and extremely effective. We have nothing but great things to say about this organization!”
Lisa Zaken, President & CEO Leadership Gwinnett | Duluth, GA
Dion Davis
“The strategy and support offered by Convergent helped our Board expand its vision for the Foundation, which in turn helped to refocus and redefine our organization's impact in our community. The methodology behind their capital campaign process not only helps to raise more money in the immediate, but it also builds best practices for long-term investor relations and lays groundwork for the success of future funding initiatives.”
Dion Davis, Former Executive Director Jekyll Island Foundation | Jekyll Island, GA
Robin Mauck
“Working with Convergent has been a pleasure all the way around. Their approach is customized to your organization and their expertise is unmatched in the field. The Convergent team immersed themselves in our process, culture, and goals to provide exceptional value during our campaign. They truly walk alongside you every step of the way!”
Robin Mauck, Executive Director Obria Medical Clinics Gwinnett | Lawrenceville, GA
Aimee Hall
“I loved working with Convergent. I never could have done what Convergent did. If you want to run a successful campaign, you need to bring in that expertise. Thanks to their help, our capital campaign really took us to the next level within our community.”
Aimee Hall, Executive Director Safe Homes Domestic Violence Center | Augusta, GA
Phillip Aldridge
“I wanted to thank everyone from the Convergent team who assisted in our campaign. Of the varying ways the campaign’s success may be measured, I count it a blessing that we achieved what we did. Not just the funds committed but the contacts made, the level of exposure reached, and ultimately, what the funds and exposure mean in terms of how many more we now serve as a result. My thanks is in recognition and appreciation for Convergent serving as our fundraising counsel and for the patience and professionalism demonstrated throughout the campaign. You were a godsend for Valley Healthcare!”
Phillip Aldridge, Board Chair Valley Healthcare System | Colombus, GA
Jeff Taylor
“Early in our campaign feasibility study it became apparent that we lacked the Asking Rights necessary to conduct a capital campaign. As a result, Convergent’s knowledgeable consultants prepared an extensive plan of action that is a road map for growing our awareness and philanthropy. A successful capital campaign will be possible in the near future. Their entrepreneurial approach will definitely get you where you want to go.”
Jeff Taylor, CEO MedCura Health, formerly Oakhurst Medical Center | Stone Mountain, GA
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