New Year, New Website, New Capabilities

2020 is looking to be our most exciting year yet here at Gabriel Group! Between promising partnerships and expanded service offerings, we are continuing to band together as a company to make our clients’ messages our mission. And what does that mean exactly?

With the New Year comes multiple announcements we need to cover. So let’s go ahead and dive right in …

First off, we are extremely happy to debut a brand new website to our partners and friends alike – now live at www.gabrielgroup.com! Our goal with this new layout is to help the specific markets we work with more easily navigate our services and to help them in whatever way we can to achieve their goals.

On these dedicated pages, you will find everything from case studies to conference appearances and outlines of our expertise to testimonials from our biggest fans. And as usual, you will be able to find our latest news, thought leadership pieces and pertinent articles right here on our blog. We hope you’ll find this change beneficial to you and your organization – we can’t wait to see what you think!

Now on to our second line of business … we at Gabriel Group are very proud to announce that we are now a part of the OSG family. Along with our new sister company Diamond Communication Solutions, we are currently building a strategic partnership in order to offer a holistic direct response experience for our clients moving forward. We will preface this announcement by saying our day-to-day operations will remain business as usual, but we couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds now that our capabilities have increased exponentially and our capacity is booming as we speak (we’ve secured a neighboring building close by and are getting ready to staff a brand new production floor!).

We know it’s quite a significant way to ring in a new year, but what’s not to love? These amazing, new opportunities combined with the reliable, successful way we’ve done business for years leaves us nowhere to go but up, up and away. We hope you’ll join us on our journey!

It’s here!

Well, two things, technically …

Your Gabriel Group Fall Newsletter and year-end are here and in full swing!

Our latest edition covers plenty of topics pivotal to ending 2019 with a bang. Don’t miss out!

You’ll find a feature article on planned giving best practices, a stewardship piece addressed to you for a change, as well as registration information for our last webinar of the year.

We know what year-end means for you and your nonprofit this year and every year. Call Anna at 314.743.5796 or email anna.mcnulty@gabrielgroup.com today whether you need help planning for 2020, auditing your latest annual efforts or just need a quick consult on your fundraising and/or membership goals.

Ryan Hartman Joins Gabriel Group Team as Senior Director of Client Strategy & Business Development

Gabriel Group is happy to announce Ryan Hartman as its Senior Director of Client Strategy & Business Development.

Ryan comes to Gabriel Group after owning his own business, Marketology, for six years. As a direct response marketing consultant, he coordinated both online and offline marketing programs from inception to launch for his many clients across the country. He also authored direct marketing and production strategies in multiple verticals while partnering and advising on best practices for integrating multiple marketing channels. Prior to launching his own firm, Ryan garnered twelve years of direct marketing experience at various companies where he held titles of Senior Account Executive, Director of Business Development and Vice President of Sales. Throughout his career, Ryan has specialized in generating and nurturing leads in competitive markets, growing revenue and increasing profitability.

“Ryan is going to make an outstanding addition to the Gabriel Group team,” CEO Dave Hawkins states.

“His impressive tenure at so many organizations – including his own – has allowed him to have an exceptionally well-rounded experience in the sales and marketing world. Ryan’s impressive background and deep knowledge of the direct marketing industry is going to benefit us as a company and everyone around him from day one. We can’t wait to see what he can do.”

Ryan holds both an MBA and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Drake University where he was a member of men’s golf team. When he isn’t in the office, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, going to the beach, cooking, gardening and traveling.

It’s a long story, but …

… don’t worry – we’ll try and summarize it for you.

The short version? The Gabriel Group Summer Newsletter is officially available and ready for your viewing pleasure! Check it out here.

In this edition of The Messenger, we’re focusing on the power of storytelling – something you know all about in the world of membership and fundraising.
So make sure and take a look at the various topics we tackled this time around, including a case study on raising more money while spending less marketing dollars, telling the right story to get your members to become mission-driven advocates and more.

Need help telling your tales to your members and/or donors? Reach out to Anna at 314.743.5796 or anna.mcnulty@gabrielgroup.com today to get the creative juices flowing and the revenue pouring in.

Teamwork makes the …

… world a better place. (And yes – the “dream work,” too.)

In this edition of Gabriel Group’s quarterly newsletter, The Messenger, we’re focusing on the idea that when passionate people come together in the world of fundraising and membership, amazing things happen every day.

So go ahead and sneak a peek here.

You’ll find an incredible client story detailing one of our most successful relationships of all time, a feature highlighting our 2019 Pay-It-Forward partner, additional information about our new internal restructuring initiative and more.

We’re so proud to be a part of nonprofit teams around the country in the broader fight to change lives for the better. And, of course, thank you for being a part of ours!

The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home Chosen as Gabriel Group’s Pay-It-Forward Organization of 2019

Gabriel Group is proud to announce The Sparrow’s Nest Maternity Home as its 2019 Pay-It-Forward recipient.

The mission of The Sparrow’s Nest is to empower young moms and their children to realize their full potential. As a nonprofit, The Sparrow’s Nest helps teen mothers who experience homelessness or abusive situations by providing them with shelter, resources and supplies. The program is open to any girl or woman 20 years of age or under who is currently expecting and/or parenting a child under the age of five. The Sparrow’s Nest supports those living at the maternity home during their entire pregnancy and up to a year after their baby is born.

Gabriel Group is now in its seventh year of selecting a local St. Louis-area charity to support in order to give back to its community and make a lasting impact on small organizations close to home. Each year, associates participate in a variety of fundraising activities such as potlucks, “bring your dog to work” weeks and numerous pay-to-play competitions. In January of the following year, Gabriel Group as a company presents a check to our partner organization in honor of our clients in lieu of a traditional Christmas gift.

Gabriel Group’s Pay-It-Forward initiative has been in place for the past 12 years. Throughout that time, the company has raised over $135,000 while partnering with nonprofits near and far in order to make a difference. Initiative examples include funding a new classroom at an early childhood education center in Zambia; supporting relief efforts following the tornado in Joplin; helping children suffering from abuse or neglect; partnering with an organization close to associates’ hearts after losing one of our own to ovarian cancer; fighting homelessness and hunger in the St. Louis area; supporting local veterans; and assisting schoolchildren to ensure they have the basic tools needed for learning.

As associate generosity has continued to increase year over year, Gabriel Group has committed to a 2019 Pay-It-Forward goal of $15,000. The year has already started off strong with dogs coming to visit the office for $10 each in January and a huge pool tournament turnout in February! Be sure to stay updated on all of Gabriel Group’s fundraising efforts on Facebook as we continue to break records and make a difference for The Sparrow’s Nest throughout the year!

Gabriel Group Debuts Restructured Nonprofit Business Division

Gabriel Group is proud to announce a new, restructured nonprofit business division within the company.

The group will be led by Executive Vice President Alicia Lifrak, CFRE who has recently joined Gabriel Group from Washington University in St. Louis where she served as the Senior Director, Regional Eliot Society Programs and Leadership Annual Giving (2016-2018) and CEO of the Lewis & Clark Council, Boy Scouts of America (2009-2016). Lifrak will now oversee a group of dedicated account directors and account managers who will serve the company’s nonprofit clients in national/international/healthcare, food bank/religious/social services and Greek/education markets.

This change will combine Gabriel Group’s full range of nonprofit services by moving all fundraising, membership, creative services and business development resources under one umbrella. The move will better serve the company’s vast array of nonprofit clients throughout the U.S. by offering a true full-service experience to its current and future partners.

Lifrak stated, “The decision to restructure and change our focus on how we approach the nonprofit vertical is an extremely exciting one. Not only will this change benefit our philanthropic partners, but it will also ensure that our internal structure and teams will continue to draw exceptional talent. Happy clients and happy associates is a recipe for success – not to mention a great place to work.”

With Gabriel Group acquiring the membership marketing agency Membership Consultants in June of 2018, this restructuring will complete its integration into the nonprofit division. While membership organization clients fall within the museum, zoo/aquarium and botanical garden markets, the knowledge and background Membership Consultants brings to the table will now be combined with the remaining nonprofit services Gabriel Group provides to emphasize a well-rounded experience with a team of subject matter experts.

Additionally, Renee Durnin, CFRE has accepted the role of Director of Market Insight and Strategy. This newly created position will better serve and represent the data-driven strategies that Gabriel Group provides through nonprofit business analytics in order to drive the best possible results for its clients.

“In my short time at Gabriel Group, the aspect I find myself the most excited about is the wealth of outstanding talent in this company. With a little finesse and dedication to small, positive changes, I believe the sky is the limit for us,” Lifrak added.

Gabriel Group is honored to serve its philanthropic partners and looks forward to transitioning into this new structure in order to promote a bright future for all clients moving forward.

Over $19,000 Raised in 2018 as Associates Pay-It-Forward on Behalf of Clients

Pictured above: Amy Lewandowski of Gabriel Group, Hannah Levin, VISTA Staff Member, and Jessica Murphy, Free Store Manager of KidSmart, and Dave Hawkins and Erin Koury of Gabriel Group

Gabriel Group is exceptionally proud to announce that its 2018 annual Pay-It-Forward efforts generated a record-shattering $19,041 contribution to its partner organization of the year, KidSmart. Wrapping up the company’s eleventh consecutive year of its charitable giving initiative in honor of its clients, 2018’s total donation beat the previous year’s by over $3,000.

KidSmart’s mission is to empower children in need to succeed in school by equipping every child in Missouri with essential tools for learning. Through their work, KidSmart is able to provide kids with 10,000 school supplies every single week throughout the school year and distribute $55 million worth of learning tools on an annual basis. Gabriel Group was honored to champion its cause throughout the calendar year by hosting internal fundraising events for its associates. Examples included the always popular “bring your dog to work weeks,” competitive yard game tournaments and potlucks.

In addition to collecting funds throughout the year, associates also took advantage of numerous volunteer opportunities. While KidSmart was in a state of transition while they moved warehouse locations, Gabriel Group volunteers donated their time to sort inventory over multiple days throughout the year. Associates also volunteered to set up for KidSmart’s annual “Back to School with Joe Buck Celebrity Event” in the summer, and even got the chance to deliver supplies to schools in the St. Louis area. 2018 was the best year on record for Gabriel Group in regards to company-paid volunteer hours – a big point of pride for everyone in the company.

Gabriel Group is looking forward to continuing to make an impact within the St. Louis community as it moves into 2019 and beyond. If 2018 was any indication, the future is most definitely bright when it comes to the company’s giving potential! Gabriel Group’s next Pay-It-Forward organization will be revealed shortly … make sure to keep your eyes peeled for the upcoming announcement!

DO believe everything you read

Well, at least in your Gabriel Group winter newsletter …

We’re back in action with our latest edition of The Messenger – chock-full of innovative fundraising solutions, successful case studies and exciting internal news to share (wait until you see who just joined our team!).

Ready to check it out?

Just follow the link here.

Questions? Comments? Interest? Give Anna a call at 314.743.5796 or email anna.mcnulty@gabrielgroup.com to get a conversation started today about how we can help your nonprofit achieve amazing fundraising results while you focus on making the world a better place.

Postal Rates to Change on January 27th

The United States Postal Service is enacting rate changes that have been approved by the Postal Regulatory Commission and will take effect on January 27, 2019.

A summary of eligible changes is outlined below.

  • First class stamps will increase in price from $0.50 to $0.55 while meter prices will increase from $0.47 to $0.50.
  • Commercial and nonprofit marketing mail will also increase by 2.5% overall, with some categories increasing and others decreasing.

For your convenience, our Gabriel Group Postal Rate Chart is available to you for download. Click here to view and save the PDF.