Blog/News
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.
