Campaign & Fundraising * Executive Search
Strategic Planning * Training & Facilitation

Campaign Management & Fundraising
"I have been very impressed with the quality of your services to date and look forward to continuing to work with you to make our capital campaign a great success."
-Henry P. Schubert, Largo Asst. City Manager
regarding Largo Library Capital Campaign

"Ms. Brown is not only an accomplished professional in all areas of fundraising and non-profit management. She is also a gifted teacher, able to share her knowledge and skills as she trains others."
-Charles Gardner, Executive Director
Agape Flights

"…Designs in Development capably demonstrated to Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute the value and benefits of contracting with a professional fund-raising management consulting firm. Our current development success and ongoing progress is a direct testimony to the value of the professional services provided to us by Designs in Development. We would recommend Designs in Development to any organization planning or implementing a large capital campaign without reservation."
-Duane E. De Freese, Ph.D.
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

"…As our success will be measured by completion of this campaign, Ms. Brown's success can already be measured by her approach to the feasibility study itself. Her knowledge and experience coupled with her professionalism and genuine concern for the organization made the entire process very worthwhile."
-Kimberly A. Walter, former Vice President
Goodwill Industries of Colorado Springs

"...Her recommendations regarding board structure, program development and strategies, even to the type of fund raising software we needed were invaluable...The Art League of Bonita Springs is indebted to the help given to us by such an energetic, outstanding individual."
-Marie Tranovich, Past President
Art League of Bonita Springs

"...Because of the valuable information and support you have provided the Southern Partners Fund was able to be established much faster than we had projected and is experiencing tremendous growth..."
-Hubert Sapp, Board of Directors
Bert and Mary Meyer Foundation

"...Overall, Nancy has made an outstanding contribution to the Sarasota ballet in recommending the direction for the company to achieve its goals and in assisting with the procurement of qualified staff to execute the plan..."
-Joel Freedman, former President of the Board
Sarasota Ballet of Florida

"...Nancy is one of the most competent and capable fund-raising consultants in the Tampa Bay community. She is knowledgeable about the field and is able to communicate in an efficient and personable way..."
-Peggy Slater, former Executive Director
Sun Coast Hospital Foundation, Inc.

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Executive Search
"Finally, my thanks to Nancy Brown, her staff and the entire committee. You all did a fantastic job. I'm confident we've chosen an individual who can lead our agency to new levels…"
-Chip Danneker, Board President,
Seniors First, Inc.

"A full-time Executive Director of Development has been hired based on Nancy Brown's research and recommendations who has already demonstrated exceptional progress in the first 90 days of employment."
-Duane E. De Freese, Ph.D.
Vice President of Florida Research
Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Institute

"As a result of the work done by Designs in Development, Special Olympics Florida hired a senior development officer recommended by Ms. Brown. We are delighted to report that the fit is perfect and the individual is performing better than expected."
- Monty Castevens, President
Special Olympics Florida

"…Designs in Development and its President, Nancy Brown, come highly recommended. I would be glad to endorse the firm on its commitment to quality work, timeliness, and overall professionalism."
- Cathy J. Beveridge, former Board President
The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc.

"…We selected one of the candidates presented by Ms. Brown and we are delighted with our choice. Ms. Brown's expertise and guidance during this process was priceless…I would gladly endorse Ms. Brown and Designs in Development on behalf of DACCO."
-Major Gary G. Terry, former Board President
DACCO

"Though I hope that our new Executive Director will be with us for a very, very long time, if we ever are in a position to again go through the selection process, Designs in Development would certainly be our first choice."
-Holly A. O'Brien, former Board President
Humane Society of Tampa Bay

"Our pool of candidates were carefully selected and screened. Our most difficult task was deciding which one to choose because we had an excellent list of finalists."
-Terry A. Boehm, President
Pinellas County Education Foundation

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Strategic Planning
"I found Nancy to be very valuable in this process. Her extensive professional experience, especially in the fundraising areas, provided instant credibility to the process. I have no hesitation in recommending her to other organizations…"
-Ivan Canuteson, Chief Executive Officer
Manasota Association for Retarded Citizens

"Ms. Brown's responsive and client friendly attitude was an asset. Her organization skills, along with her work ethic were instrumental to the completion of a high quality project within the required timeframe. As a result of my experience working with Ms. Brown and her company, I would not hesitate to consider Designs in Development for future projects."
-Maria E. Crosby, Vice President
Pasco School Readiness Coalition

"We realized that we needed outside expertise, and Ms. Brown brought that expertise to our table…She helped us to focus and formulate a strategic plan with which we could live comfortably. When the time comes that we have similar work to do, we would seriously consider having Ms. Brown be our facilitator and guide again."
-Patsy W. Buker, Executive Director
Help A Child, Inc.

"I am pleased to report that the Strategic Plan put together by Designs in Development has served to unify and steer the Board of Directors in a positive and deliberate manner. The Board of Directors now has a clear vision of the organization's future as well as a concise timetable from which to work. Designs in Development is spoken of highly amongst our Board Members, and will be highly recommended to others."
-Karen Sommer, Board President
S.P.C.A. of Polk County Florida, Inc

"…It seems like only yesterday that we stood in the midst of this development and dreamed of its completion, and now it is complete. Wow, you have truly been a big part of this and I appreciate your dedication and the effort you put into it to help make it a reality…I look forward to working with you again sometime in the future."
-Senator Victor Crist, Board President
University Area Community Development Corp.

"Nancy Brown assisted the St. Petersburg Free Clinic in strategic planning for our Board…she did an outstanding job and has helped us plan a course of action that will serve us well for the present and the future."
-Jane Egbert, Executive Director
St. Petersburg Free Clinic

"In our strategic planning, Nancy's work with the Board of Directors laid the groundwork for our five-year plan, working through the various aspects of our desired outcomes to achieve realistic action plans that will advance the mission of the organization."
-Vicki L. Santa, Station Manager
WMNF Community Radio 88.5 FM

"...Nancy was extremely sensitive to the needs of individual Task Force members, and she worked diligently to recognize the 'value' of each member's opinion..."
-Elizabeth Rugg, Chair
Suncoast Adult Cystic Fibrosis Task Force, Inc.
Executive Director, Suncoast Health Council, Inc.

"...Ms. Brown's solid background in not-for-profit organizations became quickly apparent. She fully understood the constraints under which we operate and was able to assist the Board in working through a series of critical issues...Ms. Brown has excellent follow up and is thorough with meticulous attention to details..."
-Leo Matti, former Executive Director
Asthma & Allergy Foundation of America Florida Chapter, Inc.

"...Board members commented on the thoroughness and enthusiasm of [Nancy's] work and were very pleased with the results. Since these activities, giving has increased and the Board has a better understanding of what needs to be done."
-Todd Parrish, CFRE, former Executive Director
East Pasco Medical Center Foundation

"...[Nancy] has developed a professional rapport with our various committees and has worked with them to create their goals and action steps toward achieving the Board's financial objectives...Her knowledge of the not-for-profit environment, regulations affecting their operations and their funding has been a real asset to our organization..."
-Kimberly Walter, CFRE, Special Assistant to the President
The Hospice Foundation of the Florida Suncoast

"...Nancy provides outstanding consultation services. In my twenty years of nonprofit work she is the most thorough and reliable consultant that I have ever worked with. She is exceptionally knowledgeable in the entire fields of resource development along with other areas of nonprofit management..."
-Julie Swanson, CFRE, former Director of Development
Pinellas Center for the Visually Impaired

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On Nancy L. Brown, President, doing Training & Facilitation
"This is a long overdue thanks for your stellar presentation to our Jazz Touring Network Presenters…they are still talking about it! You shared so much valuable information with them that I know they will put it to good use for years to come."
-Martha I Dodson, Program Officer
Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation

"…Based on feedback from conference attendees, Southern Arts Federation will invite Nancy Brown back to facilitate future professional development opportunities. She is positively impacting our field."
-John W. Talbott, Executive Director
Southern Arts Federation

"…You have obviously witnessed Nancy's extraordinary dedication to the field of philanthropic development. It is leaders like Nancy who truly better and enhance our profession."
-Tom Clark, Executive Vice President
Association of Fundraising Professionals

"…I am always pleased with Nancy's ability to adjust to the style of the particular group. Her experience in fundraising and group facilitation allows her to bring out the best in the discussion while at the same time raising questions that help educate group members and that encourage members to think thoroughly."
- Jane Egbert, Executive Director
St. Petersburg Free Clinic

"…Nancy is excellent, just to let you know. A number of us had her for two classes and she gets better every time! I think it is because we are learning more and more from her!"
-Patricia Mooney
USF Seminar attendee

"…[Nancy L. Brown] provided an excellent two-day workshop on Increasing Board and Advisory Committee Effectiveness…The course evaluations show she was able to effectively address how to attract good board members, build on the strengths of others to solve problems, deal with obstructive board members and avoid board member burn-out. CUTR would highly recommend the use of Designs in Development, Inc. by other non-profit organizations."
-Philip L. Winters, Program Director
Center for Urban Transportation Research

"It was great to work with you again, this time on our Boards on Track workshop at the University of Tampa. While it's challenging to address the interests of organizations at all levels of development (particularly in such a short time frame), you were able to do so, as reflected in the many positive comments we've received."
-Ann Larsen, Executive Director
Management Assistance Program

"...Without Ms. Brown's assistance I am not sure we would be at 80% of our goal at this time. I have found Ms. Brown to be extremely knowledgeable, and professional about fundraising. She is able to communicate well with those who are not familiar with fundraising..."
-Linda LaMona, former President
Goodwill Industries Heart of Florida, Inc.

"...I found Nancy to be very easy to work with. She is a true professional. She speaks with authority and experience in a relaxed manner that communicates to people at different levels of understanding, knowledge, and experience..."
-Skip Hunt, Ph.D., Founder & Board Chairman
Christian Helplines International

"...Nancy's approach is pragmatic and effective. We had approximately 15 people in attendance and the response was very positive. Most of them adjusted their methods to include part or all of what Nancy suggested. Our results were outstanding..."
-Linda Eisenhart, former Development Director
Shorecrest Preparatory School

"...She provided an excellent orientation to our members regarding the how, when and why of asking for gifts. Most of our members have not had much experience in this activity and greatly appreciated her thoroughness and upbeat approach to the subject. Everyone learned from the session and felt much more comfortable with their ability to ask for money..."
-Peggy Slater, former Executive Director
Sun Coast Hospital Foundation, Inc.

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