Testimonials

“As we embarked on our first-ever capital campaign, The Dennis Group was an excellent source of coaching to help us develop our fundraising muscles. They led us through the first steps of how to assess giving capacity and the best way to reach out to the Communities where we were trying to raise funds. They equipped us with skills and trained our volunteers to advocate for our needs. We appreciated their personable and professional approach each step of the way.“

“Our TDG Consultants know our project; they understand the why and they really understand our organization. I like to say we’re well known but not known well – I think that they understand and know that. We really didn’t have to do a lot of training with them to understand the organization because they already did. 

“They consult in such a way that you know that they care about the project. They see the project and the big picture of what we’re trying to accomplish and how exciting it is. And they realize it’s good for our community. It is not just about raising the dollars. It is about what happens at the end and how that’s going to impact more people and make our community a better place.“

“The Dennis Group has been the critical link between our young organization with a staff of three, an extensive team of volunteers, and a successful multi-million dollar campaign. At all points along the journey TDG walked beside us, recognizing and celebrating the unique aspects of the project, while bringing their insight, experience, sensitivity and professionalism to every step of the process.”

“My relationship with TDG has been a great experience. I always felt that a partnership existed and very much appreciated the support I received. They made my life much easier and relieved a great deal of the time burden that accumulated for me as Chair of the Fundraising Cabinet.

We successfully raised over $45M which would not have been possible without the TDG team planning our campaign strategy, preparing tailored collateral materials, organizing donor data, guiding our volunteers, developing campaign status reports and ensuring that all essential materials looked professional and were readily available for our fundraising team.”

“Community Living – Grimsby, Lincoln and West Lincoln has engaged The Dennis Group to conduct a recent feasibility study/fundraising audit on our organizations fund development. The consultants working with our organization were knowledgeable and timely in the execution of the deliverables. Additionally, The Dennis Group has provided valuable consultation in Board Governance, Board Development and Recruitment Strategies. The services provided through The Dennis Group are delivered in a timely and professional manner with a high degree of relevance and practicality. The Dennis Group has been instrumental in helping our Foundation move to the next level of development. We are most appreciative of The Dennis Group’s expertise.”

“LDCSS has been working with The Dennis Group from the beginning of our capital campaign. The Dennis Group brought expertise, years of industry experience, proven strategies, and customized a fundraising approach that met both the needs of our community and its challenges. Using The Dennis Group has brought a high degree of professionalism to the campaign and, in turn, an air of confidence among our constituents that the campaign is being well done and will succeed.”

“The Dennis Group provided campaign leadership and direction, as well as ‘back office’ support. Their service was professional with a friendly presence, providing valuable advice which revealed to us the exciting possibility of achieving our goal…”

“From the beginning of this campaign, you have been professional and thorough. You kept us on track, focused on what was important. You taught us, mentored, coached, and worked alongside us to ensure that from a human perspective, this campaign would be a success. You encouraged, prodded, and questioned our assumptions forcing us to consider other options. And with us, you prayed, celebrated, worshiped, rejoiced, and marveled at God gracious provision, time and time again. That, ultimately, is what knit us together as a working group. We thank God that He brought you to us to be such a blessing to the HCS community.”

“We were truly grateful for the thoroughness that The Dennis Group provided during their fundraising audit. We were happy to extend and expand their contract to provide further guidance to our organization”.

“During both the study and the campaign, I have observed The Dennis Group working in a professional and ethical manner at all times and have appreciated their continuous on-site support and directions. The campaign plan and training for participants was conducted by The Dennis Group and was well thought out and implemented.”

“On behalf of Curriculum Services Canada (CSC) I am very pleased with the assistance that The Dennis Group has contributed to the fundraising efforts of our organization. They have been quick to understand the needs and services of CSC. In turn, they have applied that information to an excellent match of funding organizations and businesses. From my past experience in working with fundraising experts I have learned that it takes a great deal of time for positive results. The Dennis Group have instilled the confidence I need to wait it out, given the expertise they have used to find the right match. I have no hesitation in supporting The Dennis Group as an excellent choice for your fundraising needs.”

“Creativity and innovation, combined with enthusiasm, compassion, and sincerity are attributes we have found invaluable in working with The Dennis Group. These qualities and more have formed the basis of an excellent working relationship. Through The Dennis Group’s expertise and guidance our Nova House Capital Campaign reached unexpected heights and exceeded goal!”

“Hospice Quinte had been planning for some time to undertake a capital fundraising campaign in order to build a hospice residence – the Hospice Quinte Care Centre. Initial estimates for the project came in at just under $4M. Knowing that a campaign of that size would be challenging with a small staff and limited capital fundraising experience, we sought out professional support with The Dennis Group. The staff and management of The Dennis Group have been encouraging, knowledgeable, and able to “roll with the punches” of our very unusual campaign. Our first estimates for the cost of the project proved to be incorrect as health care building standards had changed. We ended up needing to raise $9.5M – over double what we had originally thought. The Dennis Group never skipped a beat, even with the news of needing to raise that large amount of money within a very short time frame. Our campaign also suffered a tragedy with the sudden death of one of our co-chairs of the capital campaign cabinet. We also faced the unknown as the COVID-19 pandemic overtook the world just months ahead of our finish line and in the beginning stages of the community phase of our campaign.

In spite of these setbacks, staff of The Dennis Group continued to show grace under pressure, exhibit creativity in response to new and changing situations, and demonstrate their considerable skill, knowledge, and experience in the area of capital campaign fundraising. As this was my first capital campaign of this magnitude, it gave me confidence to go to my community seeking these funds, knowing that The Dennis Group “had my back”. They provided coaching for myself, our staff, board members and capital cabinet members. Their organization and information gathering has kept us all on track during the campaign and allowed me to continue to devote time to my operational duties. The Dennis Group has been a significant part of the success of our campaign and I would not hesitate to recommend them to any other organization seeking assistance in the area of capital fundraising.”

“Right from the start of our project, The Dennis Group made it a priority to get to know who we were – not only our mission, our goals, our needs, and our passions, but also our leadership and our community. With that knowledge, they were able to effectively apply their expertise towards equipping us to achieve our goals. Don’t expect a consultant that will do your work for you. Expect a consultant that grows to understand how to direct you to apply the best practices in community engagement to help you accomplish your goals and dreams.”