the next stage - The Novis Group

The Novis Group - Fundraising Counsel
5547 Mahoning Avenue, Suite 348
Austintown, Ohio 44515
855.239.2633
THE NEXT STAGE
How Stuart’s Opera House Turned Its Bold Vision Into A Reality
A Project Summary By The Novis Group
The Next Stage Campaign Surpasses Goal
Stuart’s Opera House, an iconic performing arts center in Nelsonville, Ohio,
had a vision to expand its facility to create more space for its patrons and to
enhance its educational programs. Initially hoping to raise just $2.5 million,
Opera House staff members, campaign leaders, and countless volunteers
“Good morning...wanted
worked tirelessly...and the results speak for themselves. To date, they have
you to know that we went
raised just over $4 million.
over $4 million yesterday.
There is no singular approach that can be applied to every campaign.
However, there are important elements that—when present in a
campaign—can effectively position an organization for success. The story of
Stuart’s Opera House and its journey to raise the curtain for future
generations embodies these elements and is an excellent example of what
can happen when a strong partnerships exists.
Could not have done it
without you—thanks
partner!”
- Rick Oremus
Campaign Chair (Via Text)
The Novis Group is proud to be affiliated with this fine organization. We
were there every step of the way—from the initial Campaign Readiness
Assessment to managing the campaign. We celebrate the campaign’s
success and wish everyone at Stuart’s Opera House the best as they begin to
turn their vision into a reality.
On the Pages that
Follow:
Stuarts Opera House—Nelsonville, Ohio
WWW.THENOVISGROUP.COM

A Solid Track Record

Making the Case

Assessing the Goal

The Right Leadership

A Well-Structured
Campaign
Making the Case
One of the most important
components of every campaign is a
compelling case for support. For
Stuart’s Opera House, a busy
schedule, along with an exciting vision
for the future that includes new
programs and other Initiatives
designed to better serve the
community, created a significant
challenge. Space – for patrons to
move more freely in the lobby; for
A Crowded Opera House Lobby - More Space is Needed
after-school educational programs;
for rehearsals; for receptions
and events; and for better
A Solid Track Record
accommodating the production of
Stuart’s Opera House has in its lifetime presented the best of vaudeville,
The effects of the space constraints
minstrel shows, and melodramas. It has survived abandonment and fire
were compromising operations and
to become the heart of an active performing arts schedule that reaches
prohibiting growth in areas that can
well beyond Nelsonville and the surrounding Appalachian hills. Today,
more fully engage Stuart’s audiences.
roughly 25,000 people – including more than 8,000 school-age children –
Tim Peacock, Stuart’s executive
experience Stuart’s Opera House. It offers a schedule that includes
director, summed it up this way:
musical performances from all over the world; nationally renowned pro-
“We were at a saturation point.
fessional touring theater groups; and the Athenian Berean Community
Something needed to be done if we
(ABC) Players. Its lobby, also known as Gallery 1879, features works from
were going to take Stuart’s to the next
local, regional, and national artists; and the Nelsonville Music Festival –
level. The demand is growing, and
an annual outdoor festival produced by Stuart’s Opera House – has
we must to be able to keep pace with
become a signature event for the Hocking Hills region and one of the
it. We could not do that with the
leading music festivals in the Midwest. Musicians and audiences travel
space we have right now.”
great distances just to be a part of this four-day experience.
stage events – reached its capacity.
Assessing the Goal
The Novis Group was retained
by Stuart’s Opera House in
2012 after an extensive, and
highly competitive, selection
process. The Novis Group set
out to complete a Campaign
Readiness Assessment to
determine the best approach
for the fundraising effort.
As a first step, the Novis Group
produced the Case Statement,
a prospectus-like document
that presented the history of
Stuart’s Opera House and a
compelling vision for the
future. The Case Statement
was mailed to those who were
interviewed as a part of the
Assessment process.
Novis Group President Jack
Bentz guided Opera House
Board and staff members
through the process of
identifying individuals,
businesses, and foundations
who would could provide
valuable insight into how the
campaign should be
structured; its financial goal;
and potential sources of
significant financial support.
After Jack Bentz conducted
nearly 35 confidential
interviews, he and other
members of the Novis Group’s
management team compiled
the interview data, evaluated
individual interviewee
comments, and prepared a
comprehensive report that
recommended moving forward
with a $2.5 million campaign.
The Right Leadership
As the Next Stage Campaign began, one of the first tasks was to identify and
enlist a solid leadership team. “Big gift” fundraising, as we call it, is mostly a
volunteer-driven activity. So, it was necessary to have a group of people
whose stature in the region would serve the campaign well and would
motivate others to get involved.
In addition to the leadership being provided by Board and staff members
early on in the campaign, we were able to quickly enlist three co-chairs who
best represented the cross-section of prospects we would be approaching
for support. In turn, we worked with the co-chairs to enlist additional
volunteers to lead our campaign soliciting divisions, our campaign cultivation
activities and events, and to support our day-to-day campaign office needs.
We assembled a formidable team.
Like every other campaign we have managed, however, the Next Stage
Campaign was not without its challenges. We had volunteers come and go;
we had volunteers who encountered issues that prevented them from
fulfilling their commitments; and we had volunteers who simply could not
find the time to give to the campaign. Our leaders were not fazed by this...in
fact, it strengthened their resolve. With the proper guidance and an
effective game plan, they were able to rally the troops and get the job done.
A Well-Structured Campaign
Contact Us
The Novis Group managed the Next Stage Campaign over a period of 16 months. During that
Give us a call for more
information about our
services
time we :

Established the campaign organizational structure

Prepared and implemented a formal campaign plan of action

Cultivated and enlisted volunteers to fill the myriad campaign positions

Established the campaign office and managed all administrative activities

Worked with a Resource Development Committee to evaluate campaign prospects

Suite 348
Austintown, Ohio 44515
Prepared solicitation materials and trained volunteers on The Art of Asking

855.239.2633
Assisted volunteers as they made their calls—participating when necessary

Provided guidance on cultivation and public relations activities and events

Met regularly with the campaign leadership team to monitor progress

Provided transitional guidance to staff members once our contract ended
The Novis Group
5547 Mahoning Avenue
info@thenovisgroup.com
Visit us on the web at
www.thenovisgroup.com
In addition to effective management, there needs to be chemistry between client and counsel.
This is a priority for us...and it should be a priority for all of our clients. As you will see from the
quote at the bottom of this page, our partnership with Stuart’s Opera House worked well.
We would welcome the opportunity to partner with you. Call today to begin your journey.
Philanthropy. We Get It.
“....On behalf of the Board and staff of Stuart’s Opera House, thank you so much for
everything! Your leadership, your guidance, and well...you just get us!”
- Emily Prince, Director of Development
_______________________________________________________________