On May 2, 2016, Consulting for a Cause’s President and Founder, Paula Barbag, and Vice President of Organizational Development, Derek Kolleeny, participated in a panel discussion of Benefit Corporations: social enterprises and funding models for not-for-profits at the Not-For-Profit Leadership Summit.

Download the panel presentation here: LeadershipSummitPowerpointfinal

Volunteer and professional not-for-profit leaders gather each May to attend the annual Not-for-Profit Leadership Summit, presented by the Westchester Community Foundation and the United Way of Westchester and Putnam.  This thought-leadership forum includes notable speakers and workshops that examine emerging trends in the nonprofit sector.  It provides learning, networking and growth opportunities for nonprofit leaders.

Paula Barbag, President & Founder of Consulting For a Cause was recently featured in Inside Chappaqua.

Click here to read more.

“I believe you’ll achieve the most success, personally and professionally, if you follow your passion, remain true to yourself, and be all that you can be.” 

Communicating an Old Message to a New Generation; and on a Small Budget

Download Stop Stigma Now Case Study

“The goal of Stop Stigma Now remains the same as it did when our committee was started over 6 years ago by a group of retired leaders in the field,” said co-chair Sy Demsky. “To continue to make medication assisted treatment (Methadone, Buprenorphine and other medications) acceptable to the world at large for the benefit of patients. This was the dream of Dr. Vincent Dole… and with the help of Consulting For A Cause we will make this come true for all the patients in treatment.”

CFC gave Stop Stigma Now a fresher, more contemporary image, including their new logo shown to the left, with their old logo on the right.

In just ninety days, CFC helped Stop Stigma Now develop innovative communications and branding strategies, and to plan and implement an initial fundraiser. Additionally, the group will launch a web site and social media pages before the end of the month.

Upcoming projects include finalizing a business plan, restructuring the group to better pursue IRS recognition as a tax-exempt organization, rolling out the next stages of communication to directly combat stigma and misinformation around medically assisted opioid addiction treatment, and a more ambitious fundraising campaign designed to support the group’s work at a much broader level.

When asked for comment, Stop Stigma Now supporter Frank Carillo said “Of all the things we did to help get SSN to the launch pad, the best decision was to hire CFC to act as mission control. We are proud to be a part of Stop Stigma Now’s accomplishments to date and look forward to helping this ambitious new organization make a difference in the lives of those living with addiction and their families.

 Crains New York Business recently published a new survey taking a closer look at trends in the metro New York nonprofit sector. A majority of respondents predict that 2014 will end with more funds raised than in 2013, with foundations and individuals top among funding sources thought most likely to increase. Additionally, government and social media were reported as the least likely to increase significantly, while no funding source was anticipated to decrease.

The report also found that fundraising budgets have remained flat, even as programs and operating budgets are expanding, and nearly half of respondents working full time have duties other than fund raising.

You can read the full report here.

Consulting For A Cause helps nonprofits maximize results from their fundraising activities. We are happy to show you how to fine tune your nonprofit fundraising activities—give us a phone call or email us today to learn how.

Art education and art therapy can make a profound difference in the lives of people with mental illness, and CHOICE of New Rochelle has made this connection the lynchpin of its biggest public awareness campaign and fundraiser. Consulting For A Cause has once again worked with CHOICE to produce its second annual EXPRESSIONS Art Show at the private studios of internationally known New Rochelle based pop artist Charles Fazzino on Tuesday, September 30th. 

The event will consist of a private art show, guided studio tour, and reception, with an expanded focus including a live art demonstration by New York City based graffiti artists Tats Cru and a performance by recording artist Mike Sabath (pictured at right). Mike Sabath’s set will include the debut of “Superheroes,” a new song inspired by CHOICE clients.

The event will also honor Mr. Ashley Brody, Associate Executive Director of Search for Change, Inc and a CHOICE board member and supporter. Attendees will be able to view some never-before-seen Fazzino 3D pop art pieces as well as some of the work by the clients of CHOICE. It promises to be an entertaining, educational, and inspiring evening—we hope you will consider joining us.

As part of our Organizational Development services, Consulting For A Cause helps clients to find excellent people. In the coming days, we anticipate posting executive searches for a Chief Development Officer, a Chief Operating Officer, and a mid-level art director.

Please check our home page and social media regularly for information about our latest searches, and help us to find great nonprofit executives!

The Food Bank for Westchester is hosting “An Evening in Good Taste…To End Childhood Hunger” on Thursday, October 16, 2014. This is a gourmet event where local chefs donate their time, talents and delectable edibles for your mouth-watering pleasure, plus a silent auction with a variety of fabulous items and experiences.

Proceeds are used to fight childhood hunger in Westchester and support the Food Bank’s Kids Cafe and BackPack programs. For more information, click here.

Community Based Services, a nonprofit organization providing services to individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities, recently combined a love of animals with the desire to create a company that supports an integrated workforce to create Good Reasons, a not-for-profit dog treat company on a mission.

Good Reasons creates delicious and healthy dog treats while providing opportunity and employment for people with autism and other disabilities. Its workforce is made up of people of all abilities, in an effort to help people live a more productive and integrated life.

Good Reasons founder Vicki Sylvester, Ph. D., merged her professional experience as an advocate for the disabled community with her love of animals to create a company that supports an integrated workforce. Head chef Allan Katz is a graduate of the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, and brings his expertise to the canine world. You can learn more about this unconventional company at their Facebook and Twitter pages.

You can also click here to visit the Good Reasons treat shop and see their line of healthy dog treats. All purchases you make go to support the dual missions of this innovative organization.

We applaud Community Based Services for their visionary leadership and dedication to the advancement of employment for those with disabilities.

On Monday, May 5th, several Consulting for a Cause advisors presented a workshop at the United Way of Westchester and Putnam and Westchester Community Foundation’s Not-for-Profit Leadership Summit XII conference held at the Doubletree Hotel in Tarrytown. The workshop entitled, “Managing Your Workforce in a Zero Salary Increase Environment,” was co-moderated by Paula Barbag, MBA, CFRE and Lindsay Farrell, MBA, FACMPE, Open Door Family Medical Center. The following CFC colleagues were panelists: Robert S. Nadel, President, The Nadel Consulting Group, Inc.; Robert Cooper, Robert L. Cooper & Associates; and Jeffrey Diaz, Jeffrey Diaz Consulting.

The 1½-hour workshop covered best practices in Employee Relations/Family Friendly Work Environments; Manpower Planning and Career Orientation; Mission Driven Recruitment and Selection; Training and Development Aimed at Career Orientation; Compensation is Fair Internally; High Performers are Recognized and Rewarded; Performance Management Systems in Place; Career Paths are Clear; Philosophy of Promotions From Within Where Possible; Succession Planning is Part of Workforce Management; and Retirement Plans are Clear.
Best new ideas include: Multi-generational workforce management; fiduciary responsibility to employees (teach value of leverage in investing in retirement plan, teach value of leverage in life insurance, teach meaning of good credit); training and development in house; use of tuition reimbursement for professional development; and ensure vision and “line of sight” to agency mission.

The results of offering employee-friendly benefits (increased morale, improved health and mental health, reduction in employee absences) and higher employee engagement (increased productivity, increased profitability, greater staff retention and enhanced customer satisfaction) were discussed as well.

How do you capture the attention of your constituents for an early fall fundraiser when they are out and about, vacationing during the summer? If your agency has a late September or early October event such as a gala or golf outing, you need to promote sponsorships, tickets and journal ads in June, July and August, when many of your constituents are taking time off and enjoying the outdoors. Engaging potential sponsors and event attendees during the summer takes some extra effort in order to bring them closer to your mission and to purchase their sponsorships or tickets early. Include these tried and true marketing techniques:

• Send out a series of e-blasts varying the headlines and subject lines to capture the readers’ attention.
• Consider producing a summer newsletter and include the event as the lead article on the front page.
• Do a soft mailing (letter and order form) to solicit title sponsors.
• Maximize PR opportunities by sending press releases to every print, broadcast and Internet media vehicle.
• Consider including an “Early Bird” special rate offer.
• Maximize your use of social media by varying the announcements (e.g. at different times, announce annual event chairs, honorees, sponsorship availability or last chance to purchase tickets)

Also try some of the following extra promotions:

• Capitalize on a summer event you may be having (e.g. at your annual summer volunteer picnic, make an announcement and hand out invitations).
• Hold a kickoff event like an outdoor or poolside cocktail party for major donors.
• Send out a recap of your fiscal year ending in June with photos of spring events and include an ad on the fall fundraiser.
• Get your donors in the mood – – in your soft mailing include a “fall” gift like a special printed back-to-school checklist or a handy list of fall foliage sites in the Hudson Valley to visit.
• Hold a “call-a-thon” and leave a message on the phones of potential donors/attendees if they are not home.
• Include a “ThankYouForCaring” Card in the soft mailing. ThankYouForCaring Cards are a free way to thank your volunteer base or low cost donor incentive that offers restaurant and store discounts and coupons. www.thankyouforcaring.com

With a little extra effort, your early fall event can be just as successful as fundraisers held at other times of the year. Plus you have the benefit of being one of the first events of the season. Here’s to a successful fall event!

On Wednesday, October 9th, Consulting For A Cause was honored with the 2013 Chappaqua- Millwood Chamber of Commerce New Business of the Year award. Click Here to read more about the award ceremony.

Friday, Oct 11, 2013

9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

This retreat offered a morning of respite from everyday routine as participants experienced four different areas of wellness to address their whole body and mind. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the group discussed breast cancer prevention and other women’s health issues. This was a perfect opportunity to learn or further practice yoga and gain some nutritional advice in a calm and serene environment.

Small groups cycled through all four sessions: 1) Yoga-for all levels 2) Nutrition and Weight Reduction 3) Coping with Stress and Mindfulness Meditation and 4) Women’s Health.

Chief Executive of CHOICE, Guy Fessenden was featured in The Journal News on Sunday, September 15th, regarding his efforts to raise awareness of mental illness.
Click here to read the article

Recently, Consulting for a Cause team members, Paula Barbag, Jane Matluck, and their daughters; Alexis, Erica, and Hannah, traveled to the Dominican Republic on a Service for Peace international service trip. On their trip they learned about the Women’s Collective Enterprise, a start-up cocoa business comprised of local women who have been confronting women’s empowerment issues in order to gain the confidence to build their business. Through Service for Peace, the members of the Women’s Collective Enterprise can be connected with service volunteers to provide assistance to their growing business in the form of both physical labor, supplies, and monetary funds.

To learn more about Service for Peace visit www.serviceforpeace.org. To view the full photo album of the Dominican Republic service trip visit our facebook page.

CHOICE is a peer agency that assists consumers of mental health services to receive vital benefits to which they are entitled through advocacy and case management services.

On Thursday, September 26th an exhibit and VIP reception celebrating art and the human spirit was held at the studio of internationally renowned pop artist, Charles Fazzino, to honor the work of Mary Grace Ferone, Chair of CHOICE of New Rochelle.

To learn more about CHOICE and their mission visit www.choiceofny.org. To learn more about Charles Fazzino visit www.fazzino.com.