Brazen’s Story:
If you build it, they will come.
At Cascade Collaborative, we believe that every business has a unique story to tell. With Brazen Fundraising, we had the privilege of helping them lay the foundation for something truly impactful. From strategic planning to operational optimization, our collaboration helped Emily and her team bring their vision to life, and set the stage for lasting success.
The Challenge:
Building a Strong Foundation from the Ground Up
When Emily approached us, Brazen Fundraising was still in its early stages. Emily had a bold vision: to revolutionize the fundraising industry with innovative, client-centered digital products that attract and retain donors. But to do this, she needed a solid foundation—a strategy that would help her attract the right clients and grow her business sustainably.
Emily’s challenge was clear: she needed a scalable business model that would not only support her current goals but also grow with her as Brazen expanded its reach.
Our Approach:
Defining the Core: Vision, Mission & Values
Our first step was to align Brazen Fundraising’s core values, mission, and vision. Through collaborative workshops, we helped Emily and her team define their guiding principles and organizational values. These weren’t just buzzwords—they became the foundation upon which everything else would be built.
Client Journey Mapping: Designing with Impact
We then shifted our focus to the client experience. Using our expertise in customer journey mapping, we helped Emily design a seamless, engaging experience that kept clients at the center of everything Brazen Fundraising does. From initial contact to long-term relationships, we crafted a strategy that would drive engagement and ensure clients felt valued.
Strategic Planning Meets Execution
We started by taking a step back to assess the bigger picture. Cascade Collaborative worked closely with Emily to map out a comprehensive strategic plan that would serve as the backbone of Brazen Fundraising’s growth.
Operational Planning: Laying the Groundwork
With a clear vision in place, we focused on operational planning. We helped Emily craft essential policies and procedures that would enable smooth daily operations and growth, including process development for client outreach, data tracking, and engagement.
Financial Forecasting: Preparing for the Future
A crucial part of our strategic session involved financial planning. Together, we forecasted a three-year pipeline with multiple revenue streams, ensuring Brazen had a sustainable model in place. We also helped identify potential funding sources and budget allocation strategies to support their goals.
The Result:
A Clear Path Forward
Thanks to our in-depth collaboration, Brazen Fundraising now has a solid, actionable plan for growth. With the foundation in place, Emily feels confident in scaling her business and taking her vision to the next level. Here's how Cascade Collaborative helped Emily and her team:
Clarity and Direction: With a clearly defined vision, mission, and values, Emily now has a strong sense of direction to guide every decision and action.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlined processes and systems that help Brazen Fundraising scale without the complexity of manual operations.
Client-Centric Strategy: A refined client journey that not only attracts new clients but also nurtures long-term relationships.
Financial Confidence: A well-thought-out financial roadmap that includes forecasting, diversified revenue streams, and clear budgeting strategies for growth.
What Emily Has to Say:
“Honestly, this was the BEST retreat and overall experience. Somehow, you made dealing with a list of 60+ things doable and fun instead of overwhelming and hard. We now have a sense of purpose, clear milestones, structure, policies, vision/mission, job descriptions, and processes for pretty much everything.
I’m so relieved to have all of this done and now focus on growing instead of worrying about all the foundational elements. I think you just sped up our organizational progress by six months, maybe even a year.”
Looking Ahead:
Big Things Are Coming
As Brazen Fundraising continues to grow, Emily is already seeing the benefits of having a structured, thoughtful plan in place. Cascade Collaborative will continue to support Brazen as it scales, offering guidance and expertise at every step along the way.
If you’re ready to start building your business on a solid foundation—just like Emily did with Brazen Fundraising—Cascade Collaborative is here to help. Let’s partner to create a strategy that aligns with your vision and positions you for long-term success.
