NOTE: Please do NOT contact these organizations directly with your questions about the Benevon Model. They, just like all nonprofits, are busy fulfilling their missions, and have generously contributed their stories with the understanding that readers of our Web site will not contact them directly. Instead, please direct any questions about Benevon to info@benevon.com or (206) 709-9400. Thank you for your consideration.

The Alexandria Technical College has been a shining star among institutions of higher education in Minnesota, so when I was offered the opportunity to take over the work of the Alexandria Technical College Foundation in 1994, I jumped at the chance. I couldn't imagine anything better than to put my energy and business sales skills behind the task of raising money for student scholarships and college programs.

Soon after my arrival, the Foundation completed a capital campaign which surpassed its intended goal of $500,000 by actually raising $850,000. At the time, that seemed like a resounding success, but not compared with what was still to come.

Alexandria, MN is a community of about 10,000 people. The mission of the Alexandria Technical College Foundation is to support the college by friend-raising, fundraising, and gaining the support of the community it serves. Early on, I struggled with how these goals could best be accomplished. Then, while attending a convention for the National Society of Fund Raising Executives (now AFP) in the spring of 1999, I attended a presentation given by Terry Axelrod. I knew immediately that her model would be just right for the Alexandria Technical College Foundation. At that session, I learned that the [Benevon] Model was about relationship building. My first thought was, "Our town thrives on relationships. This model would be perfect for Alexandria."

I knew I would need to convince the Board of Directors of the merits of this model while enlisting supporters to implement the model. Meanwhile, I watched the [Benevon] videos, read Terry's first book, and subscribed to the [Benevon] E-New$. I knew that the "team training" concept was the best choice if the model was something I really wanted to do. Our team flew to Dallas, TX to attend the [Benevon] 101 Workshop in the fall of 2001, and we returned home fired up and convinced that this was the system we wanted to implement! We started holding Point of Entry^® Events in November and continued until spring. We called them "Coffee with the President." Guests were treated to a continental breakfast, chat time with the President, and a tour of the college. These events were a hit! People attending them said, "Thanks for inviting me," "I learned so much about the college," and "What a great way to start my day!"

As we started to put the Ask Event^™ together, we began to have some doubts. Our Board of Directors and college leadership members were very apprehensive about putting all our old fundraising endeavors on hold. The Dream Maker Society was my biggest fear. I begged our coach to let us change the amounts we had established. Alexandria is a small community. It seemed an impossibility for me to ask for a pledge of $1,000, $5,000 or $10,000 per year for five years. But our coach refused to let us deviate from the model. In the end, with the help of our coach, blind faith, and the strong conviction of those of us that attended the workshop, everyone was convinced to stick to the model.

We followed the model verbatim, fully cultivated our Point of Entry guests and, on a beautiful spring day, 250 people attended our first Ask Event. They heard the college's story and how it impacts peoples' lives through testimonials, a video, and dramatizations. The attendees were wowed. We, the organizers, were ecstatic and glowed in the praise. It was a success, but we had no idea how successful. Excitement turned into awe and gratefulness when the total giving amounts from that day's event topped $500,000 in gifts and pledges.

To keep the momentum rolling, I convinced the Foundation Board to send my team to [Benevon] 201. Once again, our team returned from the workshop rejuvenated. The building of relationships intensified after the workshop with Free Feel-Good Events, coffees, lunches, delivering holiday poinsettias, and telephone calls.

We decided to focus the 2003 Ask Event on the students and raising money for scholarships. The impressed attendees left the luncheon asking if they could be invited to the next year's event, and our returning guests from the previous year were glad they came again. Satisfied that people had a good time, our team was pleased to discover the event had raised $300,000 in new money and pledges.

Now that we had built a base of supporters in the community, sustainability became our main focus, and this propelled us through the [Benevon] 301 Program. The information our team gained from the 301 Program proved invaluable. Relationships with college partners, industries, businesses, and community members flourished. In the first three quarters of the fiscal year leading up to the 2004 spring Ask Event alone, the college received over $1,000,000 in in-kind gifts.

It was time to celebrate, so that became the theme of the 2004 Ask Event. Students, faculty, staff, donors, the work of the college, and a new college president were all celebrated. I have been told by attendees that it was the best luncheon yet. Everyone wants to be invited next year. It has become THE spring event to attend. And, again, the event brought in an impressive amount of donations in new monies and new pledges to bring our three-year total since adopting the model to over $2,000,000. As a result, the Alexandria Technical College Foundation has been able to double the amount given to student support and college programs each year, and the endowment fund has increased from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000.

I have experienced firsthand how the [Benevon] Model gives direction and how powerful it is when followed. I am excited with how it has energized the Foundation's Board of Directors and invested them in the model as well. To sum up my feelings, each year brings new excitement about more Point of Entry Events, generates new relationships, and nurtures the excellent relationships established thanks to the [Benevon] Model.

Kathy Nohre
Executive Director