Fundraising & Development Counsel

    "Thank you for your service to our parish family during our recent capital campaign. It was a great success. With an initial goal of $700,000, our pledges, at present, total $1,140,000. . .
    "We commend you for your very detailed instruction and plans of action, at a very reasonable cost. The campaign video was very well done, and well received by our people. We have nothing but praise for you and your staff and their conducting of the campaign."

Fr. Greg Schmidt, Pastor
Immaculate Conception Church
Old Monroe, MO

     "Our church has conducted a capital campaign with the assistance of. . . CDS Consultants. [The campaign] was preceded by a feasibility study that was both thorough and professional. Planning for the campaign was well organized, detailed and timely. By carefully following the campaign manual, we were successful at each stage of the planning and preparation phases. Particularly helpful was the day by day calendar displaying all the time lines and deadlines from start to finish.
    "We found our consultant to be knowledgeable and well prepared in all facets of the campaign. His availability and guidance were key to our ultimate success. In fact, we significantly exceeded our celebration goal.
    "Based on our parish experience, I would wholeheartedly recommend CDS Consultants . . . to anyone considering a capital campaign."

Rev. John Deken, Pastor
Church of Sainte Genevieve
Ste. Genevieve, MO

    "When the parish Finance Committee directed me to investigate the possibility of conducting a campaign like this one, I felt very unsure of myself and was concerned about the outcome. But, from the first moment we met during the interview process, our Committee felt certain that CDS was the right firm.
    "The first thing that appealed to us was how flexible your approach was to capital funds. . . You listened to our concerns and explained the reasons for your suggestions. Throughout the process, you presented us with options from which we could select what best matched the personality of our parish.
    "To my surprise, I actually enjoyed the campaign and did not find the process to be as. . . anxiety producing as I had anticipated. I believe the reason for my high level of comfort was the direct relation to the philosophy of your company (scripturally based), the approach of your people, and the clarity of the materials. From the Feasibility Study to Commitment Sunday, the campaign was a thorough educational process that resulted in great success. In our campaign, we raised $750,000 on a minimum goal of $500,000."

Fr. Paul Rothschild, Pastor
All Souls Church
Overland, MO

    "For many years, our church depended on fund-raising events to meet its budget. Even though income was steadily declining, many of the older members resisted stewardship programs.
    "When I heard of CDS Consultants and their "Together We Grow" program with its scripturally based approach to giving, I felt this was just what the congregation needed. In October of 2002 our congregation invited CDS Consultants to conduct a stewardship program.
    "As we moved through the steps in the program, the original resistance of some of the older members seemed to melt away. Even they enthusiastically participated in the training; preparing and giving their testimonials of faith, and declaring their intention towards better stewardship.
    "The end result of a 39% increase in giving, and a surge of enthusiasm for developing new vision for the mission and ministry of our church, certainly speaks to the quality of the leadership and the personal commitment of faith of CDS Consultants and the "Together We Grow" program. I enthusiastically recommend CDS Consultants for your fund-raising program."

Rev. Maryann Hamer, Pastor
Lewis Memorial Chapel, UMC