$8 Million Raised to Scale a Global Mission

A Strategic Investment That Delivered a 40x Return

  • TOTAL INVESTED: $200,000
  • TOTAL RAISED: $8,000,000
  • ROI: ~40 X Initial Investment

Why It Mattered

As Allies in Youth Development expanded its reach, one thing became clear: the need was global, but our funding model was not. We had passionate leadership, a compelling mission, and early success in 3 countries—but lacked the infrastructure to sustain growth or pursue large-scale opportunities.

Without a significant increase in capacity and revenue, our ability to serve vulnerable children would plateau.

The Strategic Decision

Founder Chris Burgin and the leadership team brought the challenge to the board. Together, they made a bold choice: invest $200,000 in the Major Gifts Ramp-Up (MGRU) model—a structured, high-touch fundraising system designed to unlock transformational gifts and long-term sustainability.

Working with an MGRU Counselor, the team:

  • Developed a powerful case for support that galvanized new donors
  • Identified and cultivated high-capacity philanthropic partners
  • Trained the board in vision-driven fundraising
  • Built a 24-month major gifts campaign strategy
  • Implemented donor engagement systems aligned with organizational goals

The Outcome

The campaign resulted in:

  • $8 million raised—fully funding global program expansion
  • Footprint growth from 3 countries to 72 countries
  • Major donor pipeline established for future growth
  • Board alignment and activation around a shared strategic vision
  • Long-term sustainability supported by deeper donor relationships

This wasn’t just a fundraising success—it was an organizational shift.

Impact and Takeaway

“Before Major Gifts Ramp-Up, scaling felt out of reach. Now we have the structure, talent, and tools to pursue our mission at the level it deserves.”

Chris Burgin

Founder, Allies in Youth Development

This investment didn’t just fund programs—it changed the way we lead, plan, and grow. Our board is now positioned to make data-driven decisions, steward transformational donors, and set goals that reflect our true potential—not our past constraints.

Key Insight

Investing in infrastructure—especially major gifts strategy—isn’t a risk. It’s the responsibility of bold leadership. When board vision, executive leadership, and proven fundraising models align, ROI is measured in both dollars and lives transformed.