Placer Community Foundation

Client Spotlight

Placer Community Foundation

Placer Community Foundation (PCF), a community foundation in Northern California with $30 million in assets, has partnered with us since 2022 to build a high-performing, donor-centered communications system that can drive year-round fundraising, increase legacy and designated fund commitments, and position PCF as a community catalyst across Placer County.

THE CHALLENGE

PCF had strong programs but lacked a unified communications system to drive fundraising across donor types and campaigns. The team needed a repeatable, strategic structure to engage fundholders, attract new donors, and activate professional advisors—while also rolling out a new brand identity.

OUR APPROACH

We guided PCF through our Journey to Yes process, resulting in a layered strategy built to deliver impact at multiple levels. Since then we’ve been their implementation partner for all campaigns.

Insight-Driven Planning

Conducted stakeholder interviews and reviewed historical messaging and donor activity.
Created a strategy map and communications calendar grounded in PCF’s strategic plan.

Mini Campaign Infrastructure

Developed and implemented a rolling schedule of short, topical campaigns (e.g., Legacy Giving, “Fund These Grants,” PCF Field of Interest Funds, End-of-Year Giving).
Produced materials for each campaign including email sequences, social ads, donor letters, newspaper ads, and videos.
Integrated donor psychology techniques including urgency, matching funds, social proof, and personalization.

Donor Journey Design

Built customized pathways for new donors, legacy prospects, and fundholders.
Designed an email drip series aligned with mini campaigns and giving triggers.
Created segmented outreach plans leveraging the Claritas donor database.

Professional Advisor & Board Activation

Designed appointment-setting email sequences for professional advisors tied to MOCI education.
Equipped board members with messaging and tools to cultivate new donors.