“In 2009, West Texas A&M University engaged Terrapin Consulting to assist with its first-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign. The results of the campaign were extraordinary, $50.3 million, well exceeding the optimistic $35 million initial goal. The support provided included infrastructure and staffing decisions, campaign feasibility study, staff and volunteer training, and collaboration on overall strategy with executive leadership. In 2013, the University expanded its partnership with Terrapin Consulting to include to the development of a structured planned giving program. Once again, the results of our work with Terrapin Consulting have been phenomenal. We know have a robust program, generating 15%-20% of all funds raised by the University on average each year. The most valuable outcome of our partnership with Terrapin Consulting is the personal relationships that still exist today. Walt and Paul are mentors and friends to many on our staff. The effort they made to develop personal relationships with our staff is priceless.  

~Tim Bynum, VP Institutional Advancement, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX

“The board training seminar conducted by the Hueston Eilers Partners was valuable on many levels for Carpenter Place. We were able to re-engage our committees through the recommendations made by Walt Eilers, which increased our efficiency and productivity as an organization. Through the guidance of Terrapin Consulting, Carpenter Place is now able to serve our families, our donors, and our girls better than before.”  

~Ben Zickafoose, CEO Carpenter Place, Wichita, Kansas

“During our Inspire Renew Soar campaign Walt and Paul did 75 personal interviews during the feasibility study with donors all over the nation that were characterized by professionalism, personal attention and efficiency. Overall on the feasibility study, with their leadership, we had 100 responses out of 630 inquiries, a remarkable response.

These men provide careful guidance on managing a multilevel one-on-one fundraising campaign”.

~Dr. Harold Shank, President, Ohio Valley University, Vienna, WV

“NSU has worked with Walt throughout the university’s most recent comprehensive campaign, from a feasibility study and strategic plan through our first million-dollar gift and wrapping up the campaign. During this time, there were three university presidents, two interim presidents, a centennial celebration, a major recession, and a leadership change in the development office.  They masterfully helped us negotiate through these many changes and stay on track for a successful campaign.”

~Peggy Glenn, MPP, JD, Director of Development, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK

“This campaign is the second time that I have worked with Walt, and both times we have enjoyed tremendous success. His insightful and steady guidance helped us overcome many obstacles to surpass a goal that many in our community thought was beyond our reach. Together, we have changed the culture of giving within the University community, changed the region’s perceptions of the University and invested in the future of the Texas Panhandle. Terrapin’s attention to detail, their commitment to developing the professional skills of each member of the WT team, and their ability to interpret the changing environment not only made our campaign a success, but also transformed us into a fundraising organization that will continue to be successful year after year. ”

~Dr. Neal Weaver, Vice President for Institutional Advancement, West Texas A&M University, Canyon, TX and Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma

“I have no hesitation in giving Terrapin the highest recommendation and appreciate a job well done.”

~Gerald A. Bagg, President/CEO Catholic Health Initiatives Foundation (retired)

“Paul and his associates are experienced, skilled, gifted and highly successful.  I would not hesitate to select them as your consultant. They have my greatest respect, my utmost trust, and my highest recommendation as a partner in advancing the excellence of your team and the mission of your organization.”

~Diane LeBlanc, retired President Penrose-St. Francis Health Foundation

 “Your wisdom and guidance over the past three years kept us on track for our successful quest of a $10 million Donald W. Reynolds Foundation grant to build a new Baxter County Library. I am sure that we could not have done it without your help. You kept us focused and on track. Thanks to Walt and Paul for your attention to detail and your personal commitment to our project.”

~Gwen Khayat, Baxter County Librarian

“The professional manner in which Paul Gardner approached our volunteers was very evident and many have expressed their appreciation for your visit. Our trustees were equally impressed during the time you had with them. Even though we have made the decision not to undertake a campaign at this time, the information you gathered will be invaluable as we look toward a future effort.”

 “Walt Eilers is chair of the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. He donated his professional time and expertise to update our corporate papers and bylaws, moderated our planning sessions, drafted our first Strategic Plan and continues to assist the Garden to progress toward financial sustainability through chairing our Fundraising Committee. Walt is deeply committed to the Garden and making it a successful regional attraction. BGSO counts on his advise and experience to help our new venture grow and blossom.”

~Bill Dollar, President, Botanical Garden Society of the Ozarks

“When I assumed my present role with Baptist Health Foundation, we contracted with Terrapin to conduct a development audit. With your findings and good advice, we made some structural changes so people could grow professionally and use their skills and strengths more effectively. As a result, our team is energized, motivated, and excelling at even higher levels.

…and Terrapin Consulting has my greatest respect, my utmost trust, and my highest recommendation.”

~Diane Harrison, CFRE, former Executive Vice President, Baptist Health Foundation

“The Nursing Education Consortium consists of the four nursing schools serving Northwest Arkansas. Walt Eilers has aided NEC as a consultant since its inception in 2004. He helped us gain our IRS status, secure over $800,000 in grants to operate our programs and moderated our annual strategic planning process. Walt has been instrumental in the success of our Bilingual Nursing Scholars Initiative. We are pleased with his attention to detail and his personal commitment to our mission to improve nursing education. We continue to partner with Walt because we know his commitment and that we can count on him to give excellent service and advice.”

~Elaine Holloway, President, Northwest Arkansas Nursing Education Consortium

 “As a client of Terrapin Consulting, I would highly recommend their services to any Boys & Girls Club for capital fundraising. Our club had a feasibility study done first which was very important to our campaign. This was our first Capital Campaign and we interviewed several applicants…but were most impressed by this group.”

~Cathy Andrasik, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs, Russellville, Arkansas

“Yvonne Richardson Community Center serves the South Fayetteville community with a range of programs. Walt Eilers came to our board to offer his pro-bono service to help us conduct a community needs assessment and to develop a strategic plan. He helped us through the process and assisted us to develop and implement a strategy that will help us improve our services to our neighbors. Walt continues to participate in our programs and to offer his help. YRCC highly recommends Terrapin Consulting as consultants who are engaged in the community and who seek to make it a better place in which to live and grow.”

~Syard Evans, YRCC Board Chair

“Wow! You really broadened my ‘horizons!’ I very much enjoyed our training session with you, and I really learned a lot. I am truly excited about the campaign here and the personal growth opportunities it presents.”

~Gina Garrett, Lyon College

“This is to recommend Terrapin Consulting, as a full-service fundraising professional. Paul is leading and guiding the most aggressive campaign ever in the history of York College. My appreciation for Paul extends beyond his professional experience for one central reason–he deeply cares about his clients and is personally committed to their success. Because of his extensive experience in higher education and his understanding of ‘the academic community,’ he also serves as a personal consultant to me on a variety of educational issues beyond campus financial development.”

“My recommendation of Terrapin Consulting has no reservation! Paul and his associates have a unique ability to both assess and address the real needs of personnel and organizations while remaining true to the founding mission.”

~Wayne Baker, former President and current Chancellor, York College

“Just Communities of Central Arkansas worked with Paul Gardner and Walt Eilers to develop a Strategic Plan to help us move toward financial sustainability. We are pleased with their work and their commitment to our mission. They not only helped devise a workable Strategic Plan, but continue to maintain communications and assist us with new ideas on ways to organize and prioritize our work.”

~Ruth Shepherd, Executive Director, JCCA

“NSU has partnered with Paul and Walt of Terrapin Consulting for over two years. During that time we have been pleased with their attention to detail, careful mentoring of our development staff and deep personal interest in NSU, its staff and programs. Not only have they helped us plan for a comprehensive campaign, but also they helped the University develop a strategic plan and have helped the Alumni and Development Office create a new organization chart and strategic plan.”

~John Gyllin, former Director of Development, Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, OK

 

 

 

“From a fundraising client’s perspective, you, your staff and your company are a guide, a map, showing us the way from where we are to where we want to be. A compass rose is a strong symbol of navigation, with meaning that includes providing a clear, consistent and reliable course, to users during their travels, guiding them away from dangers and delays and towards their objective.”

~Ben McLintock, former Executive Director, Children’s House/EOA

 

“The professional manner in which Paul Gardner approached our volunteers was very evident and many have expressed their appreciation for your visit. Our trustees were equally impressed during the time you had with them. Even though we have made the decision not to undertake a campaign at this time, the information you gathered will be invaluable as we look toward a future effort.”

~Steve Owens, President/CEO, Arkansas State University Foundation

“From our perspective, the campaign was a phenomenal success. We exceeded our $6.2 million goal! We are grateful for your support, knowledge and gentle “shepherding” as we went through the process. I am confident that your knowledge and professionalism were key ingredients in ensuring the success of our campaign.”

~Donna M. Brown, Executive Director, Mesilla Valley Hospice

 

 

 

“I am familiar with Fred’s leadership in the field of philanthropy because I worked with him in two capacities. In both of these leadership capacities, I observed him as he provided professional management and personal flair to the administration of these two multi-million dollar non-profit organizations.

~Winthrop P. Rockefeller