When guests attend a Jeffco Action Center Point of Entry^® tour in Lakewood, CO, they are guaranteed to leave viewing the center's work in Jefferson County in a whole new light.

As they arrive, they are greeted at the door and introduced to the person who will lead their tour, usually the Action Center's Executive Director Nancy Nicholas or Development Director Mag Strittmatter. The event includes a tape-recorded testimonial of a client whose life has been changed by the Action Center's work. As powerful as the testimonial is, it's also accompanied by the client's photo to give the tape recording a human touch. Following the testimonial, the guests are treated to photo collages that detail the great work that Jeffco Action Center has been doing often unheralded, right in their community. Finally, highlighting the event is a tour of whichever facility this particular tour is being held at, such as their homeless shelter, so guests can see the agency's mission at work. "We conducted a total of 47 Point of Entry Events prior to holding our first Ask Event^™," Mag says, "and to a person, guests leave saying they had 'no idea' we provided so many helpful programs."

Guests learn that Jeffco Action Center programs address issues such as homelessness, hunger, healthcare, and other basic needs in Jefferson County. More specifically, the overarching mission of the Action Center, as Mag puts it, is "to provide an immediate response to basic human needs and to promote pathways to self-sufficiency." They not only provide short-term services to the people they serve, but they also have an eye on the long-term well-being of their clients. They work tirelessly with families to preemptively overcome problems that might otherwise force them onto the streets. "We want to make sure they do not add to the homeless population of Jefferson County." These days, the Action Center's work is becoming better known and respected in the community that "people are now calling us about attending our Point of Entry tours!" However, Jeffco Action Center wasn't always well celebrated.

Back in early 2003, the center's fundraising efforts hit a plateau. They had tapped the sources they knew how to tap in the community, but it wasn't enough. "We realized that we had to increase our funding levels in order to adequately plan for the future," Mag explains. "Then one of our board members suggested we look into the [Benevon] Model." With some research, the Benevon system began to appeal to their fundraising team. "We were looking for a more sincere way to connect with our donors, and the organic, permission-based approach of [Benevon] seemed like a perfect fit for us." The Action Center team made a commitment to the model and attended the Benevon 101 Workshop in San Francisco in September of 2003.

Upon returning to Lakewood from the 101 Workshop, the center's team immediately began hosting successful Point of Entry Events. This first step in the four-step Benevon Model was the easy part for them. "Our favorite exercise at the workshop to a person was the Treasure Map^® exercise," Mag remembers. "It helped us to envision our true wealth, both individually and collectively." In other words, they knew exactly where to get their guests and had very little trouble with attendance. "The word-of-mouth factor has continued to generate interest ever since," Mag adds. The Follow-Up Calls after the tours continued to be fruitful in terms of finding new volunteers, other friends for the organization, and ultimately Table Captains for their Ask Event.

Although the Point of Entry Events and the Follow-Up were going well, the team began to face its main challenge with the model: following it exactly. "We were told that the model would work," Mag recalls, "but we really had to remain vigilant and not succumb to 'suggestions' from others who wanted to 'tweak' the recipe." Instead, they relied on the advice of their coach and the training they received at the 101 Workshop. Mag can now see that "it was because we were true to the model every step of the way that we experienced the promised results." And keeping that lesson firmly in mind, the center's team kept to the suggested formats for Point of Entry Events, Follow-Up Calls, and was truly ready as they headed into their first Ask Event.

In May of 2004, the Board President and Executive Director welcomed 405 guests with short, powerful speeches about the current mission and future direction of Jeffco Action Center. They followed these speeches with, as Mag puts it, a "powerful seven-minute film about the Action Center and its impact on the lives of clients, volunteers, staff, and donors." The film hooked and inspired the audience to be a part of what the center is working toward. They followed the film with testimonials from two former clients who told their stories about "the circumstances that led them to seek our help and the success and self-sufficiency they now have as a result." Every one was moved; even the Pitch Person, a prominent businessman and former board member, was choked up by the time it was his turn to ask the guests for financial support on behalf of the Action Center. All told, the event generated $275,000 in gifts and pledges for the center, but just as importantly, "The model has forged stronger ties with existing donors, volunteers, and staff."

Mag attributes Jeffco Action Center's success to "staying true to the model. This was a huge lesson in faith." However, sticking with the "recipe" wasn't the only great coaching the Action Center received. The rigorous attention to detail demanded of Benevon graduates serves a purpose: "I am so convinced that the success of the Ask Event that morning was the result of the rehearsal done in advance. Experiencing the promised results has been extremely powerful." It is the one main reason Mag quotes to why the Jeffco Action Center team plans to attend the Benevon 201 Workshop. Their experience speaks for itself. "We have always tried to promote ourselves as a grassroots and mission-driven organization, and that's what this model has allowed us to do."

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.