About GoalBusters

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Our Philosophy

We are very selective with our clients, because we want to work with causes we truly, personally believe in. You can't "fake" sincerity and passion for a cause--if we are going to fundraise for you and help you build capacity for your nonprofit organization, we want to know that you're going to make a difference in the communities you serve.

To GoalBusters, fundraising is not about "shoveling coal into a machine." It has to matter. It comes down to the root of the word philanthropy: it means love of humankind.

The causes that we support with our own philanthropy include public television and radio, higher education, healthcare for the uninsured, under-insured and working poor, Native American causes, early childhood education, performing arts, youth enrichment programs, progressive political causes, basic community social services like food banks and shelters, domestic violence intervention and prevention, and our professional associations. But just because your cause isn't on our list now, doesn't mean it won't be. Maybe it's because we just haven't met you yet.

Because of this philosophy, our vetting process is a two-way street. You, as the client, are learning more about our skills and services, and we, as the consultants, are learning about your mission and your passion for it. So we hope you are really passionate about what you do, so that we can be too! With this philosophy, we have helped raise nearly $9 million for organizations and philanthropic causes, predominantly in rural communities.

*Alice L. Ferris, MBA, CFRE, ACFRE, Founding Partner,* has over twenty years of professional fundraising experience, not including her volunteer start at Wisconsin Public Television, blowing bubbles onto the set during pledge breaks for the Lawrence Welk Show. Alice specializes in strategic and development planning, capital campaign planning studies, board and organizational training, executive leadership coaching, direct mail, and grant proposal creation and editing. Alice is a member of the AFP International Board of Directors and served as 2009-2010 Vice Chair for Membership Services, supporting the Association's efforts for the almost 30,000 member organization with 214 chapters throughout the world. In addition, she is Past President of AFP Northern Arizona and is an AFP Faculty Training Academy graduate. In addition, she is a two-time honoree as AFP-Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. Alice is the 90th fundraising professional in the world to attain the Advanced Certified Fundraising Executive (ACFRE) credential. Alice is recognized for her on-air presence on many public television and radio pledge drives, and on the national PBS fundraisers, among them Timeless—A National Parks Odyssey and Andre Rieu Live in Vienna. Alice also teaches Chinese cooking and an occasional class in ballroom dance. Follow @aliceferris
*James S. Anderson, Partner* has more than 25 years of sales and sales training experience through his positions with local media and national research companies such as Nielsen Media, Simmons and Scarborough Research. Consistently recognized as a top revenue producer ($30 million+), Jim earned "Sales Executive" and "Negotiator of the Year" awards. Jim has an extensive background in media production, and has created projects ranging from training videos for television stations nationwide, to promotional videos for client events. As an instructor at Northern Arizona University, he received superior evaluations from the 500+ students who participated in his "Communications Analysis" and "Sales, Research, Marketing and Promotion" classes. Jim specializes in marketing and branding strategy, social media marketing, multimedia production, sales and sponsorship programs, and board and organizational training. Jim serves as Vice President of external relations for the AFP Northern Arizona Chapter, President of Flagstaff Communicators, and is an AFP Faculty Training Academy graduate. In addition, Jim was honored as the 2010 Association of Fundraising Professionals Northern Arizona Fundraising Professional of the Year. Jim speaks Spanish and is an avid photographer. Follow @jim_anderson1
*Annagreta Jacobson, Foundation and Corporate Grant Specialist,* ventured into fundraising while at St. Olaf College in Minnesota through their senior giving and phone program. After attaining a BA in Psychology and Communications, nonprofit work seemed destined. Living in Seattle for 12 years, Annagreta worked in annual and major gifts for United Way, Swedish Medical Center, Bishop Blanchet High School, and Seattle University. Annagreta was an active member of Northwest Development Officers Association (NDOA) as a mentor, conference organizer, and presenter, and a member the Association for Fundraising Professionals (AFP). While serving the Albers School of Business at Seattle University (SU), Annagreta attained a Masters in Not for Profit Leadership, focusing on best practices and use of the internet for fundraising (it was new back then!). Since moving to Flagstaff, Annagreta has assisted Northern Arizona University with their annual giving program and provided research and grant writing to area nonprofit organizations. For a creative outlet, Annagreta dabbles in home design and holds a Certificate of Computer Assisted Drafting from Coconino Community College. Additionally, Annagreta and her family love to hike, bike, ski, and camp in the great Southwest.
*Paul Lancaster, National Media Sales Representative,* has over 40 years of broadcasting experience, ranging from on-air announcer to general manager. Paul specializes in business-to-business cultivation and sales, multi-platform sales, and advertising copywriting. He has managed accounts for radio, direct mail, print and internet and has worked in markets as wide ranging as Los Angeles, California and on the Navajo Reservation. Paul has been in media sales since 1997.
*LeeDa Miller, Sales and Marketing Assistant,* stumbled into the fundraising world after graduating at the top of her class from Northern Arizona University (NAU) in 2010 with a degree in journalism and a background in public relations and marketing. LeeDa’s journalism career looked promising at NAU as she was very active in school, the university paper and the Golden Key Honor Society. After working as a freelance journalist and acquiring marketing, directing and writing experience at The Lumberjack, LeeDa found herself looking for a more “stable” and appealing opportunity. That is when she found GoalBusters (or they found her) and she realized that nonprofit and fundraising work was rewarding, motivating and a commitment to the community, humanity and herself. LeeDa has co-authored a rhetorical analysis at NAU, writes for MyGrandCanyonParks.com, and is an avid hiker and runner.
Elta Foster, Database Development Specialist, provides support for clients seeking to build their first donor database, rebuild an existing database, or optimize a current database. She also provides client specific training on Raiser's Edge and eTapestry.
Matthew J. Ferris, Junior Ranger, was the inspiration for the start of this company, which was founded while Alice was a stay at home mom, going crazy with a newborn. Matthew has attended meetings for GoalBusters since he was born, and, as was pointed out by Jim at a workshop, is the senior employee. Matthew specializes in helping mom assemble packets for trainings, stuffs envelopes and occasionally assists with workshop registration when school's out. He is in fifth grade and collects National Park Junior Ranger Badges whenever possible.

Affiliations

Association of Fundraising Professionals

Better Business Bureau, Central/Northern Arizona

CFRE International

Service Involvement

Association of Fundraising Professionals

Flagstaff Communicators

Eight/Arizona PBS

KUAT/Arizona Public Media

Flagstaff Cooperative Preschool

United Way of Northern Arizona

Attachments (2)

AliceProfile_112010.pdf - on Nov 25, 2010 9:39 PM by Alice Ferris (version 1)
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JimProfile_112010.pdf - on Nov 29, 2010 2:47 PM by Alice Ferris (version 1)
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