The Achieve Founders, from left to right, are Derrick Feldmann, Ted Grossnickle and Dave Sternberg.

Press Release

INDIANAPOLIS – Three veterans of the nonprofit world are joining forces to put the expert advice, resources and tools typically available only to larger philanthropic organizations within reach for smaller nonprofits.

Ted Grossnickle, Derrick Feldmann and Dave Sternberg have launched Achieve LLC, a national consulting firm serving small to medium-sized nonprofit organizations.

"Many smaller nonprofits could be more successful if they had access to outside guidance, reliable data or other tools, but they simply can't afford it," said Grossnickle, who will serve as Achieve's chairman in addition to continuing as chairman and CEO of the Indianapolis philanthropy consultancy Johnson Grossnickle and Associates (JGA). "Our model will allow them to get the support they need within their budgets."

Achieve will offer expert advice online and in person. Various options offer limited and expanded access to Achieve's Web site (www.achieveguidance.com), which includes a resource library and Webinars. Custom services are designed for clients' needs and may include custom Webinars, or time with Achieve partners or consultants for on-site training, strategic planning, retreat facilitation and/or site visits to assess organizational challenges and to create action plans.

All Achieve clients receive a free subscription to Achieve's monthly newsletter; a free subscription to BoardSource, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to nonprofit board governance; and other benefits and services.

"We are providing the services nonprofits need to do what they do better," said Feldmann, Achieve's CEO. "As a result, we feel strongly that Achieve will not only help nonprofit organizations, but, ultimately, help the people those nonprofits serve."

Achieve experts – including its three founders as well as outside professionals – will be available for on-site training or consulting services. In addition to Grossnickle, Feldmann and Sternberg, Achieve consultants include:

• Don Johnson, Don Johnson and Associates, Waldoboro, Maine

• Tom King, president of Thomas A. King Consulting and former president of the Eli Lilly and Company Foundation, Indianapolis

• Chuck Loring, senior partner at Loring, Sternberg & Associates, Indianapolis and Fort Lauderdale

Gene Tempel, who is leaving the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University to become president of the IU Foundation on Sept. 1, will serve on Achieve's advisory board.

Tempel said, "Research done through the Center on Philanthropy and other organizations illustrates the large number of small nonprofits with limited resources. Achieve will provide them access to high-level expertise at an affordable price. The Center looks forward to the potential of collaborating with Achieve in assisting the nation's small nonprofit organizations."

Joining Tempel on the advisory board is Mike Alley, chairman of Patriot Investments and former president and CEO of Fifth Third Bank.

Sternberg, Achieve's vice president, said, "In my work teaching nonprofit executives, I've seen firsthand how valuable it could be to have a repository of tools available 24/7, in one place, at one time. The resource library is just that. It offers sample annual fund plans, job descriptions, corporate solicitations and more that development directors can use as templates and customize for their own use."

The firm's founders are well-known in the Central Indiana philanthropic and fundraising communities.

In his 33 years in philanthropy, Grossnickle has served in a variety of capacities. He spent many years in higher education development before co-founding Johnson Grossnickle and Associates in 1994. He served for a decade as Vice President of Development and Public Affairs at Franklin College, where he also served as Acting President. In addition to helping to lead Achieve and serve its clients, Grossnickle will continue in his role as chairman and CEO of JGA.

Achieve CEO Feldmann has worked with nonprofit organizations to develop fundraising programs, provide strategic leadership and build business development strategies since 2001. He previously managed major fundraising programs for The LEAGUE, a national youth service organization, and also has led fundraising operations for Learning to Give as well as worked with organizations in the South Korea, Japan and Bermuda.

Achieve Vice President Sternberg is a 17-year veteran of the nonprofit industry and a member of the faculty at The Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University’s Fund Raising School. A founding member of Loring, Sternberg and Associates, a nonprofit and fundraising management consulting firm, Sternberg has led, developed and consulted with development efforts for several nonprofit organizations in Central Indiana. His recent book, "Fearless Fundraising for Nonprofit Boards," was published by BoardSource.

Achieve's offices are downtown at 233 McCrea Street, Suite 200, Indianapolis, IN 46225.

Source: Achieve