Testimonials
“The research at Mass. Eye and Ear is a game changer in finding future cures for blindness and deafness. We needed to accelerate our fundraising program to make sure our world-class scientists have the philanthropic resources required to continue their discoveries. Susan has provided the counsel our entire team, and I, needed to create a high performing fundraising program. With her guidance, we have set audacious goals and are achieving fantastic results that exceed our expectations.”
Wyc Grousbeck, Chairman Emeritus of the Board, Mass. Eye and Ear and Managing Partner, Governor and CEO of the Boston Celtics
“I had the pleasure of recently attending the “Be Bold Better: What it takes to create transformation gifts” workshop led by two consummate professionals, Susan Holt and Christy Passmore. What an excellent workshop that offered new knowledge and skill development for all members of the nonprofit development community—CEO, new and seasoned development professional, and board members. Thanks to Susan and Christy’s great communication skills and real-life experiences, the participants learned new content and concepts, and used assessment tools to identify opportunities for their organization. Adding great discussion and role play, the participates left the session with a clear path tailored to take their organization to the next level in philanthropy. As a seasoned professional myself, I came away invigorated and ready to build my organization’s ability to Be Bold Better!”
Beth Boord, former Chief Development Officer, YWCA Nashville, and Executive Adviser
Christy came alongside me very early in my journey as a donor and volunteer. As a professional with deep experience in the for-profit world, I was an inexperienced donor and one who would never have desired nor dreamed that I would "up my game" in the non-profit sector as a donor, volunteer, board member, and currently - campaign chair and Board President. It was Christy's wise counsel and bold encouragement along the way that prompted and helped equip me to give and serve in ways that reflect my passions and belief in the impactful work of our organization.
Ann Bradshaw, President
The Chi Omega Foundation“The Bold Asking workshop presented to our board was a wonderful interactive learning opportunity for everyone. There is a true art and science to this process and Susan was successful in communicating both aspects clearly. I loved the planning questions and how logical it was once we understood what type of call we were going on. Of course this is very new to all of us, but with a little practice I have no doubt we will be successful. Thank you again!”
Kelly Roy Meyers, the former UWWC Board Chair
“When we began our fundraising campaign, most of us were well-intentioned but new to the art of sharing our story and in making “the ask” in our conversation with our friends, family and others regarding our campaign and the new Children's Hospital. The passion and the belief in our project was there, but the knowledge and skill of how to say what needed to be said to engage our prospects was something that we needed help with. With coaching in the “art of Bold Asking”, we became comfortable and most importantly confident in the fundraising process and learned thoughtful and effective tools which helped us convey excitement about our project and master the art of "The Ask”. We experienced great success as a result and even enjoy being involved in the campaign!"
James R Parker, CFP®, CRPC®, Vice President and Financial Advisor, Morgan Stanley and Foundation Board Member, Williamson Medical Center
“VPG’s art of Bold Asking was the focus of a wonderful retreat with our board and development leadership attending. The presentations and interactive discussions gave us confidence in understanding how and when to effectively share our story with community leaders who could support BrightStone. It was a game-changer to learn how to build relationships that could lead to transformational giving versus transactional giving. With her guidance, we have already experienced record philanthropic investments from both current and new donors. Susan's counsel is an investment worth making.
-Randy Elliott, Director of Advancement, BrightStone, Inc.
“I had the pleasure of working closely with Christy Passmore during Vanderbilt University’s successful Shape the Future campaign. Serving in a talent management role for Development and Alumni Relations, I was new to higher education and advancement. Thankfully, Christy served as a mentor—helping me connect the dots across campus and understand that each person within the organization contributed to the success of a comprehensive university and medical center campaign. She has a knack for identifying and developing talent. That, coupled with her volunteer management expertise and track record in major giving, is a remarkable combination.”
Heather M. Marabeti, Associate Vice Chancellor, Development and Alumni Relations, Vanderbilt University
“Vision Philanthropy Group has provided us with critical expert consultation ranging from guidance in overall philanthropic strategic planning to individual coaching around the process of donor solicitation. In addition to being a genuine pleasure to work with, the quality of their services are unparalleled and reflect an unwavering commitment to nothing less than excellence in achieving an organization’s fundraising potential.”
April D. Bragg, Ph.D., Former System Director of Grants, the former Mission Healthcare Foundation
“Susan worked closely with me as we built our first philanthropy program for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Her trusted counsel to me as a leader and physician-scientist was invaluable as I was learning my way around the fundraising world. With her support, I was able to become comfortable and effective in telling our stories to donors and raising the private resources needed to help make our programs preeminent.”
Harold L. Moses, M.D., Emeritus Ingram Professor of Cancer Research, Director Emeritus, Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center
Little did I know when I made a solicitation call on Christy in 2009 our connection would extend beyond that. But it did as colleagues and friends. She made visits easy, fun, and comfortable. She modeled the kind of development professional I aspire to be. She is a natural at teaching and coaching because she believes 100% in the power of philanthropy.
Sarah Hamilton Vogel, Director of Development, Chi Omega Foundation
“Susan’s expertise in knowing how to tell a cause’s story and understanding what makes donors tick helped us create the partnerships with donors we needed at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center to transform cancer research and care. Her insight and work with our Board of Overseers was critical to not only reaching but exceeding our campaign goals.”
Orrin Ingram, CEO, Ingram Industries and Chairman, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center Board of Overseers
“Susan breaks through the uncertainty and intimidation of asking for philanthropic contributions. In our training, she provided clear, straightforward advice and specific language to empower our board and staff. Susan laid out a framework, but also provided room to tailor the conversation to fit each person’s individual style. Within the first thirty minutes of our training, I went from feeling awkward about asking for contributions to our non-profit organization to being confident about telling our story and excited to share my passion. I highly recommend VPG’s “Bold Asking” coaching to anyone involved in development as a board member, fundraiser, or non-profit professional.”
Suzannah Gill, Esq., Our House, Board member
“Christy is a breath of fresh air who uses her fundraising expertise to empower you as a professional while reminding you to have fun! In my decade of working in nonprofit development, I’ve never had a mentor inspire me, coach me, and validate me as Christy has. She is incredibly hard-working, honest in her feedback and observations, and has given me the confidence to be bolder and think bigger as a major gifts officer. If I could change anything over my career, it would be to have started working with Christy sooner…because she is someone who will enhance your professional work while adding value to your personal life with her sincere desire to build relationships and connect people in meaningful ways. Christy will challenge you in creative and strategic ways to take your knowledge and fundraising success to a whole new level!”
Anna Wegelin, Director of Development
Chi Omega Foundation“Susan’s sage advice, insightful tips and fun and realistic role play has built our team’s comfort and confidence from the first visit in the hospital to accelerating the evolution of our organization’s culture of philanthropy. Her coaching and toolkits provide insightful advice and a strategic framework for our experienced fundraisers to make visits with patients and families both comfortable and productive. From the Philanthropy Staff to the CEO, we have crafted consistent, effective signature language and put our integrated program into action.”
Stephanie Truesdell, former Vice President, Philanthropy and Communications, Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital - Milton
“Engaging board members in fundraising can be one of most challenging tasks for any fundraising professional. Not because boards don’t want to be of help, but because they don’t feel equipped. The Bold Asking training provided precisely what our board members need to feel armed to make partner with the staff in the bold ask. The training was customized for our organization and our board. Everyone left the training feeling prepared to use their signature language to help secure the funding we need to advance our mission. I highly recommend the training for both new and experienced board members and development teams.”
Diane Douglass, VP, Development, Our House
“With Susan’s guidance, Mass. Eye and Ear launched an ambitious Capital Campaign. We achieved record breaking success! Susan is a master at Capital Campaigns – she helps guide us through everything from big picture strategy to individual donor tactics. With her help we now have the team, structure, and plan to push forward a very successful campaign.”
Melissa Paul, Chief Development Officer, Massachusetts Eye and Ear
“We recently made our first foray into the world of a capital campaign to raise funds for a major multimillion dollar building project. I cannot imagine embarking on this project without the guidance of Vision Philanthropy Group. We have thrown things at Susan and Jane, such as an accelerated timetable, and they have not flinched. They adapted to our schedule and moved full speed ahead. Also, being inexperienced fundraisers we asked for coaching in the ‘Art of Bold Asking.’ With that coaching they have given us the tools and the language we need to craft successful conversations with our prospects and donors. I now have the confidence I need to be a comfortable and effective ‘asker’ for our historic campaign.”
Starling C. Evins, MD, FACS Past Chief Medical Officer, Williamson Medical Center
“Thank you, Vision Philanthropy Group, for sharing your knowledge and skills with the United Way of Williamson County’s Board of Directors, CEO, Major and Planned Giving Staff and Task Force! The investment in your workshop was critical in helping us launch our Endowment Campaign. Thanks to VPG’s leadership and guidance, we are better equipped to have a successful Endowment Campaign. The Bold Asking Workshop and subsequent Lunch ‘n Learn, were instrumental in preparing our Board and staff to build relationships and make the “bold” ask. In addition, it provided each of us with critical prep work, tips and talking points that are necessary even before making the first call. We made a wise investment when we collaborated with Vision Philanthropy.”
Pam Bryant, former President and CEO, United Way of Williamson County
“Susan Holt successfully transformed the Development Committee at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. Having observed her training and supervision, I did not hesitate to recommend her talent to Partners in Health.”
Diane E. Kaneb, Mass. Eye and Ear former Board Chair
“For Partners in Health, VPG produced an extraordinary perceptive overview of development history, shortcomings and opportunities of an extremely complex organization. The best analysis I have seen in my 40 years of engagement in philanthropy.”
Al Kaneb, Partners in Health Board Member
“Susan worked closely with me as we built our first philanthropy program for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Her trusted counsel to me as a leader and physician-scientist was invaluable as I was learning my way around the fundraising world. With her support, I was able to become comfortable and effective in telling our stories to donors and raising the private resources needed to help make our programs preeminent.”
Harold L. Moses, M.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research Director Emeritus, Vanderbilt-Ingram Comprehensive Cancer Center
Contact us
Susan Holt, President and Senior Consultant
401 Bowling Avenue Unit 1
Nashville, TN 37205
615-423-0675
susan@visionphilanthropy.com
Christy Passmore, Senior Advisor
