Earth University Costa Rica
EARTH University was started with two large grants from the Kellogg Foundation and the USAID to create an innovative, undergraduate university focused on sustainable food systems for the world.
They formed the organization in Costa Rica, initially focusing on Central and South America, and later reached out to Africa and other parts of Asia.
Our Involvement
Executive Coaching to President of the University and Board Chairs on Major-Gift Fundraising
Design of Internal Fundraising Systems Including the U.S.-Based Foundation
Design and Assistance with Implementation of a Large Capital Campaign
Executive Search for the CEO of the U.S. Foundation
Our Role
5-Year Engagement
While the President and the institution’s three international boards had seed funding, they did not have the knowledge or infrastructure to create a sustainable fundraising system. Furthermore, they did not yet have an alumni base or “built in constituency” of donors. The NPL team helped them raise over $50 million in an efficient manner, leveraging new global networks in addition to their own. We then helped them to bring all ongoing major-gift fundraising in house and assisted with the hiring of executive staff to do so.
In the process, NPL identified and helped secure two mega donors: one at $19 million and one at $5 million from our own network. While this was not our core value to the project, these gifts certainly added to the campaign success.
Let’s create an impact together.
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