Case Studies
Our team supports over 30 mission-driven organizations nationwide with hands-on fundraising support. Here are a few of their success stories.
Cristo Rey Brooklyn
BACKGROUND
Cristo Rey Brooklyn is a Catholic high school partnering with families of financial need to educate young people to become men and women of faith, purpose and service. CRB's rigorous curriculum, unique work-study experience, and supportive community empower students for success in college and beyond. Danielle DiCerbo, DMD Consulting Principal, previously served as CRB's Development Director. In 2020, during a time of transition, CRB engaged DMD Consulting to take over grant writing. The original three-month engagement has become a long-term partnership.
SUCCESS
In the 2025-26 fiscal year, DMD secured $1,616,000 across 19 grants for Cristo Rey Brooklyn, including a competitive three-year, $600,000 Advancing Excellence grant from the Cristo Rey Network. That single year surpassed the $1,250,500 DMD secured for CRB across the previous two years combined, bringing the three-year total to $2,866,500. CRB was one of just three schools selected for this new program, which invests in schools poised for transformation. The grant will launch InsureFutures: Underwriting our Future, a structured education-to-employment pathway into insurance and risk management. The program expands Corporate Work Study training, adds a workforce development partnership with Schools That Can, and gives seniors the chance to earn college credit through a dual-credit Risk Management 101 course with St. John's University's Greenberg School, opening doors to priority admission, scholarships, and mentoring.
Raised $2,866,500 from grants
over three years
2,035% return
on their investment in FY26
Earned $600,000 Advancing Excellence Grant from the
Cristo Rey Network
"DMD Consulting continues to play a big role in Cristo Rey Brooklyn's fundraising success. They have helped us not only meet, but reimagine our fundraising goals in ways that would not be possible without their support. In addition, I have found them to be great thought partners who stand shoulder to shoulder with us in this work, helping to make our mission stronger for the students and families we serve. I recommend them highly!"
Brian Daley, Director of Advancement
Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School
The Mercy House
BACKGROUND
The Mercy House, a ministry of the Archdiocese of Newark, serves and shelters some of New Jersey's most vulnerable communities. Mercy House offers a welcoming space for individuals and families in need and provides emotional support and healing in a comfortable, faith-filled environment. Over the course of three years, the partnership between DMD Consulting and Mercy House evolved into a deeply rooted collaboration. DMD manages the full grant cycle from research and grant writing to reporting and renewals.
SUCCESS
DMD Consulting established a comprehensive grants infrastructure for Mercy House. Through in-depth research and innovative storytelling, the partnership has raised over $300,000 in its first three years, including $141,000 in the 2025-26 fiscal year alone. Strong stewardship keeps funders coming back: 68% of FY26 grant funding came from renewing funders and 32% came from new foundations as we continue to grow their portfolio. Initially motivated by much-needed facility improvements, including a new air conditioning system, grant awards from 15 funders now support general operations, programming, and additional capital improvements. This new funding stream has enabled Mercy House to allocate more resources to their primary mission: to support individuals and families in need.
$301,000 in grant funding secured in the last three years
Built their grant program from the ground up, now providing predictable funding support
Adding approximately 20% to their annual operating budget
“For three years, I have been grateful for the meaningful work DMD has done to support Mercy House. DMD isn't just a professional partner — their consultants truly get our mission. Their passion for our shared values comes through in every grant proposal and every funder conversation. By taking ownership of our grants program and donor stewardship, DMD has freed me and my staff to focus on what matters most: walking alongside the people we serve.”
Cheryl Riley, Director
Mercy House
Cristo Rey Boston
BACKGROUND
Cristo Rey Boston is a Catholic high school educating low-income students from underserved communities to become men and women of faith, purpose, and service. At Cristo Rey Boston, students take charge of their education, develop real-world skills, and build a foundation for lifelong success. The President and Development team at Cristo Rey Boston partnered with DMD Consulting to enhance their strategic fundraising planning, increase revenue from grants, and identify and attract new donors. Our ongoing partnership includes executive coaching and strategic planning.
SUCCESS
In it’s second year, DMD's partnership with Cristo Rey Boston has continued to grow, in FY26, together we secured $1,524,550 across 26 grants, more than triple the amount secured over the previous two years combined. The total includes a $750,000, ten-year award from the Cummings Foundation. Because the grant is fully unrestricted, it gives the school flexible, long-term support to remove barriers and expand opportunities for its students. DMD also secured a three-year, $195,000 challenge grant from the Johnson Scholarship Foundation that expands Cristo Rey Boston's College Counseling Program through its Pre-College Summer Scholars, Touring Scholars, and Visiting Scholars initiatives, increasing college access and success.
Awarded $1,524,550 in
grants in FY26
340% return on their investment
in DMD services in FY26
More than tripling their grant revenue from the previous
two years combined
"Because of DMD Consulting’s expertise and strategic planning support, we improved and refined our fundraising approach and met our aggressive fundraising goals -- and our partnership with DMD for grant writing has resulted in a more than 50% increase in our grant revenue on a year-over-year basis. DMD’s expertise in Cristo Rey and Catholic schools proved invaluable to our success. Our investment in DMD has more than paid for itself. DMD’s fresh perspective has helped Cristo Rey Boston to refine and professionalize our development efforts, increase grant revenue, and attract and sustain donors."
Rosemary Powers, President
Cristo Rey Boston High School
Providence Cristo Rey High School
BACKGROUND
Providence Cristo Rey High School partners with families across the Indianapolis community to provide a transformational Catholic education rooted in faith and work-study experience. What began as a focused grant writing engagement has grown into a trusted, embedded role on the school's team. Our hands-on end-to-end grant management approach includes grant writing, research, relationship management, reporting, and renewal. This deep partnership enables them to, in the words of Fr. John Foley, founder of the Cristo Rey Network, "have faith in a dream so ambitious as to border on the delusional and maintain a healthy disregard for conventional thinking."
SUCCESS
This year, DMD helped secure $7,043,850 across 19 grants for Providence Cristo Rey, including an incredible $6,000,000 award from Lilly Endowment Inc.'s Marion County K-12 Schools Initiative, the largest single grant in the school's history, secured through a competitive, phased process that requires extensive reporting and outcome tracking. The grant will strengthen programs that address the non-academic barriers to student success, including transportation, food insecurity, and other critical supports. Robust, full-cycle grant management resulted in twelve new awards, including the school's first-ever government grant through IDHS, and four foundations renewing at higher giving levels. Our ongoing engagement has maintained foundational relationships through management transitions and positioned the school to benefit from high-value grant awards.
$7,043,850 awarded
across 19 grants
Including a $6 million award from the Lilly Endowment fund
Full 360-degree grand cycle management including research, writing,reporting, and renewal
“Need Testimonial Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.”
Tyler Mayer, President/CEO
Providence Cristo Rey High School
The Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and St. Stephen of Hungary
BACKGROUND
The Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and St. Stephen of Hungary engaged DMD to undertake a once-in-a-generation capital campaign. With their 150th anniversary approaching and a critical need to replace the roof and renovate the parish hall, DMD and the parish community launched Together on Holy Ground. DMD managed every dimension of the campaign, from data management, gift processing, and donor acknowledgment to post-mass events and formal receptions, volunteer coordination, and speaker preparation for pulpit appeals. Parish committees propelled the campaign by sharing their reasons for giving during mass, volunteering at receptions, and bringing their networks into the campaign. Father Baker and Jen DiSpirito, the parish's business manager, provided strong leadership that was essential to the campaign's success.
SUCCESS
The campaign exceeded its $3,000,000 goal, raising $3,275,000 from 250 donors in under one year. This was a true community-fueled campaign: a dedicated committee drove 50% parish participation, 2x greater than the average for similar campaigns, and the parish received its single largest gift on record, a real testament to the trust built through community involvement and true stewardship. The results went beyond building improvements to building community. Post-campaign, Mass attendance and offertory have increased, and the finance council has welcomed new members, proving that when a community is invested, they will invest in the community.
$3,275,000 raised for capital improvelments in under 1 year
250+ donor households gave
during the campaign
Average campaign gift
size of $13,000
"As a priest of over 30 years, I have run several capital campaigns. Never have I worked with a group like DMD. They have been a game changer for our parish and school. Their team brings not only professionalism and creativity, but a deep commitment to our mission and to the success of the campaign. They are fast, responsive, organized and always a few steps ahead. With our parish, they’ve helped us confidently navigate a multi-million dollar campaign; with our school, they’ve laid the groundwork for a sustainable, mission-driven fundraising program. DMD is not your typical consulting firm—they are true partners in the work, and it shows."
Rev. Donald Baker, Pastor
Roman Catholic Parish of St. Monica, St. Elizabeth of Hungary, and St. Stephen of Hungary
Maryknoll Sisters
BACKGROUND
Known far and wide for their great work providing education, healthcare, spiritual support, and hope to communities across the globe, the Maryknoll sisters have long relied on a high-volume of modest donations from direct mail appeals. They approached DMD to modernize their fundraising efforts. We delivered a forward-thinking development strategy for major donor solicitation, cultivation, and stewardship, along with training on industry standards, major gift protocols, solicitation techniques, and strategies. The objective is to build a donor ecosystem of annual giving, major gifts and gala cultivation, supported by consistent stewardship.
SUCCESS
Upon the completion of the planning phase, The Maryknoll Sisters retained DMD to conduct their first-ever campaign feasibility study. Backed by the governance council and Bill Ford, extensive focus groups and surveys were designed to test appetite and build consensus across the organization before committing to a campaign. Completed in early 2026, the study, along with the development strategy will be the foundation for a $25 million campaign supporting three priorities: Mother House renovations in Ossining, New York; a new formation and recruitment center in the Philippines; and global mission work. DMD will support the Sisters with complete end-to-end campaign management and ongoing development training.
$25 million campaign launched,
the largest in their history
An expansive feasibility study built confidence and internal consensus to support the campaign
A strategic development plan and sustainable donor ecosystem
“Need Testimonial Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.”
Sister Teresa Hougnon, President
Maryknoll Sisters
Dominican Academy
BACKGROUND
Dominican Academy is a competitive all-girls school in the heart of Manhattan. Their team engaged DMD Consulting for interim development support to shepherd the school through a leadership transition. In partnership, we embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process, starting with a comprehensive Advancement Appraisal, moving on to focus group and survey facilitation, reaching nearly 400 constituents. This valuable guidance was used to build a strategic development plan that reflects the voice of the wider school community. We are currently supporting their executive search for a new Director of Development to lead Dominican Academy into this next chapter.
SUCCESS
Our partnership, along with thoughtful management and strategic improvements, led to a revenue increase across every fundraising activation in the past year. Dominican Academy's Annual Fund grew by $83,000, and Giving Tuesday revenue reached $52,000 against a $30,000 goal. Gala revenue grew to $304,000, including a 25% increase in paddle raise proceeds to $90,000 while cutting expenses by $12,000 with new venue and vendor agreements. Our strategic plan was successfully adopted by the Board in June and includes a step-by-step implementation guide for their new Director of Development.
$83,000 increase in annual fund revenue, year over year
Engaged nearly 400 constituents
through focus groups and surveys
Raised 173% of their Giving Tuesday
goal, bringing in $52,000
"Collaboration and professionalism are at the heart of Dominican Academy’s relationship with DMD Consulting. In the midst of an unexpected leadership transition on our development team, DMD provided steady support, helping mature our major gifts program, annual giving, and alumnae relations. Our DMD consultants encouraged creativity and helped us articulate the strengths of both our school and our team – while crafting a strategic roadmap to ensure strong fundraising returns for our school community."
Alexandria Egler PhD, President
Dominican Academy
St. Stephen of Hungary School
BACKGROUND
St. Stephen of Hungary School came to DMD Consulting for interim development support through a pivotal transition. Historically, St Stephen’s fundraising efforts were managed by a separate, parent-led foundation that supported the school with selective grant awards. With urgent and necessary facilities improvements at hand, DMD stepped in as the interim Director of Development, built a streamlined in-house fundraising organization, and launched the Century Campaign to fund the improvements already underway. Throughout the transition and campaign, we supported Allyson Genova-Hall, the school’s beloved principal, with hands-on coaching sessions, providing her with the knowledge and necessary skills to lead the school’s fundraising and hire a permanent Director of Development.
SUCCESS
DMD helped launch a professionalized fundraising program with consistent branding, storytelling, and a clear calendar of appeals, including a school-wide November Challenge in conjunction with The Century Campaign to fund necessary facility and Accessibility improvements. The campaign successfully established a new community of donors who fully funded the school’s portion of $3.41M in necessary improvements. The annual fund raised $100,000 and special event giving brought in another $450,000, both of which started from scratch. Parent and alumni participation also grew. Classroom incentives drove participation, with three grades reaching 100% donor participation. With a professionalized fundraising operation and a track record of success, Saint Stephen of Hungary School is ready for its next chapter.
Raised just under $1 million, funding capital improvements
$450,000 raised across annual fund and special events
100% donor participation from
3 grades in November Challenge
“Need Testimonial Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.”
Allyson Genova-Hall, Principal
St. Stephen of Hungary School