Success Stories

The Excel Institute

Our Challenge:
Founded in 1997 by former Washington Redskin George Starke, and John Lyon, former CEO of Parking Management Inc, The Excel Institute (Excel) is a Washington, D.C. based 501(c)(3) licensed post secondary educational institution. Excel’s mission is to provide a center of excellence for the development of job skills, career and technical education to those who seek a better life.  Since 1997, Excel has relied heavily on federal and city grants and in 2008 realized the need to diversify their revenue streams.  Excel engaged with OAI in October of 2008 to conduct a development audit and craft a development plan in order to help determine the best set of feasible and realistic additional funding options.

Our Solution:
After 60 days of in-depth assessment and analysis of Excel’s organizational structure and development efforts, OAI produced a one year and five year Development Plan for Excel that recommended several options for new or increased revenue. Within the plan, OAI forecasted objectives, revenue goals and timelines, with a strategic focus placed on Board development, individual, corporate, foundation and event fundraising.

The Results:
On January 15, 2009, OAI delivered to the Excel senior staff and Board of Trustees a comprehensive and executable one year and five year Development Plan, inclusive of categorical fundraising goals, timelines, a yearlong work plan and budget for immediate implementation.  Throughout the creation of the Development Plan process, Excel recognized the immediate impact OAI could have on their everyday fundraising efforts and hired OAI on February 17, 2009 to implement the Development Plan and serve as their outsourced development office.