Austin Achieve Public Schools (AAPS) is a tuition- free charter school serving East Austin youth with a mission to prepare all scholars for college success. By 2020, the network had grown to nearly 1,900 students across PreK–12, with an ambitious 3.0 strategic expansion plan and a proven track record of results: strong STAAR performance among returning scholars, a growing waitlist of over 700 students, and year-over-year fundraising success anchored by meaningful board engagement.
Three core needs drove this engagement:
The Chief Advancement Officer was going on leave, creating an immediate gap in day-to-day oversight of the development team and major donor relationships at a critical fundraising period.
Despite strong grassroots fundraising instincts, the team lacked the infrastructure donor management systems, pipeline clarity, gap to goal tracking needed to sustain and grow giving as the school scaled.
AAPS had a bold 3.0 strategic vision growing to 5–6 campuses and over 7,000 students and needed to build a fundraising engine capable of fueling that growth, including new corporate and individual giving channels.
Conducted a comprehensive audit of the advancement team's activities, systems, and donor portfolio. Provided interim management of the development team, advised the CEO on major gift strategy, and began building a grassroots giving campaign strategy.
Continued team management while executing on campaign deliverables. Developed a corporate giving strategy, clarified gap-to- goal processes, and moved the grassroots giving campaign through execution with junior staff support.
Bridged interim management to the incoming Director of Development. Developed a structured onboarding plan, curated professional development resources, and provided weekly advisory check-ins with the CEO through the handoff.
Delivered monthly 1:1 coaching sessions and on-demand support for the new Director of Development, including review of campaigns, deliverables, and strategic guidance to sustain the gains achieved during the engagement.
Stronger Consulting partners with mission-driven organizations to turn complex challenges into clear, practical action — from strategy through implementation.