You my friend are AWESOME! Thank you so much for your advice. Keep on writing ... your books have helped me tremendously and I owe a lot of my improvements to things I've learned from you. -- Michelle Sanders Brinson, Nashville Rescue Mission 

Scope

Our projects range in scale from multimillion-dollar capital campaigns with many moving parts ... to multi-year communications planning for local charities ... to helping a grassroots coalition make a compelling case. We like to work with unstoppable organizations, ambitious people, and outrageous goals. Your organization's budget size is not initially a consideration. If you want to be the best, let's talk. Client list.

"How would you describe yourself?"

We're realists. Or, more accurately, realistic idealists. You set a goal related to your mission or vision. We'll create the communications that help you reach that goal. And we don't mince words. We're very much about results.

Are we right for you?

All AhernComm clients share three characteristics: (1) they have a worthy mission or vision; (2) they're action-oriented; and (3) they need to make a strong case to meet their highly specific goals (which are typically fundraising goals, but might also be such things as getting legislation passed or changing public opinion). There are about 1.5 million nonprofits in America; I work with 30-40 a year, from a nationwide base. They aren't all big. They are all fun, fascinating, and effective; except for so-and-so, but at least he paid his bill (finally). Shameless bio.

Are we expensive?

We prefer to call our fees "cost-effective," and we're not trying to be cute. In fundraising and advocacy communications, mostly you get what you pay for. The best practitioners know a lot about applied psychology, for instance. Trying to raise millions or get legislation approved: the messaging necessary to reach goals that lofty is work for highly trained specialists.

Tom Ahern is the author of four well-regarded books on fundraising communications, with a fifth on the way. He is in demand as a communications trainer, traveling internationally to present his workshops. He is an award-winning magazine journalist (which means he knows how to tell a story).

And he gets results. His work has won three prestigious Gold Quill awards, given annually to communications programs judged to be among the most effective in the world. He's written numerous cases for successful campaigns, totaling more than $1.5 billion (B as in Boy) in goals.



Biggest single check a client has ever sent. I'm wearing our special "Wow, that's a six-digit check" hat.

Are we fast?

We're deliberate. Most capital campaign cases, for instance, take six months to complete, given the predictable delays and approvals. Since we're a micro-shop, juggling a dozen large projects at any one time, we're not really built for quick turn-arounds. If you need it next week, we wish you the best of luck with your search. Annually, we serve about 35 different nonprofits, most of them located outside our base in Rhode Island.

Our basic services

~ WE WRITE ... powerful, persuasive communications that help you raise more money and improve donor retention.

~ WE AUDIT ... your current "donor-comm" program through expert eyes and recommend detailed changes that can boost giving and loyalty.

~ WE TRAIN ... you to do everything we know how to do, via books, workshops, and this website.

Who is this "we"?

I work with lovely collaborators: great designers, wonderful writers, extraordinary strategists, enviable leaders, clients to die for. It's a love-fest. You're invited.