Testimonials
We believe the most accurate indication of the value of a firm’s professional services is the enthusiastic recommendation of their clients.
We asked a sampling of our clients, leading philanthropists, board members, business leaders, and staff, to comment on our effectiveness.
WORKFLŌ CONSULTING, LLC.
"I had the pleasure of serving with Chris Strong on the Board of Directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals - Northern New England Chapter from 2012-2016. Chris and I worked closely together on many projects, including planning the Chapter’s Annual Conference. I was (and still am) consistently impressed by Chris’s ability to anticipate needs, galvanize Board members and volunteers to take action, and meaningfully recognize all those involved."
Heidi Pettigrew
Workflō Consulting, LLC.
GREAT WATERS MUSIC FESTIVAL
"There are times when an executive director needs an objective sounding board to get clarity. Chris’ sensitivity to that need, and her professionalism, offered a trusted confidential ear and sound advice."
Cheryll Andrews
Former Executive Director
Great Waters Music Festival
AMERICAN RED CROSS
“We received exceptional support from Strong Resource Group as we launched a new leadership program for our volunteers last year. We have been very happy with the results of the program and the students and instructors that participated really benefited from the effective facilitation and coordination provided by Christine Strong. It was a pleasure working with Chris throughout the program. Her creativity and flexibility really helped us to develop and deliver a quality program, which we intend to offer as a unique benefit to volunteers and staff in years to come.”
Helen Long
Regional Volunteer
Services Officer
GREAT BAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
“Chris has served as an advisor to Great Bay Community College for years. She brings a lot of expertise in the areas of strategic planning, marketing and fundraising. Chris brings excellence and creativity to her projects and is a wonderful listener and supporter. Confidentiality and integrity are values that Chris brings to her work. Chris has always added value to our organization.”
Will Arvelo
Director
State of New Hampshire Division of Economic Development
SEACOAST FAMILY PROMISE
“Chris is the best example of a fundraising consultant that I have seen in my twenty plus years of non-profit administration. Her ability to keep the focus and vision of our capital campaign was amazing and we could not have completed the process without her.”
Pati Frew-Waters
Executive Director
Seacoast Family Promise
UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
“Chris has the unique ability to comprehensively assess complex situations, develop and facilitate solutions, and engage people with diverse backgrounds and opinions. Chris has been recognized by her peers for her leadership, facilitation of complex situations, and strong people-management skills.”
Christopher D. Clement, Sr.
Vice President, Finance and Administration
POWER DIRECT MARKETING & POWER DIRECT ENERGY
“Chris is an outstanding leader with excellent interpersonal skills. She has established an excellent track record of developing and executing strategic business plans that achieve client objectives. I recommend her as a service provider who can deliver great results.”
Stuart Hayden
Owner & Chief Operating Officer
PowerDirect Marketing & PowerDirect Energy
HUGGINS HOSPITAL
“Chris did an excellent job creating a philanthropy program at Huggins Hospital where one did not previously exist. Simultaneously she orchestrated a multi-million dollar fundraising for our new hospital building. Thank you, Chris, for a job well done.”
Dr. Michael Marsh
Huggins Hospital
WENTWORTH-DOUGLASS HOSPITAL
“Chris is an effective leader who encourages all members of her team to participate in setting goals and creating a work plan to achieve those goals. Strategy is one of her greatest strengths. She has the ability to motivate staff to go above and beyond by creating a cohesive team environment that enables individuals to be the best they can be!”
Emily Moore
Gift and Donor Relations Officer
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital
MAINE AUDUBON
“Chris provided great service to us at ECCF as we considered our brand, the strategic direction of our Essex County Forum, and advice on raising money to support our work. She has always been very professional, well prepared, and Chris brings a wealth of fundraising, planning and marketing experience to her clients. Chris seems to genuinely enjoy the hard work of fundraising because she approaches the job as a means to accomplish the inspiring of the mission of an organization. And I always like comparing notes with her about skiing, traveling, and other non-business matters!”
Alexander Buck
President, Horizon Foundation, Inc.
& Chair, Maine Audubon
PORTSMOUTH PUBLIC LIBRARY
“Chris's knowledge of the fundraising process and her attention to our mission and our particular needs were crucial in our successful fundraising effort. Our whole team worked comfortably with her.”
Mary Ann List
Former Director
Portsmouth Library
GROWING PLACES
“Chris’ work with the staff and board of Growing Places came at a time of significant growth for our agency. Chris was instrumental in the development of our first strategic plan, which became a valuable working document informing staff and board work plans. Chris provided board training and helped clarify board and staff roles, which helped propel Growing Places into a strong phase of growth. On behalf of Growing Places, Chris conducted a feasibility study and subsequently provided campaign counsel for our first capital campaign. Her counsel was vital for this campaign experience. Her training and feedback was always direct, detail and action oriented, which contributed immeasurably to our overall success.”
Cellissa Hoyt
State Director
State Early Learning Alliance (SELA) and Vroom and Mind in the Making
ANNA JACQUES HOSPITAL
“Chris' knowledge of fundraising and deep experience with donors In healthcare, arts and education make her a great choice as a strategic fundraising consultant.”
Sarah Gnerre
Vice President of Philanthropy
Five Maples
TUFTS MEDICAL CENTER
“Chris is the ultimate professional with a broad spectrum of experience. I had the distinct pleasure of working with Chris on a capital campaign for an organization that had no fundraising program prior to my arrival. Chris was instrumental in developing the campaign strategy to overcome the community hesitancy, negative organizational image within the organizations’ communities, as well as the extremely cautious nature of the board and volunteers. With Chris’ sound advice, the campaign was wildly successful and surpassed goal by 15%. Chris guided the campaign committees flawlessly and provided the necessary confidence building for the volunteers to ensure their success. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Chris and would so again in a heartbeat. Deliverables were always well developed, professional and on time.”
Cristine C. More
Vice President, Philanthropy
Wentworth Douglass Hospital Foundation
KADLEC FOUNDATION REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
“Few in the profession of fundraising can rival Christine's skills and results. She has my highest recommendation and I look forward to serving as her reference.”
Glenn Welch
VP, Resource Development & Executive Director
Foundation Kadlec Regional Medical Center
NEW HAMPSHIRE WOMEN'S FOUNDATION
“Chris, you’re the best! You set a clear goal, you get there in the right amount of time, your assessment is good, and donors feel comfortable with you – not to mention that I’ve enjoyed working with you. Thanks for your commitment to New Hampshire Women’s Foundation.”
Terie Norelli
Former President and CEO
NH Women’s Foundation
MANCHESTER COMMUNITY LIBRARY
“I just want to express once again my thanks for you amazing work for Manchester Community Library. I feel like we have taken a giant leap forward. I appreciate your talent and skill in directing us and giving us the tools to make MCL an even better organization. As I said today I hope that you will stay the course with us as we move into the next stage of this journey.”
Linda McKeever
Past President
Board of Trustees
FIVE MARK PROPERTIES
“Chris is simply the best! Having known Chris for almost fourteen years, her passion for creating positive change, adding value, opening communication, engaging and leading people is an unbelievable asset and is demonstrated in everything she does. Chris’s strong sense of intuition and understanding of people and their motivations, her honesty, integrity and strong people-management skills are always apparent. Her positive attitude and love of people is clearly evident as she successfully develops strategic plans, philanthropic efforts and providing management counsel for all. Not only are her honesty, strong ethics, and entrepreneurial spirit evident but is infectious and inspires and influences everyone she is around.”
Michael Tague
Director of Architecture
Five Mark Properties
THE WILSON HOUSE
“We engaged Chris for strategic planning at a critical juncture for our organization. Chris was able to quickly gain the confidence of our board and stakeholders. She is not only smart, strategic, efficient, thorough but has an exceptional ability to focus a large group and lead them to consensus --- resulting in a strategy that allows everyone to win!”
Berta Maginniss
Executive Director
The Wilson House
EQUALITY COMMUNITY CENTER
“We retained Chris Strong to conduct a feasibility study for a community center we were planning to build for the LGBTQ community in Maine. Chris was fantastic to work with. She was extremely knowledgeable, engaged the entire board in the process, and was clear and straightforward about procedures, expectations, and outcomes. Interview participants reported back that they thoroughly enjoyed the interview process with Chris, and her final report was a comprehensive compilation of invaluable information about how to move forward. We plan to retain Chris for our capital campaign, and would highly recommend her services to anyone thinking about needing to raise capital.”
Betsy Smith
Board member
Equality Community Center
