The Augustus Group
Helping Inspirational Causes Achieve Their Philanthropic Potential
Recognizing the unique role of nonprofits to make important, sustainable change in the neighborhoods, communities and world around us, the Augustus Group provides expertise in all aspects of fundraising including audits, feasibility studies, annual fund initiatives, major gifts, strategic planning and execution, and leadership and board development.
With deep experience in both the consulting space and as in-house development executives, Augustus Group principals understand the value in delivering highly customized, actionable fundraising strategies that leverage our clients’ operational strengths, brand recognition and reputation. Our objective is to help organizations take the steps they need to build platforms that support long-term growth around mission delivery by maximizing their philanthropic potential.
Started in the Fall of 2018, the Augustus Group was founded with a simple premise – nonprofit organizations with budgets under $5 million deserve the same level of development support and fundraising expertise which typically has been only available to large nonprofits who can afford more imposing fees. Our team members have or are currently working on larger projects for other consulting firms. But by limiting overhead and keeping our focus more regional, the Augustus Group brings a wealth of experience and comparable service offerings at a more modest cost. Our partnerships with other firms allow our team to draw on additional resources as necessary.
Our firm’s core principle is to provide our clients with:
- Strategies to develop funding opportunities which best match an organization’s needs with a donor’s interest and priorities
- Recommendations and fundraising strategies which take full use of their core mission, reputation and brand
- A comprehensive and honest evaluation of their true philanthropic opportunity
Whether local, regional, national or international, the Augustus Group welcomes the opportunity to learn more about your organization’s needs and aspirations, and to explore how we can partner with you in achieving success.
SERVICES
Fundraising Strategy
There is an art and science to conducting a successful development operation. Understanding both elements is critical to assuring that your organization achieves its full potential. The Augustus Group team works with nonprofit leaders to craft an inspirational message while also drilling down into the numbers to create efficient and effective fundraising operations.
Leadership Development
Fundraising is a three legged stool of planning, prospects and leadership. Having committed volunteers who help set an example of generosity are essential to ensuring that your organization achieves its goals. Experienced in working with many different leadership styles, our team can help provide direction of leadership recruitment efforts, revising board roles & responsibilities and new leadership orientation.
Strategic Planning
Every five years, successful organizations typically conduct a programmatic or operational strategic plan review. Too often, operational and mission driven plans are developed separate from financial realities. Our team is experienced in conducting strategic plans that appropriately merge ambitious programmatic planning with realistic financial expectations that ensure optimal mission delivery.
Campaign Counsel
Planning and conducting a major fundraising campaign is a significant undertaking. Having designed and implemented hundreds of major campaigns for a wide variety of nonprofit organizations, our team's experience will provide the direction, insights and planning expertise to insure that your campaign goals and expectations.
OUR WORK
Niagara University
As a Senior Consultant for Orr Associates, Inc. Bob Hoak is provided direction and strategy to Niagara University for five years as it initiated and embarked on a major Capital Campaign.
Wartburg
As one of New York's premier institutions, Wartburg continues its long tradition and mission of caring for the community by providing comprehensive services which nurture mind, body and spirit. The Augustus Group was proud to partner with Wartburg to help achieve its full philanthropic potential.
REACH Prep
REACH Prep provides access to transformative educational experiences that empower underserved, high-achieving students to graduate from top colleges and emerge as the next generation of leaders.
ADDITIONAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE DIRECTION OF OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM INCLUDE:
• Abyssinian Development Corporation
• Apollo Theater
• Arab American Family Support Center
• Archdiocese of the Military Services
• Archdiocese of New York
• Armenian Missionary Association of America
• Asian Cultural Council
• Ascension Health’s Transformational Development
• Boys and Girls Harbor
• Brookhaven Memorial Hospital Medical Center
• Chicago Tribune’s Annual Holiday Drive
• Covenant House International
• Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
• Delaware Valley Habitat for Humanity
• Diocese of Scranton
• Edward John Noble Hospital, Alexandria Bay, NY
• Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts
• Girl Scouts of the USA
• God’s Love We Deliver
• Good Samaritan Hospital, Watertown, New York
• Hospital for Special Surgery Education Division
• Independent College Fund of New York
• Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation
• LaSalle Institute High School, Troy, New York
• Lighthouse International Make-A-Wish NY
• Mental Health America
• Museum of Biblical Art
• National Urban League
• Nassau University Medical Center
• ORBIS International
• Patient Access Network Foundation
• Pratt Institute
• Public/Private Ventures
• Robert Wood Johnson Hospital Foundation at Rahway
• Southampton Hospital
• St. Columbkill Parish, Boyertown, PA
• St. John’s Hospital in Yonkers
• Saint Vincent’s Catholic Medical Centers
• United Cerebral Palsy of New York City
• United Way of New York City
• United Way of Western Connecticut
• Wartburg, Mt. Vernon, NY
OUR TEAM
ROBERT P. HOAK, JR.
PRINCIPAL / OWNER
Bob is the Principal/Owner of the Augustus Group, a nonprofit development consulting firm, in addition to being a Senior Consultant with Orr Associates Inc. Bob brings with him to every assignment nearly three decades of nonprofit fundraising and management experience. Bob works with clients on a broad range of projects, including strategic planning, board recruitment and development, and fundraising strategy and implementation.
Throughout his career, Bob has managed diverse teams on all aspects of nonprofit development operations including strategic planning, budgeting, stewardship, major gifts, special events, cause marketing, and corporate and foundation funding.
As both a consultant and a senior development professional, Bob’s 30 years of insights and strategy have helped clients raise over $1 billion in philanthropic support.
Liz, a Principal at the Augustus Group, brings close to 30-years of nonprofit management, fundraising and development experience. As a consultant, her clients included faith-based organizations, social service agencies, medical centers and teaching hospitals, professional associations, and family foundations.
In June 2015, Liz joined Make-A-Wish Metro & Western New York as the chapter’s first Chief Development Officer, managing staff in Lake Success, Long Island, Buffalo and Rochester. Prior to joining MAW, Liz served as Chief Development Officer at Maimonides Medical Center in Brooklyn. Along with managing the department’s budget and overall operations, she was involved in major and individual gifts, corporate partnerships, grateful patients’ initiatives and events.
Before going in-house, Liz was a Managing Director at Changing Our World, a fundraising and philanthropic consulting firm where she conducted development audits, feasibility studies, strategic development plans, and general fundraising counsel to clients.
CONTACT US
The Augustus Group
266 Elmwood Ave, #364
Buffalo, NY 14222
914.714.2097