Client Stories

Having endured multiple failures in his life, Andrew's teacher was worried that if he got into the chess club, he would face yet another. But Andrew took to chess "like a duck to water," and became one of ten children to participate in the championship tournament team.

Chess for Success' mission is to provide children in economically disadvantaged elementary and middle schools the opportunity to build and develop important skills necessary for success in school and life by participating in chess club programs and tournaments. They use chess as a tool to teach educational skills. Participation is free and open to any child, and Chess for Success provides tools, equipment, lesson plans, and training.

Chess for Success began 10 years ago, and until recently, Julie Young was their only employee. They had few individual donors who were contacted once per year with a holiday appeal letter, and were dependent on the up and down cycles of grant funding. It was difficult to keep the board engaged in fundraising. Poised to grow with a long waiting list of kids, they couldn't add more programs without solid funding.

Then, Chess for Success participated in the TACS Fund Development Capacity Building Program, where they received intensive training on fund development and follow-up coaching between trainings to assist them with building their base of individual donors and creating a fund development plan.

"It couldn't have come at a better time," says Julie. "Our consultant led a session with our board members to help them identify the prospects they may already have, get more comfortable asking for contributions, and learn how to do follow-up to keep donors engaged. Having homework and coaching between trainings kept us connected and moving forward." With the help of TACS, Chess for Success has already exceeded their fundraising goal by $20,000, has 54 new donors, and has a fundraising and communication plan that keeps all of their donors engaged.

Andrew won second place at the championship tournament. Though only in 4th grade, he stood 10 feet tall as he received his award. And Chess for Success reached their goal of adding 10 more chess club programs to their roster so they can reach more kids like Andrew!