CASE STUDY

Latino Center of the Midlands

OBJECTIVE

To raise robust financial resources in support of a diverse and growing array of services, including adult basic education, truancy reduction, health classes for all ages, and workforce development.

STRATEGY

VGA builds, develops, and sustains a year-round grants calendar, including both new and sustaining contributors and balancing public and private funding sources. The VGA team writes grant proposals, completes reports, prospects for new opportunities, and advises on donor-cultivation strategies. VGA organizes and manages fundraising events, including the signature annual event, the Destino Dinner, raising resources and engaging donors in the Latino Center’s mission.

Founded in 1971 as a small community center, today the Latino Center of the Midlands is a growing hub of wellness, education, and opportunity. Based in South Omaha, its bilingual team specializes in serving Latino and Latina students, workers, and families throughout the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area.

The Latino Center has worked with Vic Gutman & Associates since 2017. In grants and fundraising, the Latino Center has since diversified its revenue sources, increased the stability of that revenue, and exceeded their annual fundraising goal every year. VGA has also worked with the Latino Center on their annual Destino Dinner, which has grown to welcome more than 450 donors since 2017.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, VGA helped raise resources for special relief efforts, including emergency assistance for families and a new urban agriculture program. VGA also pivoted to a virtual format for the Destino Dinner and still met the net revenue goal for that year.

“VGA’s creativity and flexibility has helped us meet the needs of our community, even amid many unanticipated challenges. Our account manager is a real pro, and we always feel assured that our fundraising efforts are top notch.”

Albert Varas, Executive Director Latino Center of the Midlands