I've just returned from almost three weeks in Serbia, providing leadership to the 10th International Summer School to Stop AIDS. Young people representing more than 15 countries (from Iran to Turkey and France to Macedonia) attended the nine-day school, with Common Ground responsible for coordinating the educational program. Please check out the blog site for lots of great stories about our work.

This month, I'm beginning of a great new capacity building project with the Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA). So much of our work at Common Ground has to do with social profit sustainability and fundraising, and this is a fantastic organization that has been doing critical work for more than 20 years. As they move into their third decade of service, they are looking to expand their ability to provide even more help to federal employees and their families. Common Ground will help them do it!

Our work with FEEA will involve an assessment of current practices, marketing strategies, and fundraising efforts through telephone and in-person interviews with staff, Board members, funders, clients, and other beneficiaries of FEEA?s programs. We will analyze the current funding breakdown with an eye towards long-term sustainability and the potential for growth. New funding sources and strategies will be recommended; and a formal development plan will be created. We will make specific recommendations as to fundraising infrastructure and will include specialized fundraising training for staff and Board members.

Don't Forget! In 2005, Americans gave an estimated $260 billion to the issues they care about?an increase of $15 billion or 6.1% over 2004 totals! As is always the case, more than 83% of this money came directly from individuals.

Next Month, we'll be making our first capacity building trip to Macedonia to work with a dozen outstanding non governmental organizations (NGOs). Watch the blog to learn more!

If you haven't visited our website yet, I hope you'll take a look. When you get to our site, go to the login area under "Members" on the left, and enter the email address where you are receiving this; and create a password.

After that simple step, you'll have access to dozens of fully downloadable resources (more just added) to help you in your work. You'll also be able to view our snapshots gallery; and I'll be able to involve you more directly in our cutting-edge work around the world!

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If they are interested, they'll be able to sign-up, otherwise, we'll leave them alone. You have my word!

I can't wait for you to get involved in our online community! For almost two decades, Common Ground Consulting LLC has been providing mission-critical consulting services to social profit organizations. We look forward to strengthening our relationship with you. See you on the web!

In Community, Craig

	Quick Tips Newsletter One of the resources we offer to our friends and colleagues is our Quick Tips Newsletter. In them, we offer simple strategies you can implement to improve your social profit experience. Each month, we focus on a specific area of interest to our social sector community; offering tips, tools, and techniques to make your life just a little easier. This month, we talk all about "How to Sustain Yourself" while doing this important work! Check it out now...