Pitcher Group Sponsorship and Philanthropy Experience
The following are highlights of projects supported by the Pitcher Group team:
CAUSES
Mohawk College of Applied Arts & Technology
At Mohawk College in Hamilton, William Pitcher directed development operations working with the senior management team to secure a number of unprecedented contributions. Highlights include, Hydro One which contributed $3-million as part of a four-college partnership designed to produce graduates with training in high-voltage electrical engineering. Meanwhile, the Marshall Family contributed $1.2-million for a new Centre for Transportation, and helped raise further funds through major gifts solicitations and family organized events. Some of the unique benefits the College provided in return include an entire marketing class helping Marshall Truck and Trailer Repair launch a new service. The College also formed a $1-million partnership with Satyam Computer Services to create the Satyam Interoperable Electronic Health Record Centre at Mohawk. Thanks to this partnership, in mere months, Mohawk became a world-leader in the field of Health Informatics. Finally, Harold Cummings donated $4-million to create the Cummings Library and Collaboratory. This gift was the largest in history to any Ontario College.
UNICEF Canada
William Pitcher brokered a partnership worth $6-million with Cadbury. As part of the multi-year agreement, Cadbury showcased UNICEF on all of its Halloween candy. These results were achieved by identifying and addressing the particular needs of each partner. Cadbury wanted to be children-friendly in a peanut-allergy world, and UNICEF had a real need to promote its new Trick or Treat for UNICEF program after the conclusion of its famous Halloween coin collection efforts.
City of Guelph
The Pitcher Group was engaged by the City of Guelph to raise funds for various projects such as sports fields, trails and playgrounds. The firm secured a $100,000 seed funds contribution to fund ongoing fundraising.
Prostate Cancer Research Foundation of Canada
The Prostate Cancer Research Foundation is dedicated to funding the study of this disease. The Pitcher Group assisted the Foundation with securing sponsorships for the Father’s Day Run and the Bay Street Breakfast. The firm also provided general counsel on expanding sponsorship opportunities.
West Park Hospital
West Park is one of the Greater Toronto Area’s three long-term care facilities and the leading specialist in rehabili-tation. The Pitcher Group was engaged to examine the sponsorship opportunities available throughout the Hospital with a special emphasis on a new $20-million Long Term Care Centre.
ARTS CENTRES
Centre in the Square
The Centre in the Square in Kitchener is comprised of a 2000-seat theatre and the Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery. Renowned for its acoustics and large performing spaces, The Centre in the Square is a major arts resource from London to Guelph and from Owen Sound to Brantford. Working with Ketchum Canada, the Pitcher Group designed and implemented a $4.6-million sponsorship plan. The goal of this project was to secure a title sponsor for The Centre and partners for nine other major opportunities in the facility. With one contribution from ATS Automation Tooling Systems, $5-million was raised.
Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery
The K-W Art Gallery was seeking to secure its financial foundation and expand its range of exhibits, programs and services. The Pitcher conducted a fundraising readiness program for a campaign of about $2.5-million.
Corporation of Massey Hall & Roy Thomson Hall
The Pitcher Group conducted an Appraisal and Planning Process for a Roy Thomson Hall Campaign. The appeal will raised more than $20-million for an acoustics project and other improvements. The firm created innovative sponsorship opportunities to achieve this goal.
Heritage Theatre Brampton
The Pitcher Group conducted a feasibility and planning process for the Heritage Theatre as the first stage of a sponsorship and charitable campaign that led to the development of the Rose Theatre.
Chatham Capital Theatre Association
The Capitol Theatre is a 1300-seat venue in Chatham, Ontario. A team of volunteers led by the successful Opera singer, Kevin McMillan saved the Theatre from the wreckers ball. The facility was designed as a year round concert venue and summer festival destination. The Pitcher Group conducted a fundraising asset appraisal.
ATTRACTIONS
Center Court Sports and Entertainment Complex
The Center Court project is a series of thirty sports theme parks planned for across North America and Europe. The first of these $25-million facilities was developed for Markham, Ontario. The Pitcher Group prepared a sponsorship plan for the project to raise $1.6-million annually. Our company also researched the top international prospects. We went on to provide counsel on securing an international title sponsor.
Ontario Place
The Pitcher Group was involved in a variety of sponsorship projects with Christelle Marketing at Ontario Place. Key among opportunities at the park were Children’s Village and Cinesphere. The Pitcher Group helped with strategies for securing sponsors for these properties.
The Forks North Portage Partnership
The Pitcher Group was retained by The Forks North Portage Partnership, a project for the recreation and economic redevelopment of central Winnipeg. The firm prepared a sponsorship appraisal and plan to secure sponsors for the Partnership’s top naming opportunities including counsel for securing the Scotiabank Festival Stage partnership.