Our work, past and present

Located on the site of the historic Tredegar Gun Foundry in Richmond, VA, the American Civil War Center is the only facility in the country to tell the story of the Civil War from the Union, Confederate and African American perspectives. The center was incorporated in 2000 and opened its doors in 2006. The Richmond National Battlefield Park Center is also located within one of the buildings in the complex, which makes the attraction an ideal starting place for an east coast Civil War tour. The Wilburn Group has advised the Civil War Center by briefing management and board members on the role and responsibilities of the board. [close]

In 2010, the American Revolution Center secured a land exchange in the heart of historic Philadelphia. This enabled the Center to move forward with plans for a Museum of the American Revolution located steps from the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. The Wilburn Group was retained to develop initial plans —including financials—for the new museum. It also drafted a fundraising plan, including a case statement and list of donor prospects; provided counsel on the constitution of the Board of Directors; and prepared ARC principals for meetings with donor prospects. [close]

In March of 2012, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and the Cincinnati Museum Center took steps to join together into a single structure. The Wilburn Group was retained to provide counsel on management and organizational structure in advance of the planned merger. Upon completion of the union, both museums will retain their own brands and missions, but they will share operations and planning functions. [close]

The DC region has one of the highest cancer incidence and mortality rates in the country. To address this issue, a number of healthcare, community service and volunteer organizations came together to provide better access to screenings and treatment, especially for those populations most at risk. A one-time grant from DC's share of the Tobacco Master Settlement Fund covered the consortium's organizational, program and operating costs for the first five years.

As the grant funding came to an end, the Wilburn Group provided counsel on expanding the consortium's outreach within the DC metropolitan area, and helped them build a board, broaden their base of support within the public and private sectors and diversify their funding sources to include public as well as private funding from corporations, foundations and individuals. Our team also assisted with the development of a fundraising plan, identification of donor prospects and completion of a case statement. [close]

The War of 1812 struck hard in this area of Upper Canada. As the site of Canada's bloodiest battle, Old Fort Erie is an important destination for learning more about the War of 1812, the American Revolution, the Underground Railroad and other aspects of Canada's history. Working in partnership with PGAV Destinations, the Wilburn Group helped Niagara Parks to develop a vision for a new visitor center and exhibits to enhance the visitor experience. Our team also developed a fundraising plan that relied on public and private support. As a result of this visioning process, all necessary funds were raised, and the scale and scope of the project was expanded to better serve the park's visitors. [close]

The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library is located within the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, which is administered by the National Park Service to preserve the natural setting of Hoover's youth in Iowa.

The Wilburn Group was initially retained by PGAV Destinations to develop a fundraising plan for a new visitor welcome center at this cultural institution. The Library and Museum subsequently retained the Wilburn Group to counsel senior staff on building relationships with key constituencies and to provide follow-up coaching. [close]

The Holy Land Christian Ecumenical Foundation (HCEF) was established in 1998 by Arab and American Christians to support the Christian presence in the Holy Land. This non-profit organization is committed to the continued presence and well-being of Arab Christians in the Holy Land, and to developing bonds of solidarity between them and Christians around the world. Through programs at the community level, pilgrimages to the region, conferences, publications and special events, the HCEF is building a network of support for Christians in the Holy Land.

The Wilburn Group was retained to advise on the development of a proposed museum of Palestinian heritage and culture to be located in Bethlehem. Our counsel included the assessment of the purchase of a collection of more than 3,500 artifacts; identification and evaluation of several alternative sites for the museum; financial projections, including earned income and contributions; and the development of an audio-visual presentation for use with donor prospects. [close]

The Jack Miller Center for Teaching America’s Founding Principles and History (JMC) is a non-profit, non-partisan foundation that supports ongoing programs and services for a growing network of college professors who want to expand opportunities for students to learn more about American political, cultural and intellectual history.  By building lasting partnerships among donors, professors and administrators at colleges and universities across the country, and delivering important, sustainable and measurable results, the JMC has become a unique resource for higher education.  In the process, it is transforming student access to education in America’s history and founding principles, while at the same time offering research services that enable donors to invest intelligently in higher education. The Wilburn Group developed a fundraising strategy, including a case statement, for the JMC’s first-ever capital campaign, and continues to provide senior-level counsel on its fundraising initiatives. [close]

The 180-mile region that stretches from Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Albemarle County, VA, to Gettysburg, PA, holds more American heritage than any other swath of land in the country. And today, it also hosts millions of people who call this scenic land home. The Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership was created to ensure that this hallowed ground is rightfully stewarded and its Main Street and working landscape communities are properly supported. The JTHG Partnership is a group of more than 350 organizations—which includes every elected jurisdiction within the region. The Partnership has dedicated itself to identifying 21st-century solutions to balance economic growth with the irreplaceable historic, natural and cultural attributes of the region.

Working with this important Partnership, the Wilburn Group has provided counsel on the development and implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan. We have also advised on recruitment of board members and on the structure and content of the annual meeting of the partners, and counseled the group on the development of a fundraising plan and case statement. [close]

As a principal attraction at Patriot's Point in Charleston, SC, this new $100 million museum will tell the story of the Congressional Medal of Honor, its history, recipients and significance. The Wilburn Group has been retained to provide counsel on the planning and development for this important attraction, which is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors a year. In our scope of work, we will provide counsel on the constitution of the Board of Directors and advisors, recruit permanent staff and begin the development of a comprehensive fundraising initiative. [close]

The National Armor and Cavalry Heritage Foundation is creating a new permanent home to celebrate the lineage, history and heritage of the U.S Army's Armor and Cavalry Force. This new facility will honor the patriotic men and women who have trained, served and fought in America's mounted forces. The Heritage Foundation's mission is to create a world-class museum on land adjacent to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Fort Benning, GA. When completed, this will be the US Army's largest museum complex. The Wilburn Group has been advising on the development of a fundraising plan and capital campaign to build this new museum. [close]

The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg and the Adams County Historical Society have joined together to create a new museum in Gettysburg, PA. This new facility will promote a greater understanding of the Civil War events that took place on Seminary Ridge during the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and their significance to the American experience, then and now. Over the last decade, the Seminary and Historical Society have developed a plan that will preserve the iconic 1832 Seminary building, give life to the stories that took place there during the pivotal battle and explore the social, moral and ethical aspects of war, compassion and peace.

The Wilburn Group has been retained to assist with the final stages of the fundraising effort and is offering counsel on programmatic components of the project, including an increased emphasis on aspects related to religion and the war. In addition to advising on outreach to prospective donors, our team also drafted the case statement. [close]