Project Overview

Eagle Ridge Academy, a growing K–12 charter school located in Minnetonka, Minnesota, had an inspiring vision: to create a rigorous, character-centered learning environment that prepared students to think critically, act with integrity, and lead with purpose. However, like many independent schools poised for growth, Eagle Ridge faced a familiar challenge, the vision was clear, but the infrastructure to sustain and scale it was not yet in place. The school needed a comprehensive strategy to unite its leadership team, board, and broader community around a shared roadmap for expansion.

While academic performance and student engagement were strong, the organization lacked a robust fundraising and development framework capable of fueling the next phase of growth. Facility expansion, teacher diversity initiatives, and student support programs all depended on creating new systems for strategic alignment, donor engagement, and philanthropic investment. The Culture Lab was invited to partner with Eagle Ridge Academy to help translate aspiration into action, bringing clarity, cohesion, and capacity to every level of the organization.

Our Approach

The Culture Lab stepped in as both a strategic advisor and a development partner, working side by side with school leadership, board members, and development staff to design a multi-year fundraising and culture alignment strategy.

Our process unfolded in three key phases:

1. Strategic Planning & Vision Alignment

We began by facilitating in-depth strategic planning sessions with Eagle Ridge’s board of directors, school leaders, and parent ambassadors. These sessions focused on reconnecting every stakeholder to the school’s mission and future vision, ensuring that fundraising efforts were not simply about dollars raised, but about advancing purpose and impact. Through a series of collaborative workshops, we identified institutional priorities and developed a unified case for support that clearly articulated why Eagle Ridge Academy’s mission matters and how philanthropy could accelerate it.

2. Fundraising Infrastructure & Donor Strategy

Next, we partnered with the development team to design a $1 million fundraising roadmap. This roadmap included clear milestones for individual giving, corporate sponsorships, foundation grants, and community-based campaigns. Our team provided hands-on coaching in donor identification, cultivation, and stewardship, helping the school strengthen existing relationships while opening new doors to philanthropic partners. We also co-organized and facilitated donor cultivation events that brought together parents, business leaders, and potential investors. These gatherings showcased student achievements, leadership stories, and the tangible impact of Eagle Ridge’s educational model — creating emotional connections that led to new financial commitments and partnerships.

3. Leadership Capacity & Community Building

While fundraising was a central goal, we understood that sustainable success depended on cultural alignment and leadership development. We worked closely with the school’s executive leadership and development office to strengthen internal communication, clarify roles, and build systems for long-term stewardship. By integrating our Contagious Culture™ Framework, we helped the leadership team approach fundraising not as a transactional activity, but as an extension of the school’s values, driven by authenticity, service, and shared purpose.

Results

The partnership between Eagle Ridge Academy and The Culture Lab produced immediate momentum and long-term strategic clarity:

• Unified Vision and Strategy: The board, leadership team, and development office are now fully aligned around a common set of priorities and messaging.

• $1 Million Fundraising Roadmap: A detailed plan was developed to guide donor engagement and funding efforts over multiple years, with measurable goals and accountability systems.

• Expanded Donor Network: New relationships with corporate and foundation partners were cultivated, leading to increased visibility and early-stage commitments toward the $1M goal.

• Strengthened Community Trust: Parent ambassadors and local stakeholders expressed renewed confidence in the school’s leadership and long-term direction.

• Increased Organizational Capacity: The development team now operates with greater structure, confidence, and clarity, ensuring that future fundraising efforts are scalable and mission-driven.

Eagle Ridge Academy is now positioned for sustainable growth, with a clear roadmap to fund its facility expansion, enhance student opportunities, and expand initiatives like its Grow Your Own Teacher Diversity Program, which aims to cultivate and retain educators from underrepresented backgrounds. The work continues, but the foundation has been set, one that combines strategy, storytelling, and shared belief in what’s possible when culture and capacity align.

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