Testimonials
Rick on organizational planning
"I value so very much your intellect, ethics, creativity, humanity, and perhaps as much as anything else, your critical eye. You have consistently asked the tough questions that need to be raised if we are to meet our objectives and create programs, products and services that are meaningful to our constituents. It is exceedingly easy to argue that your accomplishments in the area of communications are inextricably linked to the rise in the Foundation’s fortunes during the past decade."
Ronald V. Gallo, president and CEO, The Rhode Island Foundation
"Thank you, thank you! You have energized, restored and enhanced all parts of CFA. As far as we're concerned, you're a cowboy and a rock star!"
Nancy Jones, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Abilene
"This momentous year [25th anniversary], you have added the missing piece to our operations. Our voice was muted and mushy. You've given us clarity and conviction."
Alice Fitzpatrick, president and CEO, Community Foundation of Southeastern Connecticut
"It's been such a delight to work with Rick. His creativity inspired as did his candor. His approach to our yearlong communications project made the planning process, technology troubleshooting, and looming deadlines all seem manageable. We can fully credit Rick with helping us launch a multi-state, collaborative initiative to convey the impact of philanthropy."
Janet Henry, president, Maine Philanthropy Center
"The Station Nightclub fire relief effort was both complex and highly scrutinized by the Rhode Island public. The difficult issues raised were successfully negotiated because Rick was able to help our committee consider the ramifications of each decision and adopt policies that had integrity and served the immediate needs of those who were in crisis. I think it fair to say that without Rick’s support and vision, our effort to assist the families would not have been nearly as successful as they proved to be."
John E. Holt, Chair, Station Nightclub Fire Relief Fund
"You have been a rich experience for me personally and all of us at the NCF. Your insight and ability to articulate what we often have stumbled to verbalize always impressed me. Your work with the convening committee has kept us afloat and on track with the concerns of many in the community. We relied on you to keep us focused on our topics and in the end to satisfactorily answer the 'so what' question."
Barbara Strasser, The Newport County Fund
"You have been such a valuable asset at [The Rhode Island] Foundation, so integral to its success, that it’s hard to think of you not being there to offer your valuable wisdom, advice, perspective and, indeed, straight talk! Thanks for all you have done to build a better Rhode Island community and to actively develop and support partnerships between the United Way and the Foundation."
William J. Allen, retired vice president, United Way of Rhode Island
"I returned home yesterday after our meeting and told [my husband]: 'That was the most productive, useful meeting I’ve ever had re: IFA'"
Janet Penn, director, Interfaith Action, Inc. (MA)
"Thank you for all your great work this past year to help nurture the Coalition for Water Security. We’re grateful for all your helpful advice and insight (and your patience as we struggled to find out the mission). Our environmental community is already stronger for the effort."
Sheila Dormody, director, Clean Water Action (RI)
"Rick is a person with a giving heart. He believes in the power of the human heart with a passion. He has the ability to work with people in a way that brings out the best in them. With Rick, 'I can not do it' is not an option. He has the ability to meet people where they are and take them to where they want to be. Rick is a great teacher and an even better listener."
Mary Smith, Oasis International (RI)
Rick on facilitation and workshops
"Rick Schwartz is an exceptional moderator. He engages both the panelists and the audience and keeps things moving at a steady pace. Rick is always well-prepared and insightful, and is able to grasp the big picture and ask the tough questions in a respectful and congenial manner."
Nancy Isabel, Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), “Meet the Funders”
"Great balance of drawing out, elucidating, and guidance. Rick’s workshop brought our Board to a new level in so many ways. I am confident that the hours he spent with us will pay off for us not only financially, but also render a huge payoff for the GLBT community. He is truly passionate about helping nonprofits reach their full potential."
Options Newsmagazine Board
"The workshop [How to Best Communicate with Everyone that Matters to You] came at a time when we are strengthening our agency fund development and communications work, and I was delighted to hear presenter Rick Schwartz offer solid, practical, and right-to-the-point advice on these very issues."
Rev. Mary Margaret Earl, administrator, McAuley House
"You have been a very integral part of making the Newport County Fund the success that it is. You were always much more than a facilitator for our convenings. You helped to bring forth the issues the Newport County needed to address. You have that rare ability to create dialog amongst those with differing interests, and to open and close the dialog when needed."
Richard Plotkin, chairman, The Newport County Fund
"I attended the seminar you gave at Third Sector New England on January 15th [Communications and Your Nonprofit's Mission]. Without a doubt, the best and most rewarding seminar I've attended."
Craig A. Maser, Director of Advancement, Notre Dame Education Center (MA)
"We received such positive responses to the educational session "How to Best Communicate with Everyone that Matters to You" that I couldn’t resist forwarding the comments ["Rick did an outstanding job and was great at making everyone comfortable to contribute." "Rick Schwartz is fantastic, funny, and provided a much-enjoyed workshop.” “Wonderfully effective – personable, energetic, knowledgeable."]. It is clear that Rick did a great job as teacher and facilitator."
Linda Newton, vice president, Community Relations and Employee Services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island
"What an excellent session [Yes, Your Nonprofit Must Have an Annual Report!]! It was wonderful getting his time and expertise one-on-one. He gave me some great food for thought re: making sure I know who my target audience is and making sure to cater to them when putting the piece together. I feel I now have the guidance to approach this task."
MJ Heller, Ridgefield Boys and Girls Club (CT)
"Thank you once again for conducting the workshop on Graphic Design and Publications in the Professional Development Institute. Your workshop was an integral part of the success of the overall program and was very well received. Here are some of the comments from the evaluation forms: ‘Rick is funny and very engaging,' '(The course was) a good primer for those of us with little experience,' 'Definitely knows his stuff.'"
Amy Schechtman, Carolyn Mark, Directors, MIT Professional Development Institute
Comments from the two-day class, "Publishing for Organizers": "the attitude, knowledge, and teaching style of the instructor; easygoing, humorous, not judgmental," "the ability to anticipate questions and explain clearly," "great personality, very patient with technology 'idiots', very knowledgeable," "Rick’s sense of humor is a major piece of his teaching skills," "gave us the freedom to try anything".
Management and Community Development Institute, Tufts University
Comments from "Ten Great Ways to Communicate with Donors" for TDC, Boston: "Well-organized, clever, good coverage of basics with excellent advanced commentary. Creative and witty, too!"
Rick on publications and marketing
"I was in my 'can’t see the forest for the trees' period. Rick spent days reorganizing my first draft so it would make more sense. He acted as the readers’ surrogate and advocate, and as the author’s friend. His clear thinking about structure guided me to a hugely improved second draft."
Acknowledgements, "Raising More Money with Newsletters than You Ever Thought Possible," by Tom Ahern
"I cannot begin to tell you how valuable Rick's input is to not only writing an annual report but to the future planning of the organization. I felt extremely excited and energized and can't wait to put his ideas and suggestions to paper."
Pamela Samaha, Child and Family Institute of Fairfield County (CT)
"Rick has deep expertise in communications and marketing. He is a skilled and creative writer, and an absolute pleasure to work with. A true collaborator."
Anne Weekley, Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
"Rick has proved an astute and helpful advisor to the Institute. We are extremely grateful to him for his excellent advice, especially about marketing, over the years."
Bill Shuey, executive director, International Institute of Rhode Island
"Rick is of great value to our community foundation. He has written a communications plan, helped us work more effectively with donors and been a source of great ideas."
Sally Hartman, Vice President for Communications, The Norfolk Foundation
