Our Heritage

1905 to the Present

Since 1905, when Charles Sumner Ward first pioneered capital fundraising, our plan of campaign has provided direction and counsel for philanthropic campaigns throughout the United States.

Our short term, resident directed methods of capital campaign consulting continues to be the most successful way to raise the necessary funds to continue the mission of your organization.

Among the earlier successes of Charles Sumner Ward was the first YMCA campaign of Washington, DC, in 1905. The first campaign for a hospital was conducted in 1911 in Salem, Ohio. In 1916, Ward directed an American Red Cross nationwide membership campaign increasing membership from 22,500 to 31,000,000. At the conclusion of the membership drive in 1917, the first Red Cross nationwide capital campaign raised $123,000,000. Then again, under Ward’s direction, in 1918, the second nationwide campaign for the Red Cross raised more than $181,000,000.

The Venture in Mission Campaign, beginning in 1976 and lasting several years, raised $170,000,000 for the Episcopal Church of America.

Today, Ward, Dreshman & Reinhardt concentrates its services to schools and other non-profit organizations. In its long history, this firm has directed nearly 8,000 capital campaigns raising over $3 billion. Ward, Dreshman & Reinhardt, Inc., an Illinois Corporation, is a wholly owned subsidiary of James D. Klote & Associates, headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia.

The accumulated experience of our Campaign Directors, combined with innovations carefully field-tested and judiciously applied, brings unique perspective for today’s capital campaign efforts. We believe our unique blend of personal service and professional experience is the main reason why our firm has been in existence for the past century.