Case Study / Client Work

Princeton Nursery School
“Almora has been a wonderful partner to PNS on multiple projects. The team has created and implemented a successful development plan, which helps us to fulfill our mission of empowering children through preschool education and family support services. Almora has also guided and supported our Board with governance and strategic planning workshops. We are especially thankful for their assistance in our unexpected recent Executive Director search and leadership: Almora has been an amazing and superb resource in supporting PNS in delivering our important mission. Thank you!”

Princeton Nursery School

Princeton Nursery School

THE MISSION

Princeton Nursery School (PNS) is an educational preschool and child care facility for children between the ages of 2 1/2 and 5 years. PNS is nestled in the heart of the John Witherspoon community of Mercer County in Princeton, NJ. Founded by Margaret Matthews-Flinsch in 1929, PNS has been laying the groundwork for brighter futures for children and families by offering affordable child care and an excellent preschool experience for nearly nine decades. Today, the school’s mission is to provide a quality preschool education program and child care for families in need, providing a diverse environment and a broad array of support services.
Princeton Nursery School image of classroom
Princeton Nursery School boy on scooter toy

Princeton Nursery School

THE CONTEXT

Almora partnered with Princeton Nursery School to advise them on their development strategy and fundraising efforts. Without designated fundraising personnel, Almora fulfilled a need to create a major donor cultivation approach, provide the board with fundraising guidance, oversee grant procurement, manage annual fund efforts, and support event design and implementation. Faced with many of the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic and a sudden Executive Director transition, there was an urgent need for crisis management. Almora stepped in to provide guidance when the board of trustees felt overwhelmed by the need to continue running the school’s operations, conduct a professional search, and plan and hold their critical fundraising gala.

Princeton Nursery School

THE RESULTS

During the leadership transition, we helped guide and support the board by conducting an executive search, running all the school’s development and grant writing functions, and completely overseeing their highly successful gala. The school was able to deliver its mission because of the crisis management assistance we provided. Working alongside an incredibly competent and committed board, Almora gave guidance, designed new fundraising strategies, and ensured the implementation of a wide range of support initiatives where they were needed. An outstanding new Executive Director has been recruited to lead PNS forward.
Princeton Nursery School kids in classroom