Meet Sarah Duncan*, a female surgeon who, after a successful career, decided to dedicate her retirement to the causes she’s passionate about. Since stepping away from her profession, Sarah has thrown herself into her philanthropic efforts, taking a more hands-on role with the nonprofits she supports. One of these causes, a newly established charity, was gearing up for its first-ever gala, and Sarah, who believes strongly in their mission, took on the role of Executive Director to help bring it to life.
Fast forward six months, and while the gala was a sell-out, the prep work was far from finished. With just three months left, Sarah found herself drowning in the details and to-do lists.
Enter Atlas
Sarah has known Pam Vogel, CPA and Shareholder of Origin CPA Group, for years through their shared passion and support for local charities. One day, during a chance encounter at Whole Foods, Pam casually asked Sarah about her new ED role. That simple question opened the floodgates.
“I was so relieved to see Pam and just poured my heart out,” Sarah said with a laugh. “She caught me at my worst – the caterer had just canceled, and I was ready to pull my hair out. We must have stood there for twenty minutes as I spilled all the stressful details of planning the gala.”
Recognizing the strain Sarah was under, Pam suggested that Sarah meet her colleagues at Atlas, a team designed to take on exactly these kinds of overwhelming tasks. Three days later, Sarah found herself in a meeting with Pam and the Atlas team, who quickly jumped into action. Together, they created a schedule and a detailed task list, prioritizing what needed to be done and when. Sarah still wanted to be involved in the decision-making but was thrilled to hand off the endless details.
Understanding Sarah’s needs, the Atlas team sourced three new caterers, organized tastings, and secured quotes – turning a near disaster into a seamless experience. They also revamped the evening’s agenda to ensure a smoother flow, easier setup, and hassle-free cleanup. And when it came to the silent auction, Atlas worked their magic to bring in even more items, which helped the charity surpass its fundraising goals.
“I went from sleepless nights to feeling completely in control,” Sarah shared. “The team met with me weekly to go over what had been done, what needed my input, and what was left on the list. The gala’s success is 100% thanks to Atlas.”
The Result
The inaugural gala was a resounding success, with the charity raising more money than they had ever imagined. Encouraged by the outcome, Sarah booked the venue for the following year on the spot. With Atlas already handling the big details for next year’s event, Sarah found more time to focus on her other passions – including property and travel, both of which are being supported by Atlas.
“Atlas has given me the retirement I always dreamed about,” Sarah said with a smile.
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*This story is based on prior issues and projects Atlas has handled. In order to protect privacy, the details including names have been changed but the services and relief provided are accurate