Scholars hope foundation

It is with great pleasure that I enthusiastically endorse Candace Chromy.

Scholars’ Hope (formerly El Viento) has a rich 20-year history in the City of Huntington Beach. Our mission is to inspire and guide our youth to build confidence for success in higher education. Students receive academic support and the social-emotional coaching necessary to navigate through situations common to youth so that they thrive as adults.

My professional relationship with Candace began when she was employed as our Director of Development. I was immediately impressed by her professionalism and her extensive experience in the nonprofit industry. Candace has a very approachable demeanor that can put anyone in her presence at ease and at the same time demand respect and attention. It is these very qualities that I believe to be at the core of every great fund development professional.

Candace possesses the characteristics and skills that would bring any organization to another level of success.

Jim was the originator of the Planned Giving program for the USS Midway Museum raising over 6 million dollars in legacy gifts. He established repertoire with affinity minded volunteers and members of the public who made charitable contributions to the Museum while making sure these gifts conformed to the goals of the donor and the Museum.

He was also responsible for bringing the corporate sponsorship program to the museum, which has resulted in several highly profitable contracts from sources such as the NFL and Cox Communications.

Jim successfully leveraged the relationships with the investment management community. He and I worked together as a team in the Development Department of the USS Midway Museum.

Jim had a strong rapport with staff, board and donors. His outstanding social skills and professional etiquette at every level and his proven track record of success made him a very valuable and trusted employee. He was an outstanding representative for the museum and a pleasure to have on the team. 

I highly recommend Jim Eckel to anyone needing help with more lucrative fundraising efforts. Our nonprofit has for the past 10 years relied on two major fundraising events a year, loyal donors and grants.

Jim has taught us new methods of raising larger levels of capital using his arsenal of planned giving strategies. I am very grateful to have someone like Jim available to attend meetings with larger sponsors and explain in detail how they can benefit while supporting our program.

We will continue conducting our events and pursuing grants however Jim is guiding us through. new strategies to take Fish for Life to a whole new level.

Thanks Jim!

"I highly recommend Jim for any position in the sales and fund development arena. He is a 'can do' person who doesn't let 'no' dull his focus on results. He has an amazing talent for following up on 'leads' and cultivating donors on a strategic, long-term basis.

His enthusiasm is contagious. He built a fundraising team from scratch with people who really knew little about raising money or how to use their contacts. He has kept the momentum going over this past year even with bumps in the road that would have discouraged many. He is a professional in his approach to development, extremely ethical and definitely hard working. Any organization that hired him would be lucky to have him. More info - Carol Stone, 714-637-5055"