The merger of Convergent and Resource Development Group, announced at the International Economic Development Council Leadership Summit, creates a unified organization that now operates as RDG, a Convergent Company. This partnership combines two respected fundraising firms under a shared strategy while preserving their individual strengths and reputations in the marketplace.
Under the new structure, the company fully aligns expertise and resources to meet specific market needs, with RDG spearheading economic development and chamber of commerce markets. The organization will execute capital campaigns for multi-year public-private partnerships and workforce development efforts, addressing what Brian Abernathy, General Manager of Convergent, described as increasingly critical economic development fundraising needs. "Our clients will benefit from the unique expertise of each of us," Abernathy said, noting that RDG will operate as before but now as part of a larger, integrated team supporting economic development fundraising nationwide.
The merger brings together Resource Development Group's proven record of board-led, high-value capital campaigns for economic development entities in large and mid-sized markets with Convergent's nationwide reach across various market sizes. Convergent's platform emphasizes research, data management, and disciplined execution, creating what the organization claims is the largest dataset on economic development fundraising campaigns and donor/investors in the United States. This comprehensive data trove reflects decades of campaign data, donor engagement, and investor relations best practices, enabling informed strategies and real-time campaign execution adjustments.
Clients will continue working with their trusted RDG and Convergent professionals, who now offer extended capacity, enhanced infrastructure, and greater specialization. Clint Nessmith, CEO of RDG, emphasized continuity for clients, stating, "For economic development fundraising, we operate as RDG, a Convergent Company. Clients will continue working with the trusted team, now backed by broader capacity that complements our expertise." Both the Convergent and RDG brands will remain visible in the marketplace, underscoring trust and continuity for existing clients.
The merged organization provides several key benefits to clients, including a single integrated team with fundraising know-how and proven success, continued relationships with both RDG and Convergent professionals, increased capacity and expertise, and support for larger, multi-year, board-led capital campaigns. The organization also offers flexible proposals from either RDG or Convergent, tailored to specific client needs. Convergent plans to expand its philanthropic-focused consulting, supporting education and nonprofit sectors including community colleges, YMCAs, Boys & Girls Clubs, and arts organizations, while maintaining its economic development engagement in current markets.
The organization leverages what it calls its Investment Driven Model™ and Organizational Value Proposition™ to translate client outcomes into specific benefits for existing stakeholders and potential donors. This merger represents a significant consolidation in the economic development fundraising sector, creating an organization with unprecedented data resources and nationwide reach that could potentially reshape how public-private partnerships and workforce development initiatives secure funding across the United States.
