Urban Ministries of Wake County (UMWC) leads a list of firsts in our community. Launched in Raleigh in 1981, UMWC was one of the first ecumenical organizations formed to serve individuals impacted by poverty. Four years later, they opened one of the first free and charitable medical clinics in the state.

In 2004, UMWC became Armstrong McGuire’s first capital campaign partner. Together, we celebrated a successful $7 million campaign that transformed UMWC’s space, accessibility, and breadth of service offerings to Wake County’s citizens in need.

Twenty years later our partnership continues.

Early 2000s

Founding Executive Director Ann Burke recalls the state of UMWC in the early 2000s:

“UMWC was providing services with grossly inadequate facilities. The food pantry lacked large, refrigerated units, thus limiting storage of perishable food items. The Open Door Clinic had been operating as a free clinic for roughly fifteen years, serving primarily uninsured persons with acute illnesses. The number of patients with long-term chronic illness was increasing daily. It was clear the Clinic could not meet that growing need without expanding space and staff.”

Burke continued, “WakeMed, a partner in care at the time, committed $1M to UMWC to address the need for expanded services, provided UMWC could raise the additional $4 million required to expand the Clinic’s hours and services. The expansion would allow the agency to expand its food pantry and other services as well. The board, staff, and volunteers agreed to embark on a capital campaign to raise the additional funds.”

Enter Armstrong McGuire

Former Development Director Nancy Sumner recalls, “The donor base of Urban Ministries at that time was mostly stable but had not added new funders of significance in recent years. The agency tended to rely on entities that had supported it for lengthy periods of time. We were not consistently intentional with our external cultivation and solicitation.”

Burke added, “The major lesson learned from our relationship with Armstrong McGuire was to think bigger—increase the donor base, not only in terms of the number of funders but the diversity of sources of funds. Staff learned a new language that allowed for better communication between staff and potential funders. Even though we stewarded our donors, the campaign experience emphasized the value of stewardship with all donors on an improved and systematic basis.”

Sumner and Burke agreed that the lessons learned in the capital campaign shaped planning in a more strategic manner across the organization. Burke said, “With a more focused strategy, agency activities were streamlined to better align with the goals.” Sumner added, “We stayed committed to face-to-face fundraising after the campaign, and with a greater understanding of our fundraising objectives, staff enthusiastically engaged in the cultivation process with our donors and prospects.”

In other words, said Burke, “Everyone was “singing on the same page of the songbook.”

Twelve Years Later Ann Burke Announces Her Retirement

Burke offers her reflection of that time

“Once I announced my retirement as Executive Director, the board and I agreed we would launch an executive search for my successor. UMWC had grown exponentially over my 30 years as executive director, and it was clear the agency would need strong leadership going forward. The search committee considered several community partners and chose Armstrong McGuire to lead the search as we had had such a successful relationship working with Bert and Tom leading our capital campaign 7 years earlier. We knew we would have a successful search with their help.”

Burke continued, “Once we identified the ideal candidate for my position (Dr. Peter Morris) but realized he would not be available for approximately 18 months, I reconsidered my retirement date and agreed to stay on until he could take the helm. While this development was challenging, I was able to keep things on an even keel during this time, while waiting for my successor. The additional months helped smooth the transition to Peter as he and I met throughout that time to help him understand the depth and breadth of the services of UMWC. It also eased my transition away from my beloved agency, staff, volunteers, and the people I had worked so hard to serve over the past 30 years.”

In 2012, Burke officially retired, and Dr. Morris succeeded her as Executive Director. Burke said, “Urban Ministries and I, personally, owe so much to Armstrong McGuire for their hard, smart work and dedication to doing their best during our leadership transition. Peter was the right leader for us at that time and he was worth waiting for.”

Morris added, “Following Ann’s leadership was no easy task. I am grateful for the time we had together in preparation for her transition and I am proud of the work that we have done since to preserve her legacy of impact in our community.”

Burke added, “Looking back over my years at Urban Ministries I am most proud of the positive impact on the Wake County community of comprehensive health care, shelter with services that have moved homeless people into secure, safe housing, and addressing hunger and nutrition on a broad level. Personally, I will always remember the people, staff members, volunteers, and partners, all of whom enriched my life and helped me know that we were always doing good work.”

Refocusing After the Pandemic

In 2023, UMWC again partnered with Armstrong McGuire to help evaluate their current strengths and opportunities as board and staff leaders continue to look to the future.

Board Chair Rob Chenoweth said, “Armstrong McGuire has been a trusted partner for two decades. They know us, yet they bring an objective perspective which is critical. We can count on their counsel to help us make decisions that will strengthen our impact for our clients and our community.”

Armstrong McGuire’s co-founding partner Bert Armstrong said, “We are grateful for every one of our clients, but our partnership with Urban Ministries of Wake County was as transformative for us as it was for them. We sharpened our skills as capital campaign counselors with them. They made us better and 20 years later, those lessons are foundational for us. We are grateful for their partnership. They continue to make us better.”

Today: Closing Another Chapter of Amazing Leadership and Preparing for the Next

After 12 years of innovative leadership, Dr. Morris announced his intention to step away from his role later this year.

“Urban Ministries of Wake County has reinvented itself several times these past 12 years, adapting to meet the present and pressing needs of the community,” Morris said. “It’s time, once again, for Urban Ministries to reinvent itself; this time, under the fresh vision of a new leader.”  

Chenoweth said, “Peter's compassion and vision has built a legacy of hope and healing that will continue to inspire us as we embark on the next chapter of Urban Ministries.”

Armstrong McGuire is partnering with the UMWC board in this search—another set of BIG shoes to fill.

Thank you, Peter, for your steadfast leadership, and UMWC for your partnership!