Most full-time researchers are not currently trained to handle an advanced research function: writing solicitation strategies. CPR's Managing Partner, Tim Halpern, was trained for this function and had a unique opportunity to use his skills.

In 1997, Mr. Halpern served as a senior consultant for the American Museum of Natural History during the final phase of its capital campaign. The Museum has been engaged with pioneering biodiversity work. As endangered species go extinct around the globe at disturbingly record paces, Museum scientists are rushing to categorize species and study them. Simultaneously, artisans and contractors have restored outdated exhibits and built new ones at the Museum such as the Rose Center for Earth & Space. The Museum's educational installations hope to inspirationally teach mankind respect for the natural world. Tim Halpern was the primary author of solicitation strategies for twenty individuals capable of $1-5 million gifts at the Museum of Natural History. These strategies were used by senior Museum fundraising executives as "scripts" to pitch to prospective donors. Some strategies helped secure major gifts to the Museum's campaign. Mr. Halpern was responsible for making the match between different gift opportunities and donor interests. Experienced fundraisers know that major gifts don't "just happen" when someone is highly affluent. The necessary formula has four elements: Access, Capacity, Inclination and Readiness.

Writing solicitation strategies requires a grasp of the big picture, strong writing and conceptual skills and true empathy. In effect, CPR has the ability to entertain conflicting points of view simultaneously.