- "The Board of Directors of Meals on Wheels would like to thank you for your efforts in securing $2,000 in grant money for our agency. With a small staff, we do not always have time to pursue these efforts although every penny helps a non-profit! We appreciate you looking out for our needs."

Mary Twenter, Board President, Meals on Wheels, Columbia, MO

- "NFP Group and Rick Rowden knew how to follow through on the purposes in my heart for promoting the National Day of Prayer rally in Columbia. With little notice, he was able to put words together that met all of our marketing needs."

Jeff Huffman, Director of Marketing for Family Worship Center, Columbia, MO

- "On behalf of the board of directors for Meals on Wheels, I would like to thank you for helping us improve the success of our annual Big Wheels fundraiser each of the past two years you have been involved. Because we experienced nearly 20% growth each year, we are confident that your helping hands, ideas and energy were responsible for a large part of the increased revenue from the event. We appreciate your willingness to meet with our planning committee and know your e-mails kept us on our tight timetable! Feel free to share these comments with your other clients and use me as a reference if you desire."

Mary Twenter, Board President, Meals on Wheels, Columbia, MO

- "NFP Group, under the leadership of Rick Rowden, has provided an excellent service to our congregation through the Wake the Neighbors campaign. Our actual WTN Sundays were April 10 & 17, 2005. But the preparation and expectation were just as valuable to our congregation. Rick’s marketing expertise coupled with his genuine heart for reaching unchurched people for Christ was a winning combination for all involved. The WTN campaign was not a rigid program, but an instrument that we readily adapted to meet our goals and vision. From January – April 3 we totaled 57 visitors to our church. On the first Sunday of WTN alone we had 27 visitors, nine of whom accepted Christ that Sunday! About a dozen first time visitors attended April 17. My favorite comment was from an unchurched lady who came back the second week. When I expressed surprise to see her return, she exclaimed, “Well, it was a no-brainer to come back today!” She felt so welcomed. Certainly this emphasis was so positive for our congregation, because it involved everyone at some level. Many people really took ownership in the emphasis, from baking cookies to serving as greeters or name tag distributors. Please accept my wholehearted recommendation for adapting NFP Group’s Wake the Neighbors campaign for your congregation."

Rev. Tracy Cook, Pastor of First Assembly of God, Columbia, MO

- "Mr. Rick Rowden has been involved with A Call To Serve's (ACTS) efforts to provide dietary iodine for residents of Columbia's Sister City, Kutaisi, Georgia, a former Soviet Republic. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, this struggling democracy has faced many challenges, including the realization that the lack of iodine, something we Americans take for granted, was beginning to have a negative effect on its citizens resulting in iodine deficiency diseases in children. The first iodized salt collection campaign was launched and Rick was able to persuade the leadership of his company, then Nowell's Grocery Stores, to join in the effort to supply iodized salt to the children and families of Kutaisi. His involvement contributed to the success of that and follow on campaigns. In 2005, Rick accepted the challenge as campaign chairman with a goal to fund a long-term solution to this problem. Rick's leadership has been steady and his organizational skills have kept the campaign on task. His demeanor is positive and professional at all times. He is a savvy communicator with excellent marketing skills. It is a pleasure working with him."

Robert Ross, City Representative for Salt Solution 2005 Campaign, Columbia, MO

- "My name is Barbara Walker I'm the Executive Director for Community Playground of Columbia Inc., dba FUN CITY Youth Academy (CPCI/FCYA), we are a 35 year old not-for-profit organization in Columbia Missouri. I first met and began working with Rick three years ago when he was with the Central Missouri Food Bank. We worked together coordinating volunteer opprtunities for our Saturday Academy children (ages 5-18), the event that we did annually was "Make a Difference Day". When Rick started his own business and knowing the clientele that he would be working with CPCI/FCYA was excited when Rick had contacted us. Originally Rick had made his presentation to our board to assist with our fundraising campaigns, however at the time we were more in need of someone to assist us in the process of applying as an United Way Member Agency. Rick accepted the task. Rick and I worked very closely together for months and we developed an even stronger professional relationship. As a result of his new found expertise we were accepted as a new United Way Member Agency on 3/16/05. Not bad for his first assisting with this type of a venture. We're currently planning a fundraising dinner and have plans for future collaborations with Rick as well."

Barbara Walker, Executive Director / Saturday Principal, Columbia, MO

- "We engaged Rick Rowden and NFP Group to design and oversee two special outreach Sundays for our church. The results were very gratifying. Rick took my initial ideas and began to do research. In a few days, he returned with a fully-developed program called Wake-the-Neighbors that involved dozens of our church members. He then developed presentation materials for our pastors and board. All the leadership of this church came on board with the planned outreaches. Rick then led in the procurement of the various items we needed to purchase to implement the plan. He also presented the plan to working groups and the steering committee for the outreach. He stayed with our lay coordinator every step of the way. The greatest benefit of the outreach on our church was the involvement of our church people in the bringing of, welcoming of, and caring for first-time visitors. Our attendance for both weeks of the outreach was about 75 more than our average. We had more than 50 first-time visitors, and follow-up was done for all of them. We are seeing lasting effects of the outreach even now."

Pastor Gary Denbow, Christian Chapel, Columbia, MO

- "Mr. Rick Rowden was recently hired by Grace Fellowship Church to help design an action plan and raise money for a building addition to our existing church. Mr. Rowden’s ability to develop a vision and an action plan for the entire project was outstanding and exemplary. Mr. Rowden developed and presented a three phase approach for both the construction and fundraising ideas. Mr. Rowden and the NFP Group serves as a one-stop shop offering fundraising coordination, volunteer recruitment, list of possible donors, presentations of activities to internal and external audiences and fundraising campaigns. Mr. Rowden provides a very high quality service and is an excellent communicator and a highly professional representative for our church. His insight and experience are exceptional and provide an additional value to his customers. Grace Fellowship Church highly recommends Mr. Rowden’s services."

Grace Fellowship Church, Columbia, MO

- "Meals on Wheels had an established fund raiser with our Big Wheels lunch deliveries. Rick Rowden secured corporate sponsors increased our visibility and increased our sales 19%. We were pleased with the creation of a new poster and the e-mails sent to new customers. Rick communicated frequently and his work was done in a timely manner. We would not hesitate to recommend his services to other not-for-profit organizations needing a boost at a reasonable cost."

Marcia Walker, Executive Director / Meals on Wheels of Columbia

- "Rick is a professional businessman and an excellent manager. He is extremely well-organized and will go to great lengths to get a job done well.  In addition to being a great businessman, Rick displays a passionate heart for helping people and has a strong moral character."

Sarah Banks, Marketing Specialist / Central Missouri Food Bank

- "Rick works well with a team, as evidenced by his participation with the many community groups he has helped develop ideas for and worked hand in hand with on special promotions.  I highly recommend Rick Rowden.  I am confident that his resourcefulness, intelligence and enthusiasm will be an asset to your company.  I recommend him without reservation."

Michelle Cropp, Senior Marketing Consultant / Premier Marketing Group

- "Rick has a head for business and heart for people. He has a proven track record of decreasing costs and increasing income, while always keeping the mission at the forefront. He builds good relationships with everyone involved – staff, clients, vendors, media and donors."

Susan Long, Public Relations

- "During his time with the Food Bank, every area or program assigned to Rick was improved upon, and all either met and/or exceeded forecast .  Those areas were food solicitation, agency volunteer hours and event planning."

Rev. Ronald Orr, Director of Business Development / Graves Menu Makers