Congratulations, Lake County Haven (LCH), on completing your first ever capital campaign! Giving Tree is thrilled to have provided guidance on this fundraising journey.
LCH, based in Libertyville, IL, empowers homeless women andchildren to achieve permanent, independent living by providing temporaryhousing and support services. Services focus on helping women learn the skillsneeded to overcome homelessness and build healthy, safe and self-sufficientlives.
When LCH approached Giving Tree Associates, it was providingexcellent services, had a solid reputation in the community, and increasingdemand for its programs. Its recent strategic plan called for expansion of its housingand, to support this growth, an increase in its fundraising.
In Spring 2016, Giving Tree Associates and Lake County Havenlaunched what would be a multi-year consulting relationship.
The purpose of the capital campaign was to fund the opening andinitial operation of an additional transitional housing program. Giving Treeworked closely with LCH Executive Director Laura Sabino and the campaign’svolunteer leadership to plan and execute the campaign.
LCH had already received a portion of the $985,500 project costthrough a government grant, but the grant was contingent on the organizationraising funds from private donors within a two-year time period. The campaignfundraising goal was $750,000.
This fall, Lake County Haven surpassed its campaign goal withpledges and donations totaling $765,000! It qualified for the pendinggovernment grant and is now poised to create a new transitional housing programto serve more women and children in need.
Lake County Haven is a wonderful example of how a nonprofit canuse a capital campaign to not only meet a fundraising goal but also to build astronger, sustainable fundraising program.
LCH now has a thriving major gifts program with donors who haveinvested in its future. The organization has a plan for maintaining andbuilding relationships with these donors and an enhanced record-keeping systemfor tracking touchpoints with supporters.
Executive Director Laura Sabino reflected on the guidance provided by Giving Tree Associates:
“Thank you … for all your wonderful work! We couldn't have done it without you. Your knowledge about how to plan, manage, and execute a capital campaign is extensive. You were also able to translate your expertise in a way that was understandable to us, even though it was our first capital campaign. We learned so much from you…we will be able to take many of the techniques you taught us and implement them into our annual giving program. So, your work with us will continue to benefit the agency, and thus the women and children we serve. Thank you!”
Giving Tree is happy to be providing behind-the-scenes support to this important nonprofit and looks forward to continuing our work together!
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