Success Stories

Client Spotlight: Catholic Charities of Dallas

Jerry F. Smith firmly believes that there is no shortage of money for donations, but that donors are looking for big, bold investment opportunities. This core principle of fund-raising is evident in Catholic Charities of Dallas' current endowment campaign.

In November of 2008, Catholic Charities of Dallas launched Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, a Campaign for Catholic Charities Endowment Trust. To date, the agency has raised almost $7 million. The organization is looking to build upon that success with more gifts and pledges in the coming months from the Dallas community.

The success of the campaign cannot be attributed to a mere handful of big donors. In fact, the majority of pledges have been $50,000 or less. These gifts account for one-third of the total raised to date. Despite the current economic environment, Catholic Charities of Dallas' supporters are digging deep to find a way to support this very important family service agency.

The agency has over 163 associates. These individuals, from all walks of life, have varying gift capabilities, including many below the poverty line. Yet every single staff member has made a gift or pledge to the endowment campaign, illustrating their dedication to the success of the cause.

"The very existence of Catholic Charities has been supported by the grace of God and the unwavering commitment of its supporters, volunteers and staff," says Sister Mary Anne Owens, SSND, Executive Director. "Even those without abundant wealth are finding a way to support our mission."

Catholic Charities of Dallas' endowment will provide the stable funding required to meet the needs of a rapidly growing diocese and will help fulfill the mission.

Ensuring that Catholic Charities will not waiver in its basic services of finding an adoptive home for a child, providing a meal for the hungry, sharing companionship with the elderly, empowering the vulnerable with self sufficiency, training the under- and unemployed and advocating for the poor.
Providing long-term funding for current programs, which guarantees consistent service to those in need year after year.
Allowing Catholic Charities to continue to expand its services into additional areas.

The generous financial response to Catholic Charities' solicitations is a great example of one of the basic principles in fund-raising: If donors believe in an organization's mission statement, they will give.

Do your constituents believe in your organization's mission statement?

Keys to a Successful Campaign: Southwest Christian School

By Tom Mueller, Executive Vice President, Southwest Christian School

Southwest Christian School in Fort Worth, Texas, is a "distinctively Christian" school. So when we considered doing a capital campaign, the first thing we did was bathe that decision in prayer and ask God for His blessing and direction. We have trusted the Lord in this whole process and have stepped out in faith knowing that this capital campaign is about honoring Him and giving Him the praise and glory.

The feasibility study conducted by the J.F. Smith Group was very important in helping us get off to a good start in our capital campaign. They interviewed about 100 SCS families. From those interviews we came up with our campaign projects, based on the dollar amount the J.F. Smith Group projected we could reach. The families reaffirmed the mission of Southwest Christian School and also gave us great feedback on how we were doing as a school in many different areas. This information was invaluable.

Another key to getting off to a successful start in our campaign was reaching 100% participation by our SCS Board of Directors, faculty and staff. SCS families really bought into the campaign when they saw the unanimous support of our board, faculty and staff.

Lastly, the support and direction of our Executive Planning Committee has been tremendous. Having the right leadership in place is critical to the success of any capital campaign.

South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University President David L. Chicoine initiated a campus-wide strategic planning process. That's how it all began. Based on the priorities articulated in the strategic plan and the definitive opportunities identified in the feasibility study conducted by the J.F. Smith Group in 2007, it was clear to SDSU leadership that the university should begin the planning phase of a comprehensive campaign.

Auburn University Athletics

In late 2000/early 2001, the president and board of trustees at Auburn University saw a group of needs within the athletics department. After contracting with the J.F. Smith Group to conduct an assessment of the department and a feasibility study, the results bore out their assumptions and the Auburn Athletics Department moved forward with their first ever capital campaign, The Legends Campaign. This campaign was done in conjunction with the university's It Begins at Auburn Campaign.

Decatur Heritage Christian Academy