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 and children to achieve permanent, independent living by providing temporary housing and support services. Services focus on helping women learn the skills needed to overcome homelessness and build healthy, safe and self-sufficient lives.
When LCH approached Giving Tree Associates, it was providing excellent services, had a solid reputation in the community, and increasing demand for its programs. Its recent strategic plan called for expansion of its housing and, to support this growth, an increase in its fundraising.
In Spring 2016, Giving Tree Associates and Lake County Haven launched what would be a multi-year consulting relationship.
- Giving Tree started by conducting a fundraising assessment and recommending ways in which Lake County Haven could expand its fundraising.
- We then transitioned to coaching services to assist with board development and guide LCH’s Branching Out Campaign.
The purpose of the capital campaign was to fund the opening and initial operation of an additional transitional housing program. Giving Tree worked closely with LCH Executive Director Laura Sabino and the campaign’s volunteer leadership to plan and execute the campaign.
LCH had already received a portion of the $985,500 project cost through a government grant, but the grant was contingent on the organization raising funds from private donors within a two-year time period. The campaign fundraising goal was $750,000.
This fall, Lake County Haven surpassed its campaign goal with pledges and donations totaling $765,000! It qualified for the pending government grant and is now poised to create a new transitional housing program to serve more women and children in need.
Lake County Haven is a wonderful example of how a nonprofit can use a capital campaign to not only meet a fundraising goal but also to build a stronger, sustainable fundraising program.
LCH now has a thriving major gifts program with donors who have invested in its future. The organization has a plan for maintaining and building relationships with these donors and an enhanced record-keeping system for 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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