By Joyce Penland, CFRE
As we approach the end of 2015, we want to share some good news about this year’s fundraising successes among our nonprofit friends locally and regionally. Our goal is to counter the often-dismal stories we read about how our state and region is challenged philanthropically, especially in light of recent declines in gas and oil prices, and the continuing unease among investors.
So, we asked a number of our friends to share their significant triumphs in 2015, and we heard some really good news!
Trinity School of Midland reports that its most significant gift this year was $1.2 million “from a family full of School alums that have a long and special history with our School.” Kobi Lincoln, Development Director, noted that Trinity had successfully closed a noteworthy $17 million campaign earlier this year to build new upper school classrooms, administration building, performing arts center and student center and continues to attract loyal support among its donor base.
Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio tells us that it recently publicly announced a $10.9 million capital campaign, “Invest in a Child. Build a Great Future.” The campaign includes the $4.8 million Mays Family Clubhouse, the seventh in the city, which will open Fall 2016. In addition to the new clubhouse, the campaign will fund improvements at three other branches, upgrades to its transportation fleet, and funding for multiple years of operating expenses. The campaign includes $1.8 million from San Antonio’s 2012 Bond Program, and $8.4 million from private gifts including $2 million from the Mays Family Foundation, $1 million each from the Najim Family Foundation and Valero Energy Corp., $750,000 from the Greehey Family Foundation and $500,000 each from Kronkosky Foundation, the Goldsbury Foundation, and Gregg and Erin Popovich. Zuani Maria Villarreal, Director of Development, said only $600,000 remains to be raised towards the campaign goal.
Peterson Regional Memorial Hospital Director of Development, Tom Martin, informed us that it is 32% toward its campaign goal of $ 8.5 million in only five months duration. The goal is to build a Hospice and Home Healthcare building, a new Heart Suite and add needed medical equipment in the regional hospital in Kerrville, TX, and that mission is empowering a strong group of volunteers going into the community for support. The campaign team recently brought in a significant $1 million gift. Martin says it was the “combination of good training, good volunteers, a good mission” that is providing the campaign’s momentum.
Trinity University recently conducted its first “24 Hour Giving Challenge” and invited current and former donors to make a gift during a 24-hour period on Wednesday, October 28. The challenge included the prospect of a matching gift: If 480 donors would give any amount, then three anonymous donors would contribute $24,000 for student scholarships. Cynthia Cortinas Uviedo, Associate Director of Reunion Giving, reported that 863 gifts were received in the allotted time period, meeting the challenge. “It was the highest number of gifts in a single day in Trinity’s history!”
We’re eager to hear your good news! Send us an update of your organization’s significant gifts for 2015 and we’ll include them in a future newsletter. Email me at jpenland@baconlee.com