menno haven retirement community
Location: Chambersburg, PA
Organization Type: Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Services Provided: Capital Campaign
Original Goal: $11M ($6M current gifts, $5M planned gifts)
Raised: $21.7M ($11.8M current gifts, $9.9M planned gifts)
Founded in 1964, Menno Haven is one of the tri-state area’s most respected Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC), offering the highest quality of service in independent living, personal care, and skilled nursing on two campuses in Chambersburg, PA.
True to its mission to be an organization that nurtures the human spirit, is passionate about service and demonstrates God’s love, one person at a time, Menno Haven has kept pace with the evolving needs of its residents and the industry throughout its long history, expanding offerings and services through land acquisitions, new facilities, building renovations, enhanced amenities, and state-of-the-art care options—without ever having to engage in a significant fundraising campaign.
In 2016 the Menno Haven Board of Directors approved a bold strategic initiative called Project Genesis to provide new spaces and amenities for their residents including four new, bold projects—a Rehabilitation Center, a Resident Life Center, two Memory Care Houses, and a Health Care Center. The goal of these new person-centered care environments is to allow residents and guests the freedom of choice in their day to day lives, rather than being dictated by building design limitations, a rigid schedule or a “one size fits all” model of care.
Knowing that the cost of the four projects would exceed Menno Haven’s financial capacity, Menno Haven engaged LDC to conduct a fundraising feasibility study and then plan and help execute a capital campaign to generate funds to help offset construction costs. Working closely with Menno Haven leadership-both volunteer and staff-LDC created the campaign structure, recommended the initial minimum goal of $11M, helped recruit a robust Campaign Executive Committee, Campaign Steering Committee, and Campaign Communications Committee, trained volunteer solicitors, created the structure for “Get In the Know Gatherings”, recommended strategies for major gift prospects, and ensured that the campaign process kept on track.
Menno Haven had raised approximately $17.8M when the Covid-19 outbreak began. LDC provided remote support and encouragement during the initial frightening months of the pandemic and then worked with Menno Haven to find safe and appropriate ways to continue the campaign and keep the momentum going.
Menno Haven is committed to the security of its residents including financial security. They stand by their promise to never ask a resident who has outlived their resources to leave. One of the most important goals of the Campaign was to reinforce and grow Menno Haven’s Benevolent Fund. The total funds raised for the Benevolent Fund as part of the campaign exceeded $6.2 million.