Solanco Neighborhood Ministries
Location: Quarryville, PA
Organization Type: Social Services
Services Provided: Feasibility Study, Grantwriting, Ongoing Campaign Support, Donor Recognition, Special Events, Volunteer Recruitment, Building a Major Donor Tracking System
Goal: $1.3 Million
Raised: $1.5 Million
Solanco Neighborhood Ministries (SNM) provides services and counseling to individuals and families in crisis in Southern Lancaster County (Solanco). Since its founding in 2012, it has brought members of the community in need together with faith-based organizations and groups to solve critical food insecurity, housing, and financial issues.
SNM provides the hub and resources for its staff and partners to offer services, workshops and classes that help low-income families get on their feet: nourished, clothed, in safe housing, and on the path to financial security. As the demand for programs, classes and resources grew, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, SNM outgrew its leased space. It became difficult to serve families with no transportation, or provide a space for willing faith-based partners to roll up their sleeves and help.
After years of searching for a more accessible, permanent home, SNM had the opportunity to purchase and renovate their new building in downtown Quarryville. They had previously relied on the generosity of individuals, local businesses, and local congregations for annual operating support but had never had an organized major gift program or sought funding from local foundations. With a total project budget in excess of $1M, SNM realized that they needed professional fundraising counsel to guide them in their campaign. They were referred to Susan Broomell, LDC Senior Partner and Consultant, by members of the SNM Board who knew Susan from her involvement in the local community and as having served the Southern End Community Association (SECA) during their recent successful fundraising campaign.
With Susan’s leadership, LDC conducted a limited fundraising feasibility study, created a campaign plan and timeline, recruited a strong team of campaign volunteers, worked with staff and volunteers to create a list of 150+ potential major campaign donors, created a campaign prospect tracking system, coached the Executive Director and campaign volunteers on best practices, and drafted successful grant applications.
Our partnership elevating the power of fundraising at SNM helped them exceed the goal of their first-ever capital campaign, the Faith. Community. Cares. Capital Campaign. Through numerous building tours, increased PR and marketing efforts, campaign events, and a brand-new cadre of dedicated SNM volunteers, the public awareness of SNM’s work in the community was greatly increased. The campaign not only produced the necessary funding to complete the building purchase and renovations without the need for any long-term financing, but it raised additional funding to increase programming. Additionally, they acquired many first-time donors; several campaign volunteers have now become SNM board members; their annual funding has increased due to much greater awareness of the needs of the community; and they were able to add a new full-time Director of Programming to continue their growth as a sustainable model of community care.