Fundraising Accelerate Economic Growth During Pandemic
Success Story: The Chamber of Greater Springfield
The Situation:
The Chamber of Greater Springfield and Community Improvement Corporation engaged Convergent for their Expand 2024 capital campaign, to fund the delivery of their 2020-2024 strategic initiatives designed to accelerate regional economic growth through four key areas: workforce, building the local economic engine, enhancing liveability, and talent attraction.
Funding Goals:
Raise $3.9 million
A fully-funded strategic initiative allowing the Chamber to focus on economic development opportunities over the next five years
The Challenges:
Summed up in one word: PANDEMIC
The Chamber and Convergent team hosted numerous virtual meetings, in both individual and group settings, proving the organization was a solid resource in an uncertain time for the county’s small and large businesses.
The Convergent Approach:
In 2019, Convergent conducted a feasibility study for the Chamber interviewing almost 60 business and community leaders. The organization’s credibility, outcomes, and fundraising skills (“Asking Rights”) were held in positive regard, with 90 percent of potential investors recognizing the Chamber’s purpose and results achieved over the past few years. A quiet phase funding goal of $3.9 million was set for the capital campaign.
In 2020, fundraising got underway. On March 15, 2020, the Chamber suspended all activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial plan was to pause the campaign for at least 30 days as the country shutdown to slow the spread of the virus.
As the shutdown continued into May, Convergent maintained close contact with Chamber Vice President of Economic Development Horton Hobbs and the campaign co-chairs with a goal of resuming the campaign as soon as safely possible. In June, the campaign restarted.
It was a definite shift in paradigm for fundraising in 2020. The Chamber and Convergent quickly embraced the virtual format and found that there were some positive effects of this new way of fundraising. In the first six months of the pandemic, the Chamber made over 600 calls in support of the business community which resulted in the eventual support of the campaign by organizations assisted by the Chamber. Convergent also utilized over a dozen, well-attended, group virtual meetings. Holding these informational sessions also proved beneficial and significantly increased investments and the number of new investors in the campaign.
The Results:
Attainment of funding goal that was established pre-COVID
Raised dramatically more than the organization ever had before
Significantly expanded Chamber’s investor base
Share
Raised Over
4.1
“Our board has asked if we could have done this campaign without an outside firm and my CEO and I say no. Convergent brought us outside experience and expertise we didn’t have. The timing of our campaign did not make things easy, and our project director was nothing short of amazing. It felt like he was a part of our staff. He helped us close the door and solidify large commitments that were crucial to our campaign.”
Horton Hobbs, VP, Economic Development
Testimonials
Dr. Edna Baehre-Kolovanide
“We have benefited from the Convergent team's extensive experience and knowledge about targeted fundraising. We embarked on a Major Gifts campaign around workforce training needs in five high demand occupational areas of our service area with laser sharp messaging about the ROI for business and industry."
Dr. Edna Baehre-Kolovanide Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA
Andrew Keenan
“The fact that Convergent could make the ask was huge. Working with our director and joining solicitations made me a better fundraiser – that was the right formula for us. Moving forward I feel much more confident in making asks and telling our story, and that is going to make us more sustainable in the long run.”
Andrew Keenan, Executive Director Callanwolde Fine Arts Center | Atlanta, GA
Lisa Zaken
“In the span of six short months, our Board went from being nervous about the initial campaign investment to being ecstatic with the attainment of our goal, and our subsequent stretch goal! Convergent can do it like no other. Their system is rigorous and extremely effective. We have nothing but great things to say about this organization!”
Lisa Zaken, President & CEO Leadership Gwinnett | Duluth, GA
Dion Davis
“The strategy and support offered by Convergent helped our Board expand its vision for the Foundation, which in turn helped to refocus and redefine our organization's impact in our community. The methodology behind their capital campaign process not only helps to raise more money in the immediate, but it also builds best practices for long-term investor relations and lays groundwork for the success of future funding initiatives.”
Dion Davis, Former Executive Director Jekyll Island Foundation | Jekyll Island, GA
Robin Mauck
“Working with Convergent has been a pleasure all the way around. Their approach is customized to your organization and their expertise is unmatched in the field. The Convergent team immersed themselves in our process, culture, and goals to provide exceptional value during our campaign. They truly walk alongside you every step of the way!”
Robin Mauck, Executive Director Obria Medical Clinics Gwinnett | Lawrenceville, GA
Aimee Hall
“I loved working with Convergent. I never could have done what Convergent did. If you want to run a successful campaign, you need to bring in that expertise. Thanks to their help, our capital campaign really took us to the next level within our community.”
Aimee Hall, Executive Director Safe Homes Domestic Violence Center | Augusta, GA
Phillip Aldridge
“I wanted to thank everyone from the Convergent team who assisted in our campaign. Of the varying ways the campaign’s success may be measured, I count it a blessing that we achieved what we did. Not just the funds committed but the contacts made, the level of exposure reached, and ultimately, what the funds and exposure mean in terms of how many more we now serve as a result. My thanks is in recognition and appreciation for Convergent serving as our fundraising counsel and for the patience and professionalism demonstrated throughout the campaign. You were a godsend for Valley Healthcare!”
Phillip Aldridge, Board Chair Valley Healthcare System | Colombus, GA
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The Situation: 
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