With a motivational capital campaign theme, Let’s Grow St. Joe!, the vibrant community of St. Joseph Catholic Church and School in Shelbyville, Indiana, embarked on an inspiring journey of renewal and expansion. From the initial stages of planning to the culmination of a successful capital campaign, a spirit of faith, community and purpose propelled St. Joseph forward, nurturing a culture of generosity.
When you drive through the beautiful farmland into Shelbyville, what might catch your eye rising high above the town, are the twin spires of St. Joseph’s Parish. The 150-year-old church needed restoration and repair to bring the beautiful façade back to its original glory. In addition, the master plan included much needed additional parking, a new adoration chapel and a new parish hall.
“Our parish community had a tremendous vision for the future of the parish,” said Fr. Michael T. Keucher, pastor. “It was ambitious! We knew that to accomplish our goals we needed to find trusted advisors and partners to guide us through the campaign process.”
Fr. Mike brought the vision and the enthusiasm, his leadership team brought knowledge and determination, and he found in the Steier Group a partner, “who showed a deep understanding of our parish needs and worked tirelessly for our community.”
Let’s Grow St. Joe! raised nearly $9 million, which was nearly 10 times the parish’s annual offertory! The incredible success was due to a few key priorities of the campaign plan: developing strong relationships with donors, an active and engaged volunteer team with a can-do attitude, and consistent communications with persistent follow-up.
Drawing upon deep connections and existing relationships within the community, Fr. Mike and his campaign chair, Bryan Fisher, identified potential donors early in the process. They took time to meet with stakeholders and share the vision even before the campaign was in its planning stages. Their proactive approach allowed for tailored ask amounts to match capacity and commitment. This strategic approach, coupled with a thorough donor evaluation process, empowered leadership to make compelling gift asks at sacrificial (but respectful) levels, ensuring the viability of the campaign.
Central to St. Joseph’s success was the unwavering dedication of the volunteer team, a long-proven approach to fundraising that the Steier Group implements with all campaigns. Armed with the right attitude and a passion for Fr. Mike’s vision, a volunteer team served as the driving force behind the campaign, mobilizing their time and talents to personally connect with a significant number of families. This approach raised more than half of the overall campaign total, with $5 million in one-time gifts and pledges. Their active engagement and consistent follow-up ensured that no opportunity for support was left unexplored.
The St. Joseph’s community is impressive and worked tirelessly to reach the campaign goals. And, the feeling was mutual, as Fr. Mike said, “What impressed me most about the Steier Group was their ability to bring together all our stakeholders and get them on board with our campaign. They were skilled at communicating the importance of our fundraising goals and inspiring donors to give generously.”
