Seton Catholic High School
Case Study: Capital Campaign Success at Seton Catholic High School
Background
Seton Catholic High School, a large private school in Chandler, AZ, embarked on an ambitious $9.7 million capital campaign titled “Continuing the Commitment.” The campaign aimed to expand the school’s facilities and enhance its programs. Despite having a dedicated group of volunteers, Seton faced significant obstacles, as their largest prior fundraising effort had only raised $40,000, and they had minimal internal fundraising expertise or resources.
The Challenge
Seton Catholic faced several key challenges in launching its first large-scale capital campaign:
Limited Fundraising History: The school’s experience in fundraising was minimal, and the leap from $40,000 to nearly $10 million was daunting.
Inexperienced Volunteers: While engaged and committed, the volunteer team lacked experience in capital campaigns.
Small Staff: Seton’s advancement office was understaffed, requiring significant support in planning and execution.
Donor Engagement: Many potential donors had little or no prior connection to the school, making cultivation and engagement a high priority.
To meet its goals, Seton needed expert guidance on all aspects of the campaign—from strategic planning to volunteer engagement and donor cultivation.
The SNS Solutions
Strawhecker Nonprofit Services (SNS), formerly Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc., partnered with Seton to provide comprehensive consulting support. The SNS team led Seton through a step-by-step process, ensuring each phase of the campaign was executed effectively:
Feasibility Study: SNS began with a feasibility study to assess Seton’s readiness for a large campaign. This provided critical insight into campaign strategy and donor potential within the Phoenix metropolitan Catholic community.
Campaign Planning: A detailed, written campaign plan was created, outlining timelines, donor cultivation strategies, gift recognition programs, and stewardship techniques.
Staffing Support: SNS assisted in hiring and training advancement office staff to build internal capacity for future fundraising efforts.
Volunteer Engagement: The team organized and motivated the volunteer group, providing training and guidance to ensure their active participation.
Comprehensive Services: SNS offered end-to-end support, including public relations, brochure development, grant writing, database setup, and timely communication with staff and volunteers. Their involvement ranged from high-level strategy to day-to-day operational details.
The Outcome
With SNS’s expert guidance, Seton Catholic reached its $9.7 million goal, an unprecedented achievement compared to their previous fundraising efforts. Moreover, the campaign attracted new donors who had no previous connection to the school, expanding Seton’s donor base, community presence, and student population.
The Impact
Thanks to SNS’s support, Seton Catholic High School transformed its approach to fundraising, establishing itself as a capable and professional organization in the eyes of donors. Volunteers became more engaged and confident, while staff developed the skills needed to sustain long-term fundraising efforts.
As Joe Campanella, Co-chair of the campaign, shared:
“Paul J. Strawhecker, Inc. has given us a plan to move forward so we can accomplish our fundraising objectives. Without the firm’s guidance and assistance, we would not be able to anticipate the successful conclusion of our campaign.”
This case highlights how SNS’s hands-on, comprehensive approach can empower organizations to achieve bold goals, even with limited initial experience. SNS continued to support Seton Catholic with other projects as well. The school is now well-positioned to continue raising funds and advancing its mission of providing quality education to its students.