Success Stories
The Valentine Richmond History Center – Richmond, Virginia
The Valentine Richmond History is now in its second century of serving as a regional historical resource for students, citizens and scholars alike.
While the Center had successfully conducted a silent campaign in 2001-2003 to raise $3 million to restore two of its historic buildings and build the annual fund, it continued to face numerous financial challenges. When The Sheridan Group conducted its Feasibility Study in 2004 to test a $15 million combination of capital, endowment and current program initiatives, we found an organization fully recognizing and addressing a structural deficit and volunteer leadership fully prepared to lead and to give. It was very clear to us that an immediate campaign focusing on endowment and program funding was not an option but a necessity.
The Center’s Board and key volunteer leaders were more than equal to the task. During 2005, the Center successfully met an initial $5 million Second Century Campaign Nucleus Fund Phase goal, primarily from current and former board members and long-time donors. The Campaign has now successfully launched a Leadership Gifts campaign and is on its way to achieving a $10 million goal, before going public.
As its endowment and program funding has grown, the Center has also secured specific funding for much stronger public relations and communications programming as well as educational and outreach programming. Public perception of the Center’s positive impact in many communities has grown significantly and this has helped encourage corporation and foundation giving to complement the giving of longstanding individual supporters.
The Sheridan Group’s role was to encourage and plan an immediate three phase campaign effort which, through a Nucleus Fund Campaign, built the Center’s capacity for success both financially and in ensuing campaign phases. As well, our ongoing counsel has helped moderate changes in leadership and adjustments in planning as the campaign has gone forward.
