BISHOP SHANAHAN: BUILDING BLOCKS TO CAMPAIGN SUCCESS
Bishop Shanahan High School
(Downingtown, Chester County) recently completed its third major fundraising effort, this time producing more than $1.5 million for multi-purpose synthetic turf, lighting, and a resurfaced track for its 2,000-seat stadium.
Known as the Turf Campaign, "Our Team. Our Dream." launched in January 2015 following a five-month silent phase. Parents and alumni each directed segmented solicitations, and both united for special fundraising events. Coaches, booster club presidents, and students participated through a "champions phase" that challenged the Shanahan Eagles teams to their own dollar goals.
Today's success, says advancement director Maureen Morin, traces its roots to 2004 when Bishop Shanahan joined other schools in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia's system-wide capital campaign. Shanahan raised $1.6 million, topping its $1 million goal, for stadium seating. A second $1 million Endowment Campaign, began with a silent phase in 2005 and exceeded goal by nearly $250,000 when it finished in 2008.
"Leadership from the top" is key, Morin says. "Our president set the standard at that first campaign by her instruction to professionalize everything." Sister Regina Plunkett, IHM inspires everyone to advance the school's mission, she adds, by providing the resources that allow the team to constantly learn and be knowledgable leaders.
Funds spent on advancement counsel and professional development paid dividends immediately and over time. Shanahan put industry processes and professional standards in place, while introducing donor-centric events and publications.
A CPA and a parent volunteer since 1994, Morin joined the advancement staff for that first campaign and has since structured a team of four. Professional development continues through independent sources and monthly Faith in the Future-hosted workshops and data management training.
In addition to having a visionary school president and strong advancement operations, Morin cites Shanahan's board as essential to the fundraising success. "We have the best advisory board in the diocese," particularly noting Leo Parsons '78 for his influence and direction. "The board's longevity, the leadership structure that's in place, the succession planning that's built into it, and the enthusiasm our board members have for the school's mission make it all happen."
The turf campaign proves her point. "The dedicated leadership of the advisory board and turf committees produced these results," Morin says. Strategic planning and "a school president who really listens and has built years of relationships with so many people" have created a supportive community of major gift donors that will benefit Bishop Shanahan for years to come." Sister Regina, she says, "had all the right people in the right seats in the bus going forward." The board members gave and solicited gifts, and the turf committees met weekly for 24 months "to drive that bus. They made the stadium project a reality for the school and students."
An advancement marathon, or is it a series of major gift campaigns? Morin says the terminology doesn't matter. "We truly believed that everything we did in building those essentials of good processes and talented people would fall into place, and they did."
Visit our publications page for our Annual Report and Summer Progress Report to read more about our commitment to building capacity into our people to lead, teach, and operate 21st-century schools.
