2010: Building Opportunities Campaign

Program Goal

The goal of the Building Opportunities Campaign is to establish a capital campaign for the new Junior League of Baltimore headquarters. The headquarters is multipurpose facility that can accommodate the thrift store, office space, meeting rooms and space for community use.

Program Description

Recognizing the need for a permanent facility for its The Wise Penny Thrift Store, which provides 40 percent of its annual budget, the League spearheaded the Building Opportunities Campaign, a $1.1 million capital campaign that is the largest capital project in the Govans section of Baltimore in the last decade. The Govans section is in the poorer part of town and where many of the League’s community projects are located. In addition to the thrift shop, the new facility includes office space, meeting rooms, and training facilities that collectively respond to a previously unmet need for a safe gathering place within the community.

The League engaged members throughout the process—enlisting them to cultivate donors, write grant applications, and manage construction, among other activities. Members testified at public hearings at the State Capitol, advocated for bills at public hearings, and tapped new government sources.

Results/Outcomes

In its 95+ years in operation, the Junior League of Baltimore had never undertaken a capital campaign. The League set up a Building Opportunities Committee to develop a plan and began a diversified solicitation process. The committee secured $200K of pledges from the Board, Past Presidents, and other leaders. They hosted cocktail parties, pre-GMM gatherings, made personal asks and hosted hard hat tours to solicit donors. They obtained over $400K from individuals.

The League was successful at identifying and securing public funding from a state bond bill for capital projects with dedicated matching funds. League members experienced calling elected representatives, letter writing, meeting with delegates and attending public hearings. Many League members gained the experience of advocating for public funds and successfully working the process. One additional result of this successful campaign is the League now has sufficient space in its headquarters for its membership and other meetings.

Evaluation

The League was able to raise over a million dollars and implement their capital campaign. Over $500,000 was raised from individual members.