Gloria Deo Academy, based in Springfield, MO, has been a beacon of Christ-centered education since 2005. Their mission is to cultivate individuals who impact their communities for the glory of God through service, leadership, and character. Their values—Christian, Classical, and Collaborative—are woven into every aspect of their educational approach.
Faced with the challenge of expanding their facilities to accommodate a growing student body, Gloria Deo needed a comprehensive capital campaign that would resonate with parents of current students, former students, and faculty. They required a campaign that not only highlighted the progress already made but also the excitement of what could be achieved through future donations.
Campaign Staples That Stand the Test of Time
A capital campaign contains many different components—from booklets that must be not only informative but eye-catching, to greeting cards that seamlessly express your genuine gratitude for the help of others. While these details may seem minute, they can significantly impact the effectiveness of a campaign. Through multiple in-depth collaborations and group expertise, Abstract Union created campaign materials that resonated with the community and captured GDA’s goal of creating an environment where kids can thrive.
A campaign logo is oftentimes the first connection people will see to a capital campaign. It needs to feel both familiar and fresh, helping to excite the viewer about the new mission. To showcase Gloria Deo’s campaign theme, “All In His Time,” the outer edges of the logo mimic the face of a clock with the hands on either side surrounded by the school’s name. In the center, the campaign title is housed within a purple hourglass.
The campaign booklet is where vision of the campaign comes full circle. It visually lays out not only the progress that has been made but all of the exciting projects ahead with the help of donors. With a booklet that is engaging and thoughtfully crafted, every viewer can see how they can be part of the campaign mission.
A pledge card and envelope is where the mission of a campaign begins to become tangible. Donors have a place to make their contribution visible as well as communicate their plan for giving. The non-profit is able to begin calculating a total amount together and quickly see the progress that is being made. Because GDA’s campaign took place over 3 years, the pledge cards had 2 different iterations. The first pledge card focused on completing Phase 1 and starting Phase 2 of the renovations while the second pledge card honed in on the renovations that had been completed for Phase 1 and 2, due to the success of the campaign, and then looked toward starting Phase 3 and Special Projects. Not only were current donors able to see the progress that was being made during the campaign but it also helped entice possible new donors to see that big things were happening for Gloria Deo in a short amount of time.
No Time Like the Present to Reach Out
Special missions deserve to have special packaging. A campaign folder is an excellent tool to give to major donors that contains the scope and plan of your initiative. The packet envelope provides a home for all the materials that can help propel your campaign forward. With vibrant exteriors and careful consideration to the contents inside, your outreach is sure to make an impression.
The goals that are set for a capital campaign are special, ones that you want to draw attention to. With a custom letterhead and mailing envelope, your contacts to parents, former students, and faculty members are sure to not only make the reader feel important but also see how their contribution can help turn those dreams into a reality.
The Timing is Right for a Campaign Event
Specially designed event invitations and RSVP cards are a great way to get donors and the community excited to celebrate the campaign and all that can be achieved. Cohesive and thoughtful envelopes house the important details and help the recipient see the important part they can play in the campaign’s success. Since this campaign spanned over 3 years, the invitations changed year-to-year to reflect the updated information for each banquet, including time and different special guests. While the information presented may differ, the theme of the campaign stayed consistent throughout each invitation through the use of a cohesive color scheme, type, and layout.
Nothing makes a person feel more special than receiving a hand-written note. Using thank you cards and envelopes, you can write your gratitude or call to action with a specific reader in mind. Your note will undoubtedly leave an impact.
Signage that Works Around the Clock
You want to reach as many donors as possible to make your campaign a success. A background banner gives you a large backdrop to match the size of your initiative. Becoming part of the event or community space, it not only serves as a visual reminder of the campaign’s mission but also where donors can snap a pic and show their pride in being part of something that is so meaningful.
Together, our goal was to create a campaign that engaged a variety of donors including faculty members, parents of current students, and alumni. We wanted to create a campaign that showcased not only the progress made but also the important projects ahead and displayed Gloria Deo's values in continuing to serve children with a Christ-centered education. This required a meticulous strategy to craft clear and unified campaign materials that would appeal to a diverse audience and communicate the significance of each donation.
Using a team-based approach with an in-house staff as well as utilizing design experience from hundreds of other campaigns, Abstract Union creates campaign materials that each the individual mission of each organization while streamlining the process. We guide clients along the way, ensuring that campaign components are not only well-made but also thoughtful and tailored to their organization. Your vision isn’t cookie-cutter, your campaign materials shouldn’t be either.
Gloria Deo tasked Abstract Union with crafting an engaging campaign for all ages, with a clear message, signs of progress, and goals for the future. This included not only campaign materials but also events to celebrate their achievements. In the second edition of the campaign, we ensured that all deliverables were tied to a theme used within the school, reinforcing the campaign's message and creating a cohesive experience for donors.
With a dedicated, experienced, and collaborative team, Abstract Union creates capital campaigns that resonate with your donor base while also streamlining the process. We help make your organization's aspirations a reality by delivering clear, cohesive, and compelling communication tools. Abstract Union can be a valuable partner to your organization's success, simplifying complex tasks and ensuring that every campaign component is crafted with care and precision.
For an example of another school capital campaign we have created, check out our post: “Christian School Capital Campaign Examples for OSC”. This post showcases our ability to create campaign materials that communicate a unique message and have an effective design that engages a community.
We are honored to have been able to assist GDA in their mission to provide a Christ-centered education to more students. Through this partnership, we have demonstrated our ability to create striking, engaging, and customized campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences and help organizations achieve their goals. By focusing on the unique needs of each client, Abstract Union continues to set the standard for creating compelling capital campaigns that drive results and make a lasting impact. Whether you are embarking on a new project or looking to enhance an existing campaign, we are here to help you every step of the way.
