Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio

Undertaking an Organization’s First Capital Campaign

Problem:

The Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio provides a safe place for young people to reach their full potential as productive, caring and responsible citizens through ongoing relationships with adult professionals via life-enhancing programs and character development, in order to give them hope and opportunity.  The organization was seeking to build a new facility to meet the needs of young people in an area south of downtown San Antonio.

Solution:

Boys and Girls Clubs hired Lee+ Associates to conduct a wide-ranging feasibility study to ascertain whether the goal of $75 million was attainable, to learn whether the mission and vision of the organization resonated with potential supporters, and if a new clubhouse facility would address the assessed needs of youth in the area.

What Lee+ Associates delivered:

Amy Phipps, the associate who worked on the feasibility study, said that the goals of the nonprofit were shared with civic leaders and potential funders. “They were really receptive to the idea of building a new facility and expanding the programs beyond being a safe place where kids can play basketball, to being a safe place where kids can do homework, be mentored, be tutored and have access to the arts, and STEM activities.”

As a result of the findings of the feasibility study, the organization launched a $75 million comprehensive campaign to build a new clubhouse to serve youth south of the city center and to expand programs and make renovations to the existing six clubhouses throughout the community. Phipps said, “They considered the input from the feasibility study and launched the campaign after careful consideration. The Board and staff were terrific. For a first-time venture it went very well.”

Result:

As a result of Lee+ Associates’ feasibility study and campaign counsel, the Boys and Girls Clubs of San Antonio broke ground on the new clubhouse in October 2015 with plans to have the new facility open by Fall 2016. Its first comprehensive campaign, “Invest in a Child: Build a Great Future” campaign, has been successful in bringing in new donors and building interest and enthusiasm for the mission of Boys and Girls Clubs, and raised more than $10.9 million in its first year.

“We are thrilled to expand our reach in the San Antonio community so even more youth can benefit from our resources,” said Angie Mock, Boys & Girls Clubs of San Antonio CEO. “They say it takes a village, and the Mays Family Clubhouse is a prime example of what an entire community can come together to create with the purpose of giving our youth a place to focus on achieving academic success and building strong character. This is an investment in the youth of today to ensure our community will thrive for many years to come.”

“With the help of Lee+ Associates, Boys & Clubs conducted a feasibility study and a successful comprehensive capital campaign. This was the first time in the organization’s history that we embarked on such a momentous task, but with Bacon Lee every step of the way, our board, staff, and campaign committee had all the tools they needed to succeed.”