International Institute St. Louis - St. Louis, Missouri
Open To All
Although the influx of refugees is decreasing nationally, the St. Louis refugee community is burgeoning due to the quality of transitional services provided by the International Institute. As the largest refugee resettlement agency in Missouri, the International Institute found itself rapidly running out of space - clients were literally shoulder to shoulder as they studied English, waited for a health screening, or participated in cultural orientations. In order to continue to meet the ever-increasing demand for its services, the International Institute needed to find a new facility. Thankfully, a local bank heard of the Institute's need and gifted the organization a larger, more suitable property in the heart of the City's thriving International District. The location was ideal, but the structure needed substantial renovations.
The New Beginnings campaign provided the funds necessary for the relocation of the International Institute into its new headquarters. The new facility includes five meeting rooms for group activities and ethnic organization meetings, nine spacious classrooms that can accommodate up to 400 students daily, private conference rooms, and the Institute's first ever computer lab, which has provided a key resource for job training. Because of the $2.5 million campaign, the International Institute can successfully guide refugees towards a life of independence and productivity in Metropolitan St. Louis.
What Made It Happen?
The International Institute did not have an established fundraising program prior to launching the New Beginnings campaign. The Board of Directors asked Skystone Ryan to help them develop a detailed fundraising plan for a capital campaign. By conducting a pre-campaign planning study, Skystone Ryan discovered great community enthusiasm for the agency and the proposed project. The campaign provided the first opportunity the Institute had to ask its Board to invest in the agency at the major gifts level. After careful preparations, the Board Gifts Phase raised well over $200,000. Then, several successful lead gift solicitations, including a challenge grant, resulted in an evaluation of the overall campaign plan and the doubling of the goal from $1.25 million to $2.5 million. With its goal achieved and a fundraising program in place, the International Institute is open to welcome refugees and immigrants to a successful new beginning in the United States.
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