Capital Campaign and Expansion

Challenge: Housing Families First, a Central Virginia nonprofit that serves families with children facing housing instability and homelessness, was approaching the end of a highly successful capital campaign. The campaign, which was the largest in the organization’s history, raised over $4.5 million to expand its campus and programs serving families. Housing Families First wanted to build on this momentum and celebrate its newly expanded campus.

Solution: Housing Families First engaged Gray Ryan Communications to develop and implement a communications strategy that would showcase the expanded campus and bring greater visibility to the organization. Gray Ryan Communications crafted a strategy to leverage the campus grand opening event for maximum impact. The campaign included strategic messages and talking points; fact sheets about Housing Families First, the capital campus, and the campus; and proactive media relations.

Bottom Line: The campaign was a huge success for Housing Families First. The grand opening event was at capacity and included multiple local news outlets. Media coverage about the expanded campus included 15 placements in print, online, radio, and TV outlets. The organization was profiled extensively. Additionally, op-ed and letters to the editor recognized the community support for Housing Families First, building significant goodwill.