Case Study: Temple Rodef Shalom
Case Study Summary
Location: Falls Church, VA
Sector: Religious, Jewish
Campaign Goal: $16 Million
Services: Campaign planning study, capital campaign consulting, post-campaign philanthropic strategy
To meet the needs of a growing membership, Temple Rodef Shalom needed to expand its campus and create more space for its thriving Jewish community. However, a prior lackluster campaign left donors and lay leaders uncertain about the level of success they could achieve.
The Heller Fundraising Group guided the temple to raise $16 million by implementing a new fundraising strategy rooted in a positive message—A Home for the Future of Judaism—and fostered a culture of philanthropy that lasted well beyond the campaign’s end.
The Backstory
Temple Rodef Shalom is a reform synagogue with 1,800 member families, located in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. To accommodate its growing congregation, TRS purchased an adjacent lot and developed a plan to add 15,000 square feet of additional space.
When the Heller Fundraising Group launched our planning study, TRS had already initiated campaign preparation and raised $1 million from a single donor. Our study showed that the community was excited about the temple’s future, but many were uncertain that TRS could raise the necessary funding.
With a forward-looking strategy, the Heller Fundraising Group steered TRS to realize its vision for the future of Judaism by successfully raising $16 million.
The Challenges
TRS’s overflowing sanctuary, social hall, classrooms and meeting rooms were a testament to the temple’s embrace of Jews seeking meaning and connection in changing times. However, several challenges stood in the way of their vision for the future of Judaism.
Lingering uncertainty
TRS’s prior campaign raised $9.6 million to construct a beautiful addition to the temple—but their efforts fell short of their $20 million goal. Members expressed a lack of confidence in TRS’s ability to successfully raise $16 million.
Outdated strategies
Like many synagogues, TRS’s fundraising outreach historically used messages with abrupt requests for support.
Overcoming barriers
Our planning study targeted two lead gifts of $5 million and $2.5 million, but several challenges delayed a lead gift until late in the campaign.
“When we were choosing a consultant, it was clear to me that Peter and the Heller Group would listen to me, that they would be collaborative, that they wouldn’t just tell me what to do.”
— Hannah Moore, Director of Philanthropy, Temple Rodef Shalom
Communicate often
Before and during the campaign public phase, we worked with Director of Philanthropy Hannah Moore to host informal meetings at congregants’ homes to review TRS’s vision andand give members an opportunity to discuss the project. These meetings created momentum for the campaign and strengthened relationships.
The Strategy
Look ahead
Working closely with Senior Rabbi Amy Schwartzman, we wrote a case for support that deliberately anchored the campaign in a positive message that directly linked the community to the future of Judaism with an inspiring vision rooted in meaningful traditions, a relevant and modern congregational life, and a transformative experience in TRS.
Stick with it
When several barriers delayed a lead $3 million gift until late in the campaign, we worked with TRS on a donor wall strategy, phone and text banking, and a “last chance” match to carry TRS over its goal.
“It’s very hard to execute a campaign entirely internally. Sometimes organizations don’t want to spend the money on a consultant, but it’s invaluable. You can raise more money if you have someone guiding you—especially when you come up against moments that you weren’t expecting. You need someone to help you strategize about the rocks in the road.”
— Hannah Moore, Director of Philanthropy, Temple Rodef Shalom
The Results
TRS’s three-year campaign, A Home for the Future of Judaism, ended with more than $16 million raised and a transformational 85,000-square-foot building with room to foster their vision for the world. As an added bonus, the new construction included a small chapel—a dream project deferred from the previous campaign.
$16 million campaign goal
$16,173,459 raised during the campaign despite not securing a lead $5 million gift
1,121 total donors
194 donors made multi-year pledges totaling $12,323,422 more than 75% of the total raised
$16,173,459 million raised
There’s more to the story.
Read the full case study to see how we guided Temple Rodef Shalom to their most successful campaign yet.
Then schedule a free strategy session to find out how the Heller Group can help you.