Vision and reality can be worlds apart for most organizations. Blending the two into one strategic and development goal takes a comprehensive plan, drive, passion and the ability to work as a team, putting the ultimate goal ahead of individual or organizational history or limitations.

The Sioux Falls Catholic Schools’ (SFCS) Building on Excellence Capital Campaign is one of those success stories which jumps off the development page. SFCS combined its vision with outstanding leadership to successfully raise more than $49 million to meet its needs.

“Our campaign general chairs took a strong role in pushing us forward to accomplish these amazing results and your professional staff (Steier Group) was able to flexibly integrate your very successful campaign model with the additional ideas generated by our chairs,“ said Mike Flynn, executive director of SFCS Foundation. “The combination proved to be a winner!”

Due to this success story, SFCS is in the process of completely rebuilding three entire classroom wings, adding a new auditorium and performing arts center, as well as adding new field turf to McEneaney Field and expanding its track, all while increasing teacher salaries and providing tuition assistance to deserving families.

The key was providing donors with the flexibility to include endowment and estate gifts as components of the campaign. As the momentum of the effort moved forward, the ability for donors to be passionate and creative with their gifts proved to be instrumental to the campaign’s success.

Comprehensive planning, leadership and creativity forged a cohesive bond at SFCS. That bond enabled SFCS to take its expansive vision and create a permanent reality.