Trinity Lutheran

In 2003, Trinity Lutheran in Bloomington, Illinois, opened a new school to handle expanding enrollment. The school was built at a new location, so that meant the church and new school were on separate campuses. The two-campus arrangement limited the parish’s ability to collaborate as a staff and faith family. Also, students missed out on the gift of chapel held in an actual sanctuary. In addition, the church had a need for larger gathering space and other improvements. After careful planning and feedback from members, the congregation approved building a new church at the school campus so church and school could be united once again. Trinity partnered with the Steier Group on the Building On the Cornerstone Capital Campaign to accomplish the congregation’s important project. Communication is key in a capital campaign and the Steier Group’s strategy included newsletters and pulpit announcement to educate potential donors about Trinity’s priorities. The Steier Group also raised awareness through professionally produced video testimonials. These 3-to-5-minute videos featured the prayerful journeys of members who supported the campaign. The communications effort and other customized campaign strategies helped Trinity Lutheran raise more than $2.6 million toward achieving its vision.