Case Study

Updated Facilities + Competitive Programs = A Bright Future

Client: Benet Academy, Lisle, IL

Needed: Capital Campaign, 2009-10 - Development Consulting, Annual Fund Enhancement

In 2000, Benet Academy faced several, pressing facility improvement projects that needed to be completed in order to add and enhance programs and stay competitive with what was happening at peer schools in the suburban Chicago area. After less than two years of planning and fundraising, Benet Academy upgraded technology, dedicated the beautiful new Chapel of Saint Therese, and built St. Daniel Hall, the new home of the school's performing arts programs. This campaign, which energized students, teachers, alumni and other supporters, led to the unprecedented improvement and growth of the theatre and music programs. At the start of the 2006-2007 academic year, Benet Academy was is in the midst of another campaign, which would fund eight new state-of-the-art science labs and classrooms, an enlarged cafeteria, and a renovated main entrance. These improvements will enable Benet Academy to continue to offer a competitive, value-based educational experience to current and future students for years to come.

"Prior to working with Advancement Partners," states Benet Academy President Rev. Jude D. Randall, O. S. B., "it took us 13 months to raise nearly $3 million, which was $500,000 under our goal. Working with API for our 2000 campaign, we surpassed our $6.5 million goal in 12 months and were left with a system that enabled us to surpass $7 million - and a way to secure major gifts long into the future."