Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
Services Provided
The Bishop Griffin Resource Center (BGRC) started as a small food pantry and free store on the east side of Columbus in 2007. A committed group of volunteers work out of the rectory of Christ the King Catholic Church, providing food and supplies to those in need. The rectory had gone through many renovations, but the 60-year-old building no longer met the increased need. The number of people coming to the pantry was growing exponentially. Plans were developed for a new, larger, more accessible facility. In the summer of 2019, Cramer & Associates was engaged to provide counsel for the BGRC’s $3.5 million campaign.
When our team came on board, fundraising efforts were moving slowly. We met with the Steering Committee and came up with a plan to jumpstart the campaign. The top priority was to recruit influential leaders. We secured Bishop Griffin himself as Honorary Chair, and a trio of co-chairs who could open the right doors in the community. Cramer also re-imagined the campaign brand and case for support.
When the pandemic hit in 2020, many capital campaigns paused. But the need for food and supplies only grew during this time. The campaign raised both dollars and awareness for the Bishop Griffin Resource Center. The BGRC partnered with The Catholic Foundation to get the word out in the Catholic community, and we launched a social media campaign that yielded a six-figure gift.
Our efforts engaged over 70 key donors. The BRGC beat its goal, raising $3.75 million. In August 2022, they broke ground. And in August 2023, the new 11,500 square feet Center officially opened, allowing BGRC to have five times the impact of the old building. The Center is open five days a week with evening hours, and contains space for wraparound services including English classes, financial literacy training, and health screenings. Thanks to great campaign leaders and generous donors, the Bishop Griffin Resource Center will continue to lift up our neighbors for decades to come.
Your cause is our cause. We’re in it with you, from concept to completion. Because we care just as much about your mission and goals as you do.
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