Marine Corps Heritage Foundation

For most organizations, a high dollar donor program can be the most effective way to upgrade mid-level donors. 

For the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, raising money to build the National Museum of the Marine Corps, the challenge was to upgrade donors who had repeatedly been asked for stretch gifts during the six years leading up to the Museum’s opening. 

Lautman Maska Neill & Company created a high dollar giving society which provided donors with an exclusive “insider” connection to the Foundation and its work.  The program was dubbed The Semper Fidelis Society and the giving levels were named after meaningful Marine Corps words and phrases.  A vibrant logo was created to help set the campaign apart from the other mailings.  The highly personalized invitation package contained a Certificate of Nomination in the donor’s name and slate of meaningful membership benefits designed to bring the donor access to the Foundation and the new Museum—all sent over the name of the organization’s president.

This personal touch generated phenomenal results. The response rate and average gift exceeded goals; revenue did too—by $94,957. What’s more, the mailing encouraged 5 donors to make particularly large, increased contributions.