The Client
Turpentine Creek is an Arkansas wildlife refuge forabused, abandoned, and neglected big cats, with anemphasis on tigers, lions, leopards, and cougars.
The Need
To construct a new educational facility and museum, Turpentine Creek needed to raise US$4M. Previously, they had used needs-based fundraising and annual fundraising. They had yet to roll out a structured capital campaign.
The Project
Sharity developed a strategy to reach people in thecommunity beyond those who are passionate aboutanimal welfare. Education, conservation, museums, and tourism were used as avenues to identify new fundraising prospects. Around these pillars, Sharity created cultivation strategies and support materials. This allowed the Refuge to stratify existing donors, identify and leverage door openers, create new engagement strategies, and establish their first multimillion-dollar campaign. The campaign’s goal was reaching its revised target, a sum of $6.5M, and securing government support based on the economics of tourism
The Result
Over the course of our collaboration, the Refuge has achieved the following milestones.
- Sustainable fundraising — Raised 100 percent of capital campaign goal (US$4.2M raised to date).Tripled annual revenue and increased monthly giving by 70 percent. Added $4M to reserves.
- Growth — Acquired two nonprofits including Carol Baskin’s high-profile Big Cat Rescue. Projected 50Knew visitors annually.
- Recognition — Named one of the top 10 percent of attractions worldwide in TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice Winner. Filmed as part of a documentary to be shown at London’s Natural History Museum.
- Advocacy — Passed the US Big Cat Safety Act inDecember 2022.
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