Case Study

Challenge

As a volunteer-run organization with no paid staff, the Cultural Center of Henry County was advancing a high-stakes effort to repurpose a historic school in Napoleon, Ohio—while navigating legal complexity, public uncertainty, and limited capacity. Demolition was widely assumed to be inevitable, and the organization needed a way to clarify that the future of the building was still undecided and actively supported by the community.

At the same time, the organization had not engaged in formal fundraising for some time. With no recent campaign experience and a small volunteer base, the board needed approaches that could build momentum, demonstrate legitimacy, and generate support without overwhelming the people already carrying the work.

Approach

The Parker Circle partnered with CCHC to design and support two targeted campaigns, each aligned with the organization’s capacity and immediate goals. Before either campaign launched publicly, foundational communication tools were put in place to ensure accuracy, consistency, and readiness.

A concise media kit was developed and housed on the organization’s website in advance of outreach. It included clear project background, key talking points, and supporting context so that if media interest emerged, the board could respond confidently and consistently without scrambling to assemble information mid-campaign.

Community Advocacy: Petition for Preservation
The first campaign focused on making community support visible. A board member proposed launching a petition, and the effort was intentionally folded into the organization’s website so signatures could be captured alongside contact information and personal statements of support. This allowed the campaign to serve multiple purposes at once—demonstrating public backing, expanding the organization’s contact list, and generating authentic language that could be shared across the website and social media.

To reinforce visibility offline, a large lawn sign displayed a live count of petition signatures, paired with rows of small, colorful flags placed on the property—each flag representing a voice of support. This simple but powerful visual made the scale of community backing tangible and difficult to overlook.

The petition ultimately gathered 652 signatures, an extraordinary level of engagement for a small community. The effort also attracted local media attention, including coverage by a regional television station, reinforcing the legitimacy of the campaign and helping clarify that demolition was not a foregone conclusion.

Fundraising: Giving Tuesday Campaign
Building on the momentum and expanded contact list created through the petition, the organization launched its first Giving Tuesday campaign in years. The goal was to raise unrestricted funds for the general operating budget and move closer to reoccupying the building, even as legal proceedings continued.

The Parker Circle worked closely with the marketing committee to shape campaign messaging, draft a clear appeal letter, and establish a realistic timeline. Social media supported the effort, and special attention was given to stewardship—ensuring donors were thanked promptly and would later receive an impact update outlining how their support advanced the work. A leadership team member’s $5,000 matching gift further reinforced confidence and urgency.

Throughout both campaigns, the emphasis remained on preparation and process—ensuring the organization was ready to engage the public, supporters, and media thoughtfully rather than reactively.

Impact

Together, these two campaigns helped move the project forward at a critical moment. The petition clarified public support, reduced misinformation, and expanded the organization’s base of engaged supporters, while the media kit ensured inquiries could be handled with accuracy and professionalism. The Giving Tuesday campaign demonstrated that fundraising was both possible and worthwhile for a volunteer-led organization, even without extensive infrastructure in place.

Beyond signatures or dollars raised, the campaigns strengthened internal confidence and external credibility. Board members and volunteers gained firsthand experience with well-structured advocacy and fundraising efforts, improved stewardship practices, and a renewed sense of pride in presenting the organization’s work professionally.