Charleston Southern University (CSU) is a faith-based institution rooted in academic excellence and servant leadership. But by the time it began preparing for a new strategic plan, it was clear the university needed more than vision: it needed infrastructure to match its ambitions.

For years, CSU had under-asked or blanket-asked donors, resulting in missed opportunities and underwhelming returns. The university knew it needed a new strategy and a bold campaign to match. They partnered with the Winkler Group to chart a new path forward: one that prioritized relationships, strategic asks, and long-term donor stewardship.

The result was the Limitless campaign: a transformative effort aligned with the three primary pillars of CSU’s strategic plan—enrollment, retention, and graduation.

The Campaign: Building a Culture of Philanthropy

Together with CSU leadership, the Winkler Group guided the development of a case for support and a campaign strategy rooted in real relationships and personal engagement. We helped shift the culture of advancement from transactional to transformational, moving beyond broad appeals and focusing instead on strategic partnerships with donors.

Through extensive training and counsel, we equipped CSU’s development staff to engage major donors with confidence. Trustees and key volunteers were empowered to open doors and invite others into the vision. As the campaign progressed, major donors were asked to stretch—not just in dollar amount, but in belief.

The impact of this new approach was immediate.