In 1989, Hurricane Hugo devastated the South Carolina Lowcountry. In its wake, East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) was born—an organization committed to walking with neighbors in times of crisis and rebuilding long-term stability through healthcare, financial assistance, and food access.

More than 30 years later, ECCO faced a new challenge: the demand for services had outgrown their facility. Clients were being served in off-site locations, creating logistical hurdles and limiting ECCO’s ability to serve holistically.

ECCO’s leadership team wasn’t sure if they should move to a larger campus or expand their current space. Rather than guessing, they asked the most important stakeholders—their donors. That’s when they partnered with the Winkler Group to guide a feasibility study and campaign.

The Campaign: Listening First, Leading Boldly

From the beginning, we approached the project by doing what we advise all our clients to do: listen. Through interviews, surveys, and conversations, ECCO’s donors made it clear they wanted the organization to stay rooted in its current neighborhood—and they wanted to see the organization dream bigger.

The campaign strategy took shape around those donor insights. ECCO would renovate and expand its existing facility to bring all programs under one roof. But the vision didn’t stop there. Donors also inspired the addition of a new transportation initiative: a fleet of vans that would bring services directly to clients who couldn’t reach the building on their own.

With priorities aligned and donors already invested in the vision, ECCO launched a campaign rooted in shared purpose. The Winkler Group provided structure, messaging, and training to ensure the internal team and volunteers had the confidence to lead.