St. Joseph's Catholic School Students Graduting

St. Joseph’s Catholic School

CASE STUDY DETAILS

SECTOR:
LOCATION:
Greenville, SC
THE IMPACT:

"The Winkler Group was fantastic to work with. It truly felt like we had an additional staff member on our team." — Kevin Meyer, Director of Development

St. Joseph’s Catholic School

St. Joseph’s Catholic School in Greenville, South Carolina, has built a reputation for academic excellence, athletic achievement, and spiritual development. As the school approached its 25th anniversary, leaders recognized the need to upgrade its aging facilities to better serve its growing student body.

In partnership with the Winkler Group, St. Joseph’s launched the UKnight campaign, its first major fundraising initiative, to fund state-of-the-art science labs, multipurpose classrooms, locker rooms, and athletic offices. The campaign was rooted in a vision of holistic education, one that nurtures mind, body, and spirit alike.

Our Work Together: Building Momentum Through Trusted Partnership

The UKnight campaign succeeded in fully funding all its priorities, dramatically enhancing the academic and athletic experience for students and laying the groundwork for future growth. But the school’s transformation didn’t end there.

Five years later, St. Joseph’s once again partnered with the Winkler Group—this time to launch the You Belong campaign, a bold effort to fund the Saint Joseph’s Way Center and expand the school’s endowment.

The Saint Joseph’s Way Center is envisioned as the heart of campus life, uniting Campus Ministry, Theology classes, Student Support Services, and the House Program under one roof. The campaign also focuses on increasing financial aid resources through endowment growth, ensuring more students can access a Catholic education.

Our strategy for the You Belong campaign emphasized personal, specific gift asks and intentional relationship-building. Early campaign momentum was so strong that the school’s board of directors increased the goal from $5 million to $6 million.

St. Joseph's Catholic School Exterior

The Result

The You Belong campaign has gone above and beyond, surpassing not only its original goal but also exceeding the $6 million stretch target. The school community’s response has been remarkable, reflecting deepened commitment and a renewed sense of shared purpose.

But the impact goes far beyond dollars raised. For many donors, this was the first time they experienced a personalized solicitation—an approach that strengthened relationships and inspired more generous giving. Conversations about the school’s long-term vision became more strategic and transparent, inviting donors into a shared sense of responsibility for the future. At the same time, the campaign reinforced St. Joseph’s role as a vital faith-based educational resource in the Upstate region.

With these stronger relationships and a growing understanding of the school’s mission, St. Joseph’s is well-positioned to continue expanding its impact for decades to come.

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