Fork Union Military Academy
A Case Study: Feasibility Study

About the client:

Fork Union Military Academy (FUMA), located in Fork Union, Virginia, provides young men with a college preparatory education in a residential, Christian environment. The school prides itself on teaching its cadets responsibility, leadership, discipline, and pride in an environment where spiritual, mental, and physical growth flourish.

Context:

After nearly a century of proud history, FUMA’s leadership determined it was time for to build on the school’s tradition of successful secondary education through the addition of improved facilities, strengthened programs, and a secure financial base. To achieve this goal, in 2003 FUMA set out to launch Securing the Promise: The Campaign for FUMA’s Future, a $25 million capital campaign.

Project objectives:

As the first planning step towards achieving its aspirations, FUMA partnered with Johnson, Grossnickle, and Associates (JGA) to conduct feasibility study to test the $25 million goal. The objectives of the study were to:

• Test whether the campaign goal amount was attainable;
• Cultivate top prospective donors in a significant manner by involving them from the beginning in the success of the campaign;
• Make certain that FUMA’s development program was set to successfully face the rigors of a campaign;
• Identify and cultivate key campaign leadership;
• Help achieve consensus regarding the goals and merit of the campaign; and
• Educate constituencies important to the campaign’s success.

JGA approach:

Through a series of interviews with those close to FUMA, civic and business leaders, external audiences close to FUMA, and FUMA’s leadership, JGA was able to compile a list of recommendations on how FUMA should move forward.

Through the study, JGA found that FUMA was ready to conduct a comprehensive capital campaign of $27.5 million – an increase over the original $25 million goal (and which was eventually increased to $29 million). The recommendations focused on an expansion of FUMA’s development office to handle the workload presented by the ambitious campaign. FUMA was also coached on the usefulness of the campaign process as a tool to grow its reputation and philanthropic capacity. The school enthusiastically accepted JGA’s recommendations and moved forward with its campaign. The partnership between JGA and FUMA continued beyond the initial feasibility study, as JGA was retained to serve as counsel throughout the duration of the campaign.

Outcomes:

Fork Union Military Academy achieved all of its goals in the Securing the Promise: The Campaign for FUMA’s Future capital campaign. The campaign raised $31.3 million, including an astounding $6.3 million that was raised during the last month of the campaign. This was spurred by a former board chairman who stepped forward and challenged his fellow trustees and major donors help conclude the campaign. He offered to give $1 million if the school was able to raise the funds it needed to complete the $29 million campaign by July 1, 2007. Counting this gift, the school surpassed its goal and completed the campaign 18 months before the planned end date. It was a historic achievement for the institution.

The funds raised will help ensure that the tradition of fine education continues at FUMA for years to come, while also raising awareness of the values of its mission. And through the process, FUMA created a development program infrastructure that is poised for future success. JGA was honored to be able to partner with Fork Union Military Academy in this historic campaign.