CATHOLIC CHARITIES – TUCSON

In early 2019, Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona, also known as Catholic Charities – Tucson, decided to move forward with a Campaign Feasibility Study to assess whether they could raise $5.2 million to build a Medical Respite Center for Homeless Men and Women.

There are about 92 Medical Respite Centers in the U.S., which are designed as compassionate care centers for homeless individuals who, when discharged from hospitals, have no home to go to and therefore no safe place to recover.

Artist rendering of the Medical Respite Center for Homeless Men and Women being built by Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona.

Catholic Charities had already completed a comprehensive Community Needs Assessment, so the Board of Directors and the longtime CEO, Peg Harmon, clearly understood that the data supported the construction of such a Center in Tucson but were uncertain that they could manage a large capital campaign. A $5.2 million fundraising effort would be unprecedented for the agency.

Greater Mission’s Sr. Vice President, Donna Marino was hired in Tucson to conduct the Study for Catholic Charities, which determined that a large campaign was feasible but only with wide community support and much “out-of-the-box” thinking about approaches to new funding sources. Ms. Marino was subsequently invited to serve as campaign counsel in Tucson, and based on early successes including a leadership gift of $1 million to name the Center, specific strategies were developed for the agency’s campaign with the emphasis on a Community Campaign, not just a Catholic Campaign.

As of the 2nd quarter of 2020, the funding for the Center is on track to meet and exceed the goal of $5.2 million, with construction anticipated in 2021.

Other important steps included hiring a dedicated grant writer for the Center, enlisting “Community Champions” — shelter directors, Pastors and others — as spokespeople, holding the city-wide kick-off event at the Jewish Community Center and enlisting three Campaign Chairmen: the retired Bishop, a very popular Rabbi and a beloved Sister of St. Joseph.

As of the 2nd quarter of 2020, the funding for the Center is on track to meet and exceed the goal of $5.2 million, with construction anticipated in 2021.