Transforming a Private School's Brand and Fundraising Efforts

St. Barnabas Episcopal School is a prestigious Christian private institution with a rich history, offering high-quality education to students for over 50 years. Despite its excellent academic reputation, the school faced challenges in staying relevant and competing against alternative educational platforms that embraced traditional marketing methods.

The primary challenge was to enhance St. Barnabas' brand identity, effectively communicate its unique stance on teaching methodology, and establish a comprehensive marketing and fundraising strategy to secure consistent annual funding.

Conducted a thorough brand audit to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and competitors.

Collaborated with key stakeholders to define St. Barnabas' unique selling points and values.

Developed a comprehensive brand strategy to align the visual identity with St. Barnabas' mission and core values.

Collaborated with a local marketing agency to refresh the school's branding assets and overall visual identity to convey a modern and cohesive image.

Created brand guidelines to ensure consistency across all communication channels.

Launched targeted marketing campaigns across digital and traditional channels such as the "I <3 SBES" and "Why We Give" campaigns, respectively.

Leveraged social media platforms to engage with the community, highlight achievements, and showcase the school's unique stance on education.

Developed compelling narratives to showcase student & family success stories, faculty achievements, and the school's impact on the community locally and state-wide.

In partnership with other local creators and vendors; we produced high-quality content, including blog posts, videos, and newsletters, to engage current and prospective donors.

Established affiliates and yearly sponsorships with local businesses, community organizations, and alumni networks to secure the school's annual revenue.

Organized events and collaborations to foster a sense of community and garner recurring support.

Implemented a donor-centric approach, ensuring personalized communication and acknowledgment of contributions.

Created exclusive events and experiences for major donors to strengthen their connection to the school and raise awareness towards their businesses.

Secured increases in yearly funding through targeted campaigns and donor engagement strategies.

Implemented effective budget allocation for key programs and initiatives, ensuring optimal utilization of funds.

Achieved consistent year-over-year growth in charitable donations for 3 consecutive years.

Established a sustainable and diversified fundraising portfolio, including annual campaigns, endowments, and targeted appeals.

Local community surveys showed a significant improvement in brand perception and awareness within the community.

Increased enrollment inquiries and applications due to improved visibility and positive brand associations.

Social media followers and engagement increased upwards of 400% across all channels, showcasing a more active and involved community.

Alumni engagement and participation in school events also experienced a notable increase.

Through a strategic combination of brand redesign, targeted marketing efforts, and donor engagement initiatives, St. Barnabas Episcopal School not only secured consistent yearly funding but also witnessed substantial growth in charitable donations. The enhanced brand perception and community engagement underscore the successful implementation of a comprehensive strategy, demonstrating the ability to drive value and success in the education sector. I thank SBES for the 3 years with your marketing department and I hope the time I spent with them was well served and the practices be carried forward for years to come.

Taylor J Rodriguez - Marketing & Creative Director