The Viscardi Center

As the President and CEO at The Viscardi Center, I’m thrilled by our progress with CCS Fundraising. Thanks to our community’s generosity, we’ve reached our initial $7.5 million goal in just over a year. This campaign has helped us share the Viscardi story, attract new donors, and strengthen community ties. As we aim for $10 million, we’re excited about the future and the impactful investments we can make to help our community thrive.”

Dr. Chris Rosa, President & CEO

THE CHALLENGE

The Viscardi Center, an organization dedicated to educating, employing, and empowering people with disabilities, approved an ambitious new strategic plan that would require significant funding to realize. Included in the strategic plan were initiatives to help people with disabilities during important life transitions, and additions to the Viscardi campus including a Community Inclusion Hub and the National Disability History Museum. These additions addressed Viscardi’s five strategic pillars: Education, Empowerment, Employment, Expansion, and Equity.

THE SOLUTION

CCS had partnered with The Viscardi Center on their previous campaign, ‘Together We Soar’ (2017 – 2022), which exceeded its $10 million goal. The Viscardi Center re-engaged CCS in 2022 to conduct a feasibility study for a new campaign, ‘Soar More’, to support their strategic plan. The study resulted in CCS’s recommendation of a $7.5 million initial working goal. CCS collaborated with The Viscardi Center to develop a compelling case for support and a host of naming opportunities, recruit and mobilize a robust group of volunteer leadership, and identify and qualify prospects sufficient to reach a $10 million goal. We also advised on major gift solicitation strategy and the integration of planned giving strategies into the campaign.

THE impact

In just over one year of a five-year campaign, The Viscardi Center has raised the $7.5 million working goal and is now aiming for an increased goal of $10 million. Among the $7.5 million raised, a historic major gift of $2.5 million stands out, marking a major milestone in Viscardi’s fundraising efforts. This generous contribution not only highlights the donor’s commitment but also sets a new benchmark for future campaigns. In addition, with the unwavering support of three boards and their CEO, Dr. Chris Rosa, Viscardi significantly boosted donor engagement.

Already, campaign funds have allowed the organization to act on strategic priorities, which include starting the first Inclusive Higher Education program on Long Island, beginning construction on the Disability History Museum, and acquiring Able News, the paper of record for the disability community. In addition to raising cash, the organization has communicated to their community the benefits of making tax-advantaged gifts of assets and has secured planned gifts toward the campaign. Today, the Viscardi Center is well-positioned to achieve its $10 million goal in the coming year and to make meaningful strategic investments that will allow their community to thrive.

Featured Team Member

It is a pleasure to work with The Viscardi Center, an organization that is always innovating to find new ways to improve the lives of the people they serve. Their positive, forward-thinking approach is inspiring, and the opportunity to partner with them has been a highlight in my CCS career.

Stephanie Gilardi, Vice President, CCS Fundraising

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