$10.1 Million Raised to Rebuild Neighborhoods

Roy Kramer’s Strategic Investment in Sustainable Growth

  • TOTAL INVESTED: $220,000
  • TOTAL RAISED: $10,100,000
  • ROI: ~46 X Initial Investment

Why It Mattered

At Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity, the mission was clear: repair homes, rebuild lives, and revitalize entire communities. But as need grew and waiting lists expanded, Executive Director Roy Kramer recognized a hard truth—the organization’s fundraising model couldn’t keep up with its vision.

Despite dedicated staff, volunteers, and board members, the lack of sustainable, large-scale funding threatened to stall growth and impact.

The Strategic Decision

Roy brought a bold proposal to his board: invest $220,000 in the Major Gifts Ramp-Up (MGRU) system, a campaign model designed to help nonprofits secure transformational gifts through a structured, high-accountability process.

With full board support, Roy and his team launched a comprehensive campaign guided by an MGRU Counselor. Together, they:

  • Built a clear and compelling case for support
  • Identified and cultivated high-net-worth donors
  • Trained board members to lead with confidence
  • Developed a campaign timeline aligned with organizational goals
  • Created donor experiences that inspired transformational giving

The Outcome

The return on that investment was extraordinary:

  • $10.1 million raised in campaign contributions
  • 46x return on the board-approved investment
  • New housing developments and property revitalization projects launched
  • Increased board engagement and fundraising leadership
  • Stronger community partnerships and donor retention

What began as a strategy to raise dollars became a catalyst for renewed belief—in the mission, the team, and what’s possible when bold leadership aligns with a proven model.

Impact and Takeaway

“Major Gifts Ramp-Up gave us more than a roadmap—it gave us confidence. It gave us the language, the timing, and the strategy to make the right asks and grow in ways we never imagined.

Every nonprofit dreams of raising millions. We didn’t just dream it—we did it. And Major Gifts Ramp-Up was the key.”

Roy Kramer

Executive Director, Central South Carolina Habitat for Humanity

This campaign transformed not only our bottom line, but our board’s mindset. We now view fundraising as a strategic function of leadership, not just a support activity. It changed how we work together, how we plan, and how we invest.

Key Insight

When a board invests in growth with the same urgency as its mission, results follow. The ROI isn’t just in dollars—it’s in deeper impact, stronger leadership, and a legacy of transformation.