$3.3 Million Raised to Rebuild After Disaster
How Marita Wassman Revived Ride On St. Louis with Major Gifts Ramp-Up
- TOTAL INVESTED: $75,000
- TOTAL RAISED: $3,300,000
- ROI: ~44 X Initial Investment
Where They Started
For decades, Ride On St. Louis was a place of healing. Through equine-assisted therapy, the organization served children with disabilities, veterans, and trauma survivors—until two catastrophic Mississippi River floods destroyed everything. The land. The stables. The programs. Even the relationships that made the work possible.
Founder Marita Wassman was left with nothing but a question: Could we ever start again?
The Turning Point
Desperate for direction and determined not to give up, Marita attended a 2-Day Major Gifts Ramp-Up (MGRU) event. What began as a last-ditch effort became a transformational moment.
She found not just a strategy, but a lifeline—a step-by-step system to raise the funds needed to rebuild Ride On St. Louis from the ground up.
The Strategic Move
Marita partnered with an MGRU Counselor and invested in the full model. Together, they:
Developed a compelling, emotionally driven case for support- Identified and cultivated high-capacity donors
- Re-engaged past supporters with a renewed vision
- Crafted a capital campaign structure with clear milestones
- Made personal, mission-driven asks rooted in urgency and purpose
The Results
The campaign’s results exceeded all expectations:
- $3.3 million raised to fund land acquisition and renovations
- ~44x ROI on an estimated $75,000 investment
- A brand-new facility purchased, rebuilt, and operational
- Programs now fully restored and serving children and adults again
- Donor community reinvigorated with a long-term commitment to the mission
What began as a heartbreaking loss is now a story of renewal, leadership, and strategic comeback.
Impact and Takeaway
“Major Gifts Ramp-Up didn’t just help us raise money—it gave me the courage to believe again.
This model gave us the structure to act on our vision. We went from devastated to operational—and we’re changing lives again, just like we were always meant to.”
Marita Wassman
Founder, Ride On St. Louis
Key Insight
When crisis meets clarity and structure, recovery becomes reality. Strategic investment in fundraising infrastructure not only restores what’s lost—it creates the foundation for lasting impact.