$5.1 Million Raised to Transform Safelight

The Power of Lauren Wilkie’s Bold Move

  • TOTAL INVESTED: $85,000
  • TOTAL RAISED: $5,1000,000
  • ROI: ~60 X Initial Investment

Where They Started

Safelight has long been a refuge for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. With crisis shelter, counseling, job training, and transitional housing, the organization offered not only safety but a pathway to independence.

However, Safelight faced a significant barrier: limited financial resources. Despite a dedicated team and a strong mission, sustainable growth felt out of reach.

The Bold Move

Determined to break through these limitations, Executive Director Lauren Wilkie made a strategic decision: to invest in a comprehensive major gifts campaign.

Investment: $85,000 in the Major Gifts Ramp-Up model

With guidance from an experienced Major Gifts Ramp-Up (MGRU) Counselor, Lauren and her team:

  • Developed a compelling case for support
  • Engaged and activated board leadership
  • Identified and personally cultivated high-capacity donors
  • Created urgency and clarity around their vision

The Results

The outcomes were transformational:

  • $5.1 million raised to expand and strengthen Safelight’s services
  • Board members became active ambassadors for the mission
  • New major donors joined the cause
  • Longtime supporters increased their commitments
These funds enabled Safelight to renovate facilities, broaden program offerings, and build long-term sustainability to serve more survivors than ever before.

Impact and Takeaway

“Before Major Gifts Ramp-Up, raising $5 million felt out of reach. Now, it’s our new standard.

Major Gifts Ramp-Up gave our development team and leadership the tools, timeline, and expert guidance to significantly grow donor support. Together, we built a tailored plan that maximized our budget and focused our efforts where they mattered most.

In just three years, we tripled individual giving and doubled our annual operating budget—creating a deeper, lasting impact in our community.”

Lauren Wilkie, LMSW, LCSW, LISW AP/CP

SafeLight Executive Director

This campaign didn’t just generate dollars—it galvanized belief across the community. Under Lauren’s leadership and with the proven Major Gifts Ramp-Up approach, Safelight evolved from surviving to scaling, becoming a regional model for transformative nonprofit fundraising.

Key Insight

When vision, courage, and process align, even the most ambitious fundraising goals can be achieved.