$3.3 Million Raised to Transform Mental Health Services
How Sarah Garrett Scaled The Phoenix Center from $200K to $3.3M with Major Gifts Ramp-Up
- TOTAL INVESTED: $85,000
- TOTAL RAISED: $3,300,000
- ROI: ~39 X Initial Investment
Where They Started
Sarah attended a Major Gifts Ramp-Up (MGRU) event and discovered a proven system that would give her team the tools and confidence to pursue transformational funding.
Partnering with an MGRU Counselor, she launched a focused campaign that would reshape the Center’s financial future.
The Turning Point
What began as a bold step of faith soon became a defining moment for Sarah. Guided by her MGRU Counselor, she and her team embraced the Major Gifts Ramp-Up system—not just as a fundraising model, but as a roadmap to renewal.
With a clear plan and renewed vision, they built lasting relationships with major donors, and secured the transformational funding needed to sustain their mission.
The Strategic Move
Together, they:
Crafted a compelling, data-driven case for support- Identified and engaged major donor prospects
- Activated the board in mission-driven fundraising conversations
- Established a structured campaign timeline with clear milestones
- Leveraged storytelling to build meaningful relationships with donors
The Results
- $3.3 million raised, a leap from a $200,000 annual budget
- ~39x ROI on an estimated $85,000 investment
- Staff expanded to meet community needs
- Access to mental health services increased significantly
- New programs launched to deepen community impact
Under Sarah’s leadership, the Phoenix Center moved from scarcity to sustainability—now dreaming bigger and serving more families than ever before.
Impact and Takeaway
“What we needed was the right system to communicate our value, build relationships with major donors, and raise the funds to do the work we’re called to do. Major Gifts Ramp-Up gave us clarity, courage, and a roadmap to transform our fundraising—and our impact.”
Sarah Garrett, Executive Director
The Phoenix Center
Key Insight
Bold leadership paired with a proven fundraising model creates extraordinary organizational growth. Investing in fundraising infrastructure isn’t just about dollars—it’s about expanding mission impact and building long-term sustainability.