Bringing a Data-Driven Vision to Reality:
A Five-Year Journey

The Nonprofit Noticed a Dynamic Change in the Community's Needs

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In 2016/2017, The Salvation Army of the Chattahoochee Valley, located in Columbus, Georgia, noticed a downward trend in the number of men seeking emergency shelter at The Salvation Army —  a dynamic community change.  The Salvation Army’s (“the Army”) leaders weren’t the only ones to notice the trend; a major funder did too!  At this point, the organization posed bold questions to its staff, board, and the community:  

 

“Should we close our emergency shelter that has been existence for more than 50 years?”  

 

 “If we close the emergency shelter, what do we do next to meet relevant needs and fulfill our mission?” 

 

To intelligently and wisely answer these questions, The Army engaged Arthur Alley Associated to conduct a data-driven Mission Planning Study (community needs assessment) and ensure the mission sustainability and movement forward into the next 50 years. 

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A Data-Informed Strategic Plan Leads to a Vision for Relevant Services

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Arthur Alley consultants dug deep into the demographics, financial resources, and community partnerships and identified the current and growing needs for service area.  Arthur Alley’s research showed a currently unmet need for emergency shelter space to house homeless families.  The needs assessment also highlighted a significant programmatic strength in after-school childcare that uniquely qualified the Army to fill this need.   

 

Together with the Army’s leadership team, Arthur Alley led the Advisory Board in a Strategic Planning process to set achievable, sustainable goals for the future of the organization.  The result was a decision to build on the strength of the after-school program and introduce a new program to support homeless families and transition them to self-sufficiency and life-changing outcomes.   

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The New Vision for the Nonprofit's Impact Becomes Reality
 

It was obvious the worn, 50-plus year-old shelter facility could not provide a long-term solution for the envisioned new program.  The Salvation Army of the Chattahoochee Valley developed a building design and construction cost estimate.  Arthur Alley was brought in to conduct a Capital Campaign Readiness Study to have conversations with local philanthropists, business leaders, and board members to assess feasibility of the campaign and its potential for a successful completion.  

 

Based on positive findings in the readiness study, Arthur Alley provided Capital Campaign Management and guided an $8.5M campaign to victory, ultimately exceeding the goal, in December 2022.  The old facility will be demolished in April 2023 to make way for a permanent home of The Salvation Army’s data-informed programs to benefit the community, and the funder that noticed the changing demographic landscape disturbing trend helped launch the new program, Pathway of Hope, with a significant contribution.