Case Study: Children’s Hospital Foundation Acquisition That Delivers
How a powerful match, moving story, and creative offer drove a 25% lift in income
The Challenge
This leading children’s hospital had a strong brand—but also a geographic ceiling. After years of aggressive acquisition efforts, the local market was saturated. To grow, the Foundation needed to break through donor fatigue and bring in new supporters, cost-effectively.
The Approach: Reignite Response with What Works
DaVinci leaned into proven fundraising tactics—emotional storytelling, a compelling challenge offer, and low-cost premiums—executed with creativity and precision.
- Led with a proven Holiday Challenge Match offer
- Featured the real story of NICU patient, born 13 weeks premature, to make a powerful emotional case
- Designed a #10 window envelope with live stamp for authenticity
- Included a personalized letter, co-branded with the Foundation’s “Gift of Hope Happens Here” campaign
- Added bright, seasonal labels showcasing child patient artwork
- Integrated messaging across channels to align with year-end marketing efforts
The Results
The Holiday Challenge Match package outperformed expectations—despite mailing 17,000 fewer names than planned:
Acquired nearly 3,000 new donors
Achieved a 1.55% response rate—a 14% lift over the prior year
Boosted average gift to $34—9% above projections and 15% higher than 2013
Generated a 25% increase in gross income
Nearly broke even on acquisition with a $1.10 cost to raise a dollar
Smart creative, proven tactics, and a powerful story—DaVinci helped this Children’s Hospital Foundation cut through the clutter and grow its donor base in a crowded market.