SIM, an international Christian mission organization based in Charlotte, has been awarded a 2015 NonProfit PRO Gold Award for Fundraising Excellence for its “Pray to End Ebola” campaign.
The campaign, conceived by SIM and designed and executed by Douglas Shaw & Associates, received a near-perfect score from judges, and won the coveted On the Edge award for “pushing the envelope” in multi-channel fundraising.
“Our mission to minister to those affected by Ebola in West Africa was not just a mission of financial need,” said Bruce Johnson, President of SIM USA. “We also needed to engage people through a call to prayer.”
As the Ebola crisis escalated, SIM had to relocate staff and evacuate critically ill personnel, which caused a sudden spike in expenses. The campaign immediately appealed for support and quickly raised $400,000. As the epidemic continued, people everywhere were invited to join in a dedicated week of prayer for an end to Ebola. The multi-channel campaign of online, offline and radio media cost approximately $40,000, with ongoing positive results.
“The effectiveness of this campaign comes from its ability to reach people quickly, through multiple communication channels,” said Doug Shaw, Chairman and CEO of Douglas Shaw & Associates, a firm specializing in nonprofit and ministry fundraising. “Our team – in a very short period of time — developed a coordinated campaign where each channel had a specific function to support the (campaign’s) goals to make sure we got the message out.”
For 10 years, the Gold Awards for Fundraising Excellence has recognized the top campaigns in nonprofit fundraising. For more information, visit http://www.nonprofitpro.com.
About SIM
SIM (www.simusa.org) is an international Christian mission organization with a staff of nearly 4,000 workers from over 60 countries serving in 70 nations. SIM exists to respond to need, proclaim the gospel and equip the church. While SIM stood for Soudan Interior Mission when it was founded 120 years ago, it is now a global mission known as SIM (pronounced S-I-M).
About Douglas Shaw & Associates
Douglas Shaw & Associates, based in Naperville, Ill., is a full-service multichannel direct-response fundraising company helping nonprofits and ministries support their vision through donor acquisition and fundraising from existing donors. Its work generates measurably higher levels of giving through diverse channels including direct mail, digital, email, and broadcast. For more information, visit https://www.douglasshaw.com
