Case Study: Connecticut Humane Society
About the Organization
Founded in 1881, the Connecticut Humane Society (CHS) is the oldest and most comprehensive animal welfare organization in the state. With multiple facilities, CHS provides shelter, adoption, veterinary and community support services for pets and the people who love them. Its mission extends beyond adoptions: CHS helps keep pets with their families through affordable veterinary care, pet food assistance and educational programs.
The Situation
For decades, CHS operated an aging facility that no longer reflected best practices in animal care or met the needs of a growing community. Demand was increasing for affordable veterinary services, modern animal housing and community resources such as a pet food pantry and educational programs.
Recognizing the opportunity to build a new Pet Resource and Adoption Center, CHS faced the challenge of securing the necessary funding while continuing to sustain strong annual fundraising to support ongoing programs.
The Goal
CHS sought to:
- Raise $13 million for a new state-of-the-art facility
- Strengthen donor relationships and engage new supporters across Connecticut
- Cultivate and empower volunteer leaders
- Build internal fundraising capacity to support the campaign while maintaining annual operating support
The Approach
To achieve these goals, CHS partnered with Alford Group to complete a feasibility study and provide campaign counsel for the duration of the campaign. Over multiple years, Alford Group has supported CHS in:
- Donor Relations & Engagement: Strengthening relationships with existing donors and broadening their base of support
- Volunteer Leadership Development: Identifying, recruiting and equipping volunteer leaders from CHS’s donor pool and volunteer base to champion the campaign
- Capacity Building: Working with staff and volunteers to expand internal fundraising capabilities and create sustainable systems for long-term donor stewardship
- Major Gifts Strategy: Guiding CHS in securing transformational contributions needed to move the campaign forward
The Results
Together, CHS and Alford Group laid the groundwork and then executed on the campaign plan. CHS surpassed its fundraising goal and the new facility is now open!
- $15.3 million raised to date, surpassing the $13 million goal — over and above CHS’s strong annual fundraising
- Stronger fundraising infrastructure that will serve CHS well beyond the campaign
- Highly effective volunteer leaders equipped to engage peers, inspire giving, and advocate for the organization
- Increased donor confidence through thoughtful cultivation and stewardship
The new facility offers pet adoption, low-fee public veterinary care, a pet food pantry, adoption services, behavioral support, community outreach and foster coordination.
“The new Pet Resource Center in Wilton, CT represents not only a new building, but a new way of thinking about animal welfare and community support in Connecticut. With Alford Group’s counsel, we’ve built the relationships, capacity and leadership needed to bring this vision to life, and to sustain it for decades to come.”
— Barbara Naugle, Director of Development, Connecticut Humane Society