Success Stories
Saunders Construction: Building Confidence in Kids
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The Opportunity:
In January 2007, Saunders Construction approached Galloway Group for assistance in enhancing the company’s community investment strategies and ultimately making a bigger impact on the communities in which it operates. Galloway Group was asked to help establish this stronger community presence by developing creative strategies that met the following objectives: raise the company’s “reputational capital;” support current branding efforts; leverage partnerships; meet business objectives; and raise the company’s profile in the community.
The Approach:
To clearly understand where the company’s philanthropic efforts had been focused in the past, Galloway Group conducted a thorough assessment, including both primary and secondary research. Assessment findings determined that a signature initiative would not only help meet business objectives, but would also create a positive impact on the community that could be leveraged to increase the company’s reputational capital. Utilizing key findings from the assessment, Galloway Group constructed a strategic plan for developing a signature community investment initiative that would reflect the “Saunders Way,” pay respect to the company’s high regard for employee buy-in and focus on three charitable areas important to a large percentage of Saunders employees: families, children and education. Playing off current branding efforts and the Saunders tagline, “Building Confidence,” the end result was coined Building Confidence in Kids – an employee-driven community initiative that establishes a year-long partnership with a single nonprofit, ensuring maximized impact and enhanced reputational capital.
Galloway Group worked with the Building Confidence in Kids committee, which consisted of Saunders employees from a variety of departments, to select the inaugural nonprofit partner via a detailed RFP process. After reading numerous proposals submitted by local charities dedicated to children, family and/or education, the University of Denver Bridge Project was chosen as the inaugural nonprofit partner.
This year-long partnership included a significant financial contribution from Saunders as well as nearly $50,000 in in-kind donations, including materials, construction projects and volunteer time. Prior to launching the year-long partnership, specific measurables were determined in order to track tangible results and encourage sustainability of the new initiative well into the future.
The Results:
Now in the eighth month of the inaugural year, Building Confidence in Kids has already met initial objectives, primarily serving to increase Saunders’ reputational capital and profile in the local community. A mutually beneficial partnership has been formed between Saunders and The Bridge Project, encouraging employee volunteerism and supporting current branding efforts already in place by Saunders. At the conclusion of the inaugural year, a full evaluation of the initiative will be conducted prior to choosing the 2010 Building Confidence in Kids partner.
"Saunders' collaboration with Galloway Group has added structure, strength and sustainability to our community giving program. We have truly enjoyed working with the Galloway team and have benefited from their insightfulness and connection to the Colorado community." — Marcy Loughran, Marketing & Communications Manager, Saunders Construction, Inc.
