139: How a Retirement Community Raised $5M in 18 Months

What makes a retirement community more than just a place to live? How do you build a culture so strong that residents, their families, and even local businesses want to give back? 

This week, we’re live at GiveCon, presented by Bloomerang and QGiv, with the Bridgewater Retirement Community team—and trust me, their fundraising approach is something special. They raised $5 million in just 18 months, but the real magic is in how they connect, the stories they tell, and the generosity they inspire every single day. This story is about fundraising and, more importantly, belonging, community, and impact. Whether you're in nonprofit development or just love hearing about organizations doing things right, this conversation is one you don’t want to miss. Hit play and get inspired! 

Topics:

• How Bridgewater Retirement Community built a culture where giving is second nature
• The Live Well campaign success story – How BRC shifted from funding buildings to funding people—and raised $5M in record time
• How BRC captures and shares the real-life impact of their programs
• Why the very people they serve are some of their most passionate givers
• How frontline staff turned ideas into reality, funding trips, wellness programs, and even a senior prom
• The magic of relationship-driven fundraising – Why major gifts often come from deep trust, not just a strong pitch
• How every team member at BRC sees themselves as a fundraiser

For a full list of links and resources mentioned in this episode, click here.

Bloomerang is the complete donor, volunteer, and fundraising management solution that helps thousands of nonprofits deliver a better giving experience and create sustainable, thriving organizations. Combining robust, easy-to-use technology with people-powered support and training, Bloomerang empowers nonprofits to work efficiently, improve supporter relationships, and grow their donor and volunteer bases. Learn more here.

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Resources:

• Purpose & Profit Club® Coaching Program [Get on the waitlist for bonuses]
• The SPRINT Method™: Your shortcut to 10K fundraisers [details here]
• Instagram, LinkedIn, website , weekly newsletter
• [FREE] The Brave Fundraiser’s Guide: Stop getting ignored. Start raising more.
  
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