Solution #239: Fund-a-Building - A Chapel for the Ages

Featuring: A Chapel for the Ages
Client: Virginia Theological Seminary

The Idea:

In October 2010, The Virginia Theological Seminary lost its chapel to a horrific fire.  After two years of planning, VTS needed a video to launch the public phase of their capital campaign to rebuild it.

The Challenge:

The main challenge was to not dwell on the tragedy and loss but to enthusiastically embrace the future potential of a new chapel and experiences for faculty, students, staff, and future members of the VTS Family. Another challenge was to consolidate their story without losing the impact of such a compelling tale.

The Solution:

Through interviews with key members of the capital campaign committee, and an interview with the renowned architect, Robert A.M. Stern who is designing the new chapel, Video Solutions decided to tell as much of the story as possible through the interviews themselves.  A narrator was added to bridge the story and to help tie the story elements together.  The use of historic photos, similar to Ken Burns’ style, enabled us to show the importance of the chapel and the historic nature of the campus. The audience was presented with a compelling case and the need for a replacement.

The net result, Video Solutions was able to deliver a powerful story that enhanced participation and involvement in the Capital Campaign.  The program was publicly unveiled in February and the campaign closed in September.  The video presentation helped exceed the campaign’s goal and ground broke on the new chapel in early 2013.

Honors:

A 2013 Telly Award under Charitable/Non-Profit Category and a 2013 Gold Aurora Award in Fund Raising Category

“Succinctly and beautifully conveying the need to build a new chapel, the Chapel for the Ages video would become an important tool in VTS raising over $14 million surpassing every goal we set.”

– Rev. James Barney Hawkins IV, Ph.D., Vice-President for Institutional Advancement