Q: What will the Hope is Growing Campaign fund?
A: The Campaign will fund three major areas of expansion for our programs and services:

1. We are increasing our commitment to keep animals healthy by expanding our Medical Center, the SAFE Care Clinic, from 1,800 square feet to 3,600 square feet. In our new Medical Center, sterilizations will increase from 3,400 to 7,500 per year. In addition, pet parents will be able to get an appointment with half the wait and, for the first time, we’ll care for larger dogs. We will also expand our outreach to the 14 counties in the Triangle area, where there are very limited care and shelter options.
2. The Shelter Adoption Center also will expand to better serve healthy, recovering and socially awkward adoptees. We will enlarge our quarantine and isolation areas and will feature a more spacious and family-friendly adoption center. We project adoptions to increase from 900 to 1,100 per year.
3. We will expand our public education mission by creating a dedicated meeting room for pet education classes, training and community events.

Q: Where is this new space?
A: The new space (5,400 square feet) is right across the parking lot from our Adoption Center. SAFE Haven has rented space (currently 5,400 square feet) in the Durant Business Center for 20 years. As we have planned our expansion, our Board has determined that there is strength in the stability of our physical location. Our partners, volunteers, adopters and patients know where to find us. Therefore, when additional space became available in our complex, we knew this was our long-awaited and much needed chance to expand. Our total space will increase to 10,800 square feet.

Q: Why renting? Doesn’t that leave SAFE Haven vulnerable to being “kicked out?”
A: As a 20-year tenant in our current location, we have a very strong relationship with our facility owner. Historically, we have extended our lease in 5-year increments and currently have a lease option on the new space until 2025. We expect our excellent relationship with our property owner to continue as long as we desire it. As we planned our expansion, we explored other options, including purchasing property. In a very competitive market, most “bargains” are gone and what is left is very expensive, hard to build on (flood plains) or 25 miles from our current customer and volunteer base. Ultimately, we have a responsibility to meet the urgent lifesaving needs of our community, and our planned expansion positions us to do that NOW without waiting for years.

Q: When will the new facilities be ready?
A: With support from loyal donors, we expect renovations on the new space to be completed in the first half of 2020.

Q: What is the goal of this Capital Campaign?
A: We have an ambitious goal of $508,000 that includes $200,000 in one-time renovation and new equipment costs and $308,000 of additional operational costs for the first year.

Q: Is this sustainable?
A: Additional surgical volume in the Medical Center will bring increased revenue while lowering costs. A friendlier, well-lit and spacious Adoption Center will foster more adoptions that will also increase our earned income. Revenue is also projected to increase from classes, community events (Cat Yoga anyone?) and retail sales in an expanded lobby. SAFE Haven’s 25-year record of accomplishment includes the successful management and scaling of five previous expansions. In addition, SAFE Haven benefits from the goodwill of many committed and long-time donors that include individuals, business owners and foundations.

Q: Spring 2020 is right around the corner. Don’t you need these funds before getting started?
A: This opportunity came up very fast and the Board of Directors of SAFE Haven felt it was too important to our lifesaving mission to let it get away from us! They have authorized the use of reserve funds that must be replaced within 18 months from the Capital Campaign.

Q: SAFE Haven is an animal shelter and adoption program just for cats. You are not going to start adopting out dogs too are you?
A: No, SAFE Haven’s Shelter is only for cats because there are many other shelters and rescue groups for dogs. Our Medical Center has sterilized small dogs in the SAFE Care Clinic since it opened in 2001. We will just be able to provide services for larger-sized dogs with this expansion.

Q: Who are the members of the Capital Campaign Cabinet?
A: The Capital Campaign Cabinet is the Board of Directors of SAFE Haven for Cats and senior staff.

Q: What exactly is a Capital Campaign / capital gift?
A: Capital Campaign gifts specifically support new construction, renovation or expansion projects. Donations made are above and beyond an annual campaign gift and other types of donations.

Q: Can I make a pledge? What is the pledge period for the Hope is Growing Campaign?
A: Yes. 18-month pledges are welcome and SAFE Haven is happy to invoice you on a schedule convenient for you. Specific fulfillment schedules can be drafted on an individual basis as needed. All pledges must be fulfilled by June 30, 2021.

Q: Can I make a gift now to the Campaign?
A: Absolutely! Your support is encouraged and welcomed. For more information on how you can make a donation, please contact Pam Miller, Founder & President, at pam@safehavenforcats.org or (919) 582-7834 or visit the online pledge page.

Q: Can gifts be made in honor or memory of a loved one or pet?
A: Absolutely! We recognize that SAFE Haven has a very special place in the lives of our community. We are honored to join in celebration of loved ones, especially beloved cats and dogs, through an investment in the Hope is Growing Campaign.

Q: Are there Capital Campaign Naming Opportunities?
A: Every important lifesaving area in our new Medical Center / Adoption Center can be named after a beloved person or pet. A complete list can be found here.

Q: How will gifts be recognized?
A: All gifts of $10,000 or more to the Hope is Growing Campaign will be permanently recognized in the new building. In addition, all families who support the campaign at any level will be recognized in our annual report. Any family that wishes to remain anonymous can exercise that option.

Q: Will the Annual Fund continue during the Hope is Growing Campaign?
A: Yes! The Annual Fund/Matching Campaign is vital to providing the necessary care for 150 cats and kittens we have in our Adoption Center, 365 days a year. In addition, the dollars raised in our annual fund provide the money to offer food through our Pet Food Pantry to members of our community, maintain a very active TNVR program and subsidize sterilization surgeries for 1,700 needy pets yearly.

Q: Can I combine my Capital Campaign and Annual Fund/Matching Campaign pledges?
A: Yes. In fact, we encourage you to do so. For example, you might consider a special investment of $10,000 in our capital expansion project and a renewal of your $5,000 commitment to our Annual Fund for a total commitment of $15,000. To fulfill this pledge, you might choose to pay $5,000 in March 2020, $5,000 in November 2020 and $5,000 in March 2021.

Q: Are gifts to the campaign tax-deductible?
A: Yes! All gifts to the campaign are fully tax-deductible. We encourage individual donors to consult their personal tax advisors with specific questions.

Q: Is there a minimum campaign gift?
A: No! Every gift makes a difference in the lives of animals in the Triangle. It’s our hope that each family will consider making SAFE Haven for Cats one of their top three philanthropic priorities during the Hope is Growing campaign and will give accordingly. We hope that supporters will stretch to make a gift of personal significance.

Q: Can I make a gift of stock?
A: Gifts of marketable securities or stock listed on an exchange can be a great way to make a substantial gift to the campaign. Gifts of stock will be based on the fair market value of the stock on the date of the gift. For more details about making a gift of appreciated assets, please consult your tax advisor.

Q: Is my gift eligible for a corporate match?
A: If your company matches gifts to institutions like ours, then your gift (or a portion of your gift) may be matched. Simply forward the matching gift form to us with your payment or consult your company guidelines for more information. Matching gifts are a wonderful benefit for our cats.

Q: Are in-kind donations counted towards the goal?
A: Donations of goods and services can have a significant impact on our bottom line. This includes items such as computer equipment, furniture, supplies as well as professional services like printing, IT, web support and maintenance. The goal of the campaign is to raise $508,000 through cash donations.

Q: Are deferred gifts included in the campaign?
A: Planned or estate gifts are welcomed and celebrated however, they will not be counted in our campaign totals. For more information about including SAFE Haven in your will, please contact Pam Miller, Founder & President, at pam@safehavenforcats.org or (919) 582-7834.

Q: Can I tell friends and family about this campaign?
A: Yes, please! Support from friends and family will be crucial to our success. Please let us know if you would like us to mail information to your friends and family by contacting, Pam Miller, Founder & President, at pam@safehavenforcats.org or (919) 582-7834.

Q: What if I have other questions?
A: We would love to answer them. Please contact Pam Miller, Founder & President, at pam@safehavenforcats.org or (919) 582-7834.