campaign.thehighground.usThe Highground Capital Campaign – Help support the mission to Honor, Educate, and Heal

the Project What We Do How to Give Donor Recognition Contact Us We officially broke ground on the new building in early December 2023, but we need your ongoing support to continue the mission. The Time is Now Today The Highground is the largest privately funded, continually-staffed Veterans memorial in the country. But the interest in The Highground is outweighing the organization’s ability to respond to the demand for space and services. That is why The Highground Board of Directors is seeking $4M through The Highground Rising capital campaign. Campaign proceeds will pay off the $450,000 mortgage, build a new $2.5M Welcome and Visitor Center, provide $500,000 to increase accessibility and park safety, and develop formal mental health and therapy or referral services. Educating the Public About Our Mission The new, versatile Welcome and Visitor Center will create space for larger events, allow us to hold events during inclement weather and provide us with the opportunity to offer greater educational offerings, mental health services and more. The benefit of these improvements will be realized and appreciated through a more informed and aware public. Economic Asset to the Region and Wisconsin The economic impact of The Highground is considerable, currently standing at $12 million, and sure to increase annually with the proposed expansion. They are an invaluable asset to the region, contributing to sales, profits, jobs, tax revenues and income in the greater Neillsville area, as well as lodging, restaurants and transportation in the wider community. Opening Our Doors to New Friends and Donors Approaching individuals, businesses, foundations, and corporations during this campaign will result in new additions to the donor pool of The Highground. These new donors, along with our current donors, will help spread the word and ignite passion for the mission of The Highground, thus encouraging others to join in supporting these efforts. Expanding The Highground For Generations The Highground Veterans Park Expansion Includes: More than 15 easily-accessible Tributes Pavilions, picnic tables and four miles of scenic walking trails Honor Stones throughout the Park that honor Veterans’ service including Korean Stones, Legacy Stones, Persian Gulf Stones, Military Working Dog Stones, United In Service Stones and Meditation Stones A Museum containing over 4,000 books, a gallery for exhibits, and media and meeting rooms Primary Strategic Campaign Goals The expansion of The Highground will take the organization to the next level. Improved services and facilities for Veterans, their families and the community will provide the following: A new 6,000 square-foot Welcome and Visitor Center with space for larger events, events during poor weather, greater educational opportunities, meetings and programs as well as mental health services . Increased financial stability and long-term sustainability with the pay-off of the $450,000 mortgage. Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), ensuring access to the entire park and all memorial sites for disabled Veterans and visitors . Improved parking, allowing for safer access to memorials and the Welcome and Visitor Center . Executive Summary The Highground complex, totaling approximately 155 acres, is located in central Wisconsin. It has served Veterans and their families for more than 35 years. The beautiful grounds are continually maintained by a crew of nearly 200 volunteers. The number of annual visitors is 225,000 and that number continues to grow. Some 7,000 of those annual visitors are Veterans, many of whom become recipients of personalized support services as they visit, tour and come to know The Highground. Recognizing its growing responsibility and commitment to Veterans and their families, the Board of Directors began investigating an expansion campaign to address the multiple needs of what is now known as The Highground in late 2018. Volunteers, supporters, and the area’s philanthropic community all shared positive opinions about The Highground, the proposed project, and the potential to expand services to Veterans as the organization continues to evolve and grow. As the capital campaign planning began in the spring of 2020, the Board of Directors also engaged in a strategic planning process to set future goals for the organization. These were aimed at building on existing strengths, while also developing solutions to some weaknesses which were identified. Information was collected via a review of documentation from the organization, individual interviews, a planning session with key volunteers and the Board of Directors, as well as surveying of organizational stakeholders. Upon its completion, the proposed strategic plan outlined goals and key activities for the next five years of the organization, with the fourth and fifth years being more loosely designed to allow for flexibility as the organization changes and evolves. The Study concluded that several key elements would help strengthen the organization, with the main objectives being: 1) development and formalization of programs to better support Veterans and their families, and identifying grant funding to facilitate this; 2) Board training and revitalization; 3) a restructuring of staff to allow the Executive Director more time and energy to grow outside connections; 4) an increase in public relations activities to help expand the organization’s profile beyond the immediate central Wisconsin region and; 5) fundraising strategies to help lessen dependence on special events and focus on a more donor-based fundraising plan. A Building Committee comprised of Board of Directors members and volunteers was convened to manage the details for the expansion project. The group identified the new building placement on the site and program requirements. Concepts solidified into a building design the group was confident would provide The Highground with its expansion goals and objectives. Photorealistic renderings were created to understand the relationship of the new building with existing structures and memorials. Vehicle and pedestrian circulation will be improved and new amenities within the building will be incorporated to aid the organization in fulfilling its important mission to Veterans and Veteran stakeholders. To secure philanthropic success, a regional, state, and national focus is underway. Stakeholders and volunteers will be mobilized to help secure funds for the project, as well as raise awareness of the long-term financial support required for the organization. Please take a look at our supporting documents to read the full case study, click on any of the buttons below! Highground Expansion Project Case Statement Highground Feasibility Study Highground Campaign Brochure Highground Campaign FAQ Guide Highground Campaign Pledge Form Make a Pledge Now for our Continued Growth and Support! The Campaign In The News The Highground launching capital campaign to expand veterans services, facilities The Highground Veterans Memorial Park to kick off $4 million capital campaign Links About the Project What We Do How to Give Donor Recognition Contact Us The Highground Main Website The Highground Veterans Memorial Park W7031 Ridge Rd, Neillsville, WI 54456 P.O. Box 457 Phone: 715-743-4224 Hours of Operation Park open to the public 24/7/365 Gift Shop and Museum Hours: Summer 10am-5pm daily Winter 10am-4pm daily Follow us on facebook twitter...