A Community Center for Gallatin Shalom Zone
Challenge:
In 2004, the Sumner County Board of Education deeded the old Union High School to Gallatin Shalom Zone. Executive Director P.J. Davis found herself excited over transforming the 42,000 sq. ft. building into a community center for the inner-city residents the nonprofit serves. But she was aware of the demands of raising the $3.5 million needed for renovations.
To jumpstart the project, Gallatin Shalom Zone’s leadership sought proposals from more than four financial institutions in hopes of finding a partner who could 1) provide a construction loan for the project and 2) manage pledges coming in for the capital campaign.
Solution:
“Pinnacle stood out among all the proposals,” said Davis. "They provided the total package, bringing in a hand-picked team of highly-experienced bankers. Their willingness to accommodate our needs was unmatched, and their passion for our vision and project was evident.”
Pinnacle team members toured Union High School and even committed volunteers to provide financial literacy training and homebuyer’s classes at the new center, according to Davis.
“We appreciated the simplicity of the loan Pinnacle recommended and how they explained upfront from A to Z how everything in their proposal would work so there were no big surprises,” Davis said. “They were proactive in making sure our needs were met, offering a courier service since they did not have a Gallatin office and even calling to walk us step-by-step through learning their online banking platform.”
Result:
In partnership with Pinnacle, Gallatin Shalom Zone is well on its way to opening the Union High Resource Center and having an invaluable community resource center where people of all ages can cultivate skills, participate in healthy activities and find encouragement for life’s challenges.
“I’ve been in the non-profit sector almost 30 years and have never had a banking partner like Pinnacle,” Davis said. “Other banks have good service, but Pinnacle’s level of service and professionalism is unsurpassed. The strengths of their team members make our team stronger and help us ensure we’re being good stewards of contributed dollars.”
About Gallatin Shalom Zone
Founded in 1996, Gallatin Shalom Zone provides services to disadvantaged residents of Gallatin’s Clearview community. First developed by the United Methodist Church, "Shalom Zones” are places of peace for communities to build understanding, be nurtured, and grow in Christian faith. The Gallatin Shalom Zone is the largest of about 300 Shalom Zones across the country. For more information, call (615) 452-8777 or visit www.gallatinshalomzone.org