The Horry County Museum is dedicated to collecting and preserving materials that reflect the county’s prehistory, natural history, history, and culture, with some artifacts dating back as far as 5,000 years. After nearly 30 years of operation in Conway’s original post office, the museum faced significant space constraints, able to display only 10% of its holdings. In preparation for an $8.3 million project to relocate the museum, Benefactor Group was invited to provide counsel to prepare leaders and volunteers for the initiative.

Benefactor Group’s counsel included writing a compelling case for support, tailoring a comprehensive campaign strategy, and positioning the museum to secure crucial funding. This work led to a $5 million grant from Horry County and a $500,000 leadership gift from a local business. Additionally, Benefactor Group assisted museum leaders in obtaining substantial competitive funding from the State of South Carolina. The new museum, expected to open in 2009 in the historic Burroughs School, will feature 28,000 square feet of exhibition space, creating a dramatic new tourist destination in Horry County.