Generous Donation Allows CLI Prison Alliance to Move into New Space

New location will allow nonprofit to vastly expand its services

RALEIGH, N.C. (Feb. 22, 2022) – CLI Prison Alliance, formerly Christian Library International, has announced that it is relocating its operations to 3001 Spring Forest Road in Raleigh following a generous donation. A donor who wishes to remain anonymous has purchased the 27,500-square-foot building and is allowing CLI Prison Alliance to occupy the space rent-free. 

Founded in 1996, CLI donates Bibles, Christian books, and volunteer-reviewed correspondence Bible studies. In 2021, the organization shipped over 400,000 Bibles and books to inmates throughout the United States, while simultaneously equipping partners in the Philippines, Tanazania, Nigeria, and parts of Latin America.

CLI will initially occupy 11,500 square feet with hopes of growing into the entire building. Its former offices occupied just 3,500 square feet. CLI hopes to hold an open house in March to welcome guests, volunteers and local pastors to the new facility. 

The new space will allow CLI to expand its services and amenities where the old space could not. The benefits of this new space include the following:

·       Quadrupled warehouse space that will allow the organization to proactively partner with Christian publishing houses and authors across the nation. The old space allowed for the storage of 5 pallets. The new space allows for 84 pallets to be racked in true warehouse style.

·       A true loading dock that can receive semi-trucks with full loads. The previous office did not have a dock so all of the deliveries had to be offloaded by hand, disassembling pallets box-by-box.

·       Space to accommodate more than 100 volunteers at one time for receiving, processing and mailing Bibles and books to prison facilities across the nation. The old space could only accommodate 20 volunteers in a tight space.

·       A dedicated training room that can hold 25-40 people, instead of using the boardroom in the old building which could only hold 8-10 individuals. 

·       Space for multiple volunteers to review inmate Bible studies and reply to letters on property where the current space could only allow one volunteer at a time.

·       A fully functioning kitchen that can host community awareness events and volunteer appreciation events. The previous location had a small breakroom with enough room for 6 people.

·       A dedicated boardroom that can host up to 10 guests for “Lunch and Learn” sponsorship information sessions. Previously, the boardroom served as a multipurpose room for meetings and volunteer activities.

·       Dedicated space to house CLI’s international efforts. This has been needed over the last 2 years, but space in the old location would not allow for it.

In addition to free rent provided by the owner of this newly acquired building, additional donors also stepped up to purchase an electronic pallet mover, a racking system that is up to code, and updated computer equipment for the warehouse. Other donors came together to pay for the new ceiling tiles, granite counter tops, new lighting, all new flooring, and painting throughout the building. Even the kitchen appliances were purchased by one of CLI’s partners.

“God is moving in incredible ways! We are so blessed to be the beneficiary of such generosity as we help spread the Gospel to incarcerated people around the world,” said Cathy Phillips, CEO of CLI Prison Alliance. CLI is accredited by the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA) and a recipient of a Platinum Seal from Guidestar. Phillips continued, “We strive to be good stewards of every dollar and gift donated. This new building will allow us to do so much more, while still keeping our operating costs low.”