Honorable Mention for the JL of Salt Lake City, Fund Development
The Junior League of Salt Lake City realizing that not only was it uncomfortably dependent on a single annual gala as its primary fundraiser and communications vehicle, but that the event was increasingly perceived as requiring a lot of effort but delivering a very low financial return. The goals were to move toward a fund development strategy and to provide a robust connection to community priorities.
The League successfully redesigned their annual gala as a stand alone event to part of a fund development strategy. It endeavored to move from an event-based model to a fund-development model, cultivating relationships with donors and prospective donors, local government officials and non-profit community groups, and building public awareness for its community programs. In the process, the League re-engineered its Community Advisory Board, enlisting corporate partners, community leaders and foundations to collaborate on community priorities
The League created a Gifts and Community Outreach Committee and increased member satisfaction by reducing volunteer time requirements. Ultimately, fundraising increased by 17 percent between 2005 and 2009; the annual gala nearly doubled its revenue; more than $60,000 was secured through grants from a more diversified funding base. The profile of the League in the community has improved which has resulted in greater funding opportunities and collaborative opportunities for League community projects.
Member satisfaction of their participation in funding the Leagues programs has improved. Each CAB member is to provide $5k of funding or in-kind donations for League community projects.
