Audubon Nature Institute is a premier national attraction in New Orleans, comprising a zoo, aquarium, insectarium, nature center, species survival center, and parks. Its mission is to inspire and educate the public about wildlife conservation, fostering a connection between people and nature through diverse educational programs and immersive experiences. With a commitment to environmental stewardship, Audubon aims to enhance the cultural and ecological landscape of the community it serves.
Highlights
Strategic Campaign Launch
S&W partnered with Audubon Nature Institute to launch a $125 million comprehensive campaign, providing in-depth analysis and strategic planning to identify key priorities and align community support.
Record Membership Acquisition
The Spring 2023 and 2024 Membership Acquisition Campaigns collectively achieved over 7,300 new memberships, generating more than $1.5 million in gross revenue, demonstrating the effectiveness of targeted multichannel outreach strategies.
Leadership Transition Support
S&W provided counsel and support for onboarding a new Vice President for Philanthropy and developed strategies for campaign communications and donor engagement during leadership transitions, ensuring continuity and effectiveness in fundraising efforts.
The Challenge
The Audubon Nature Institute sought to redefine its fundraising strategy and increase its financial sustainability following significant impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic. With a focus on enhancing its mission-driven programs, Audubon aimed to launch an ambitious campaign to raise $125 million in public and private funds to support key capital projects and educational initiatives. The need for a comprehensive assessment of the current development programs and the identification of potential funding sources became imperative for achieving these goals in a challenging economic climate.
The Solution
S&W partnered with Audubon Nature Institute to conduct a thorough internal development assessment and campaign planning study. This process involved evaluating fundraising capabilities and community engagement. Following this, Audubon engaged S&W for their Spring 2023 and Spring 2024 Membership Acquisition Campaigns, which collectively included targeted mailings to over 487,000 households and a strategic multichannel approach that integrated email, social media, and direct mail. These efforts yielded over 7,300 new memberships and generated more than $1.5 million in gross revenue, significantly boosting Audubon’s revenue streams.
As campaign counsel for the Today, Tomorrow and Always comprehensive campaign we partnered with the CEO and the VP for Philanthropy to ensure recruitment of strong campaign volunteer leadership, ongoing prospect cultivation as well as alignment across departments to maintain momentum throughout the campaign. Additionally, S&W provided essential support for the onboarding of a new Vice President for Philanthropy, developing strategies for effective communication with major donors during this transition. This collaboration established a framework for sustainable growth, enhancing Audubon’s mission of wildlife conservation and community engagement.
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