Raising Money & Profile
SYMPHONY NEW BRUNSWICKElevating an outstanding arts organization with strategic, story-driven fundraising and media relations campaigns.
Campaigns For the Future
Driving Donations & Media Coverage FOR a beloved orchestra
Symphony New Brunswick celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2020. The milestone was an exciting opportunity to look to the future and honour its past. SNB launched an ambitious campaign to grow its endowment to $10 million by 2025 to give it stability and the resources to pursue excellence for many years. And in 2021, after a years-long search, it hired the dynamic Mélanie Leonard as its next conductor and music director.
For the fundraising campaign and media outreach around Maestra Leonard’s appointment, SNB needed strategic copywriting for web, press materials, and a series of promotional videos celebrating its past and painting a picture of a bright future.
“Kate’s copy & creative direction gave renewed life to our organization” -Gillian Gresh, SNB’s director of Donor Relations
The Challenge
Launching a fundraising campaign in the midst of a global pandemic meant that Symphony NB could not rely on in-person events. It needed a strong digital campaign to hit its goal of attracting new donors and encouraging giving to this milestone campaign.
And when SNB hired its new conductor, Maestra Mélanie Leonard, it wanted to ensure broad and wide coverage in provincial, national and international news and music industry outlets.
With a single team member dedicated to marketing, Symphony New Brunswick needed to bring on additional support in content creation, creative and strategic direction and media relations and outreach.
The Solution
Working closely with SNB’s president and director of donor relations, Kate helped develop a fundraising campaign strategy and assets, including media materials, a new website and a series of videos celebrating SNB’s rich history and the fascinating people who have contributed to its growth. The campaign was a great success, far exceeding its targets, even during the austerity of the pandemic. And the media relations campaign announcing Ms. Leonard’s appointment garnered record coverage for SNB.
- One piece of writing raised over $10,000 the morning it launched
- Fundraising campaign goals exceeded
- Ms. Leonard’s announcement garnered international media coverage in 19 outlets in four countries and two languages
“Kate’s copy and creative direction gave renewed life to our organization."