New Podcast: Case Study with Executive Director, Emily Norton
On this month’s podcast, you’re hearing straight from my client, Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association in Boston. I’ve loved every minute working with Emily; she makes me belly laugh in most meetings, is an A+ student, and is a task-master. YOU CAN LISTEN HERE.
During our work together, she’s made a huge mindset shift from scarcity to abundance and growth. It’s been so fun to watch.
“If you’re a for-profit business you get to think boldly. A huge part of the benefit Sherry’s given me is the license to think boldly. We needed that help to give us the confidence to grow at a greater pace. When we started, we had already put together a Strategic Plan with very minimal growth. Sherry came in and highlighted to us that it may not be attractive to investment level donors. Thinking small wasn’t good for our organization and it was actually hurting our ability to reach our fundraising goals. Now, we’re thinking big, and we’ve put into practice the things that allow us to get there. We’ve grown our budget by 40% this year compared to past years when a 10% growth trajectory was the norm.”
- Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association
Here’s a snapshot of what you’re going to hear from this amazing leader today:
[2:00] She’s been a successful fundraiser working on political campaigns and advocacy in Washington DC, but always leaned on common sense and admittedly a bit of ‘winging it’. She explains why she reached out to me to get her organization to that next level.
[5:30] The day a $50K stock gift landed in her lap and she knew her team was leaving money on the table. . .
[6:45] What the shift from scarcity to bold budgeting felt like and how she made it to the other side.
[7:20] The realization that her Strategic Plan’s growth goals weren’t big enough and how she felt comfortable changing them mid-stream.
[9:20] What Emily’s major donor conversations look like now.
[10:30] What’s changed among the staff and board as a result of our work together.
[15:40] A super practical tool Emily (and all my clients) learn how to use. And how that’s been a game changer for CRWA when soliciting donors.
[17:45] Why it was the right time to invest in a Case for Support and a content strategist like Erin Straza.
To connect with Emily or to listen to this podcast episode in its entirety, go here.
Whenever you’re ready, here are THREE things you can do next:
👣 Follow me on LinkedIn here where I share the same lessons I teach my clients about attracting larger gen-ops dollars and adding 7-figures + to their bottom line.
🍎 Read my GUIDE! THE TRUTH ABOUT GIVE/GETS :: Top 5 Reasons Your Board’s Give/Get Is Leaving Thousands (Sometimes Millions) on the Table. See how limiting board members to the Give/Get model restricts gifts and keeps your staff from reaching their full fundraising potential. Here to get it.
📈 Work with me to scale your org's revenue by 2-5X and fund your organization’s Strategic Plan // If you’re a business-minded CEO already raising MILLIONS but need to diversify revenue and secure more general-operating dollars to invest in growth, you can apply to work with me here.
