In 2015, Erin Huber, Founder and Executive Director of Drink Local Drink Tap (DLDT), had her hands full – running and growing her non-profit organization without the help of a paid staff. She needed help raising funds and awareness, especially since her inaugural fundraising event, 4 Miles 4 Water, hadn’t been as successful (or as easy to plan) as she had hoped. That’s when Gail Palmer, owner of Palmer Event Solutions, was asked to help.
We partnered with DLDT, and over the course of five years, have helped them develop and implement a long-term event planning strategy – one that includes a cycle of annual events designed to grow awareness, build relationships, and raise funds to support their mission. The strategy is primarily about making incremental improvements year after year, not only growing events but also freeing up Erin’s time, enabling her to focus on the mission and growth of the organization. Since we’ve begun working with Erin, DLDT has grown to include paid administrative staff, interns, a more robust board of trustees and an associate board.
The event pictured here, 4 Miles 4 Water, is both a fund-raising and awareness-raising event that highlights the plight of those without access to fresh water. At the event, there’s an educational “All Things Water” festival, culminating in a four-mile run and one-mile walk. The non-traditional run length is inspired by the average distance that people around the world have to walk on a daily basis to access drinking water.
