When Smart Start of Mecklenburg County (SSMC) aimed to raise awareness and funds through their annual event, they partnered with The Bogues Group to handle marketing and event planning. The goal: engage donors, highlight the organization’s mission, and successfully execute a digital-first fundraising experience.
“I can’t thank you enough for all of the work you put into our OFI event… You all stepped in from day one and took on any and every task that needed to be done in order to make the event a success.” — Mike Blackwelder, Executive Director
The Challenge
- The ongoing pandemic created virtual fatigue, making it difficult to capture attention and motivate donors.
- This was SSMC’s first digital event, and their team lacked prior experience in planning and executing an engaging online fundraiser.
- The organization needed to increase awareness of its mission: ensuring all children in Mecklenburg County are ready to thrive by age 5.
The Bogues Group Approach
- Collaborated with SSMC Board members to create customized fundraising pages tailored to their networks.
- Designed a unique, live digital event broadcast from the Smart Start studio featuring staff, board members, and community stakeholders.
- Managed marketing campaigns to drive registration, awareness, and donor engagement.
- Provided end-to-end support for planning, execution, and post-event follow-up to ensure a seamless experience.
Results
- Secured over 175 registrants for the live digital event.
- Raised over $40,000 to support SSMC programming and community impact initiatives.
- Increased awareness of the organization’s mission and community reach.
- The event was praised for professionalism, creativity, and successful execution.
The collaboration between Smart Start of Mecklenburg County and The Bogues Group demonstrates the power of strategic digital event planning and marketing. By leveraging customized fundraising pages, live digital engagement, and professional execution, SSMC was able to reach new audiences, engage donors effectively, and strengthen its mission-driven impact in the community.