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Engage Miami Civic Foundation: Storytelling To Grow Major and Monthly Donors

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Founded in 2015 by a group of dedicated local organizers, Engage Miami Civic Foundation has grown to be the oldest, largest and most impactful Florida-based youth organizing and voter registration organization. Engage Miami builds independent civic power with their base of young Black and Latinx voters and leaders across South Florida, with plans to continue their growth.

“IRG means more people see themselves as part of our organization, and see our organization as theirs. Its an opportunity to increase direct, unrestricted support for young peoples power buildin

Overview

With a grant from Progressive Multiplier, Engage Miami developed a storytelling campaign to build a low-dollar sustainer program and a major gifts program.

By designing a comprehensive approach that included events, email campaigns, and storytelling, Engage Miami built a foundation for financial independence while strengthening their movement-building capacity. The project transformed their approach to fundraising and created pathways for deeper community engagement.

Key Strategies & Tactics

Engage Miami's digital fundraising initiative consisted of several integrated components designed to diversify revenue while engaging different segments of their supporter base:

  • Events Strategy: Hosting a series of targeted events including a summer celebration for grassroots supporters and a spring fundraiser for high-dollar donors
  • Digital Storytelling: Creating compelling content featuring young leaders and civic engagement success stories for use in email campaigns and social media
  • Major Donor Program: Developing personalized outreach to potential high-dollar donors through one-on-one meetings and special events
  • Monthly Donor Program: Converting one-time donors and volunteers into recurring supporters through targeted appeals

Lessons Learned

  • Leverage Authentic Leadership

    Personal appeals from passionate leaders generate the strongest response from potential donors and volunteers

  • Invest in Dedicated Capacity

    Revenue generation requires focused staff time and cannot be effectively managed as a side project

  • Embrace Structured Planning

    The project charter and timeline provided essential guidance, especially during staff transitions

  • Connect Fundraising to Mission

    Framing revenue generation as an extension of the organization's values helps overcome hesitation about asking for money

  • Invest in Data Systems

    Clean data and standardized processes are essential for effective donor targeting and engagement

  • Build on In-Person Connections

    Face-to-face interactions at events remain powerful for building the donor base

 

By The Numbers

280 New Donors 4,609 new email subscribers $28,000 Raised by Event donationssponsorships (1)

The Multiplier Effect

ROI

Impact

Through this experiment, Engage Miami was able to create valuable "third spaces" for young people to network within the local ecosystem, strengthening community connections while generating financial support. Their events strategy, which incorporated art-based engagement through interactive installations and live performances, resonated deeply with Miami's cultural scene and attracted new supporters to their cause. 

This approach not only raised funds but enhanced their brand recognition and increased their social capital with elected officials and major donors in the region, as well as key local figures, including Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (the first female Miami-Dade mayor), Xavier Cortona (Miami-Dade County artist in residence), and Amara La Negra (TV personality and Univision host).

Originally motivated by the aftermath of the 2022 midterm elections, when Florida fell off the map as a political priority for national foundations, the increased visibility and community connections directly supported their voter education and civic engagement programs, allowing them to maintain momentum into the next electoral cycle.

EngageMiamiPhotos

 
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