Grow Dat Youth Farm: Cultivating Growth through Infrastructure

Nestled in the heart of New Orleans, Grow Dat Youth Farm, is sowing the seeds of change through youth empowerment and sustainable agriculture. Known for its innovative approach to nurturing the land and future leaders, the farm is now embarking on a project to strengthen its roots and expand its reach.

Grow Dat Youth Farm understands that, much like the crops they tend, nurturing strong relationships and efficient systems requires time and care. Through this initiative, they are not just growing food—they are cultivating a movement, one donor, one youth, and one harvest at a time.

Overview

Grow Dat Youth Farm implemented a comprehensive donor management system to generate independent revenue while advancing their core mission. By upgrading their CRM infrastructure and implementing a cohesive donor cultivation strategy, Grow Dat built a foundation for financial independence while strengthening their capacity to engage supporters. The project transformed their approach to fundraising and created pathways for deeper community engagement.

Key Strategies & Tactics

Grow Dat's donor cultivation initiative consisted of several integrated components designed to streamline operations while engaging different segments of their supporter base. They consolidated five disconnected systems into a unified CRM solution, integrating Bloomerang with Qgiv to manage donor relationships, process payments, and coordinate communications. Their multi-channel approach included monthly newsletters with improved open rates, consistent social media engagement, farm dinners and workshops with integrated donation opportunities, and advocacy campaigns that converted supporters to donors.

Lessons Learned

• Research Thoroughly: Take time to fully investigate CRM options, asking detailed questions about functionality and integration capabilities.
• Budget Realistically: Allocate sufficient staff time for implementation, as this often requires more resources than anticipated.
• Integrate Advocacy and Fundraising: Connect mission-related campaigns with donor cultivation for maximum impact.
• Prioritize Data Cleanliness: Invest time in organizing data before migration to ensure the new system starts with accurate information.
• Consider Timing: Recognize that certain seasons may be less effective for fundraising campaigns.
• Focus on Adoption: Develop strategies to encourage staff across the organization to utilize the new systems.

By The Numbers

$36,035 revenue generated during the grant period

216 new donors added

47% donor retention rate

Impact

Grow Dat Youth Farm's improved systems not only streamlined operations but supported their successful advocacy campaign to secure their future in City Park. By implementing user-friendly systems and clear processes, Grow Dat began to shift from having fundraising concentrated within the development team to engaging co-directors, managers, and board members in cultivation activities.

The organization discovered that their advocacy work created significant engagement opportunities, organizing "People's Planning Forums" that not only advanced their advocacy goals but also served as platforms for donor cultivation and community building. This integration of mission and fundraising demonstrates how mission-driven organizations can leverage technology to build sustainable revenue streams while advancing their core work.

As Grow Dat continues to refine their approach and expand their donor base, they are positioned to increase their independent revenue generation in the coming years. This shift provides greater flexibility to pursue their mission of nurturing young leaders through sustainable agriculture and food justice, creating a model for how community-based organizations can achieve financial sustainability while expanding their impact.