CONNECTICUT RIVER WATERSHED COUNCIL INC

Staff and board share this goal of diversifying and expanding the community of people who are part of CRC. When asked about their vision for the organization’s future, many staff and trustees envision a larger network of younger folks, people of color and people who live in urban areas adjacent to the river. Furthermore, with the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, inequities that have existed within our watershed for generations, and that have been painfully obvious to poor communities and communities of color, have been highlighted. There is a greater understanding that we are all interdependent, and that we all suffer when some within our community are denied their basic human rights to food, water, shelter, education, clean water and a healthy environment. It’s a unique time and it requires a unique response that responds to the current context. This is both a mission imperative, and a critical component of CRC’s continued financial sustainability. This plan seeks to significantly broaden and diversify CRC over the next 5 years.

Strategic Donor Base Growth Actions

There are many different groups that are compelling targets for CRC’s donor base growth
efforts. The following groups represent the ones we plan to strategically prioritize in the
coming five years.
I. Local Tributary Organizations
II. CRC Volunteers
III. Youth
IV. Abutters
V. River User Groups

CRC’s performance will be evaluated on metrics annually. (See Strategic Growth Plan for details)

This plan was created by CRC staff. We could not be certain about the time commitment but will evaluate as we go.
(See Evaluation of Success)

We have made accomplishments in the Growth Plan with execution of outreach for retention to new members, loyal donors, recurring givers. Steps have been taken to execute plan for volunteers. A DEI program is underway and
attended by staff and board to increase ability to reach a more diverse community of river lovers. We have just made a mailing to abutters.
CRC has expanded the number of opportunities for an initial first gift, including:
• Continuing and expanding the practice of asking for a gift when someone registers for
an event.
• Expanding the option to donate when you make a River Shop purchase.
• Exploring ways to build on year-round engagement and stewardship of Source to Sea
volunteers by incorporating asks at the right times using new tools like text giving, and
targeted and thankful follow up via email, social media, etc.
• Considering asking for a gift at the time that people access high use tools on our site
like the Is it Clean site, the Paddlers’ Trail app, etc.