Strategic Membership Engagement, Strengthened Partnerships
Grantmakers for Southern Progress
Grantmakers for Southern Progress and Indigo Innovation Group co-designed and implemented a successful membership campaign, engaging key partners, refining messaging, and increasing the capacity of the director and steering committee to build long-term support and impact.
Name
About Grant Makers for Southern Progress
Grantmakers for Southern Progress (GSP) is a philanthropic network dedicated to advancing progressive social change in the Southern United States. GSP brings together funders to collaborate on issues of racial, economic, and social justice, supporting grassroots efforts that drive systemic change in Southern communities.
— Abena Asante, St. David's Foundation
Challenge
Grantmakers for Southern Progress sought to develop and implement a strategic annual membership campaign to engage key philanthropic partners and broaden their network of support. GSP required strategic thought partnership, data-driven insights, and operational support to refine their membership structure, secure new members, and enhance the capacity of the director and steering committee to reach a wider base of partners.
Solution
Indigo Innovation Group (IIG) partnered with GSP to design and implement an annual membership campaign through three phases: planning, strategic implementation, and assessment/impact. IIG provided thought leadership and strategic support to the director, supported program committee members, and refined campaign messaging to engage 35 pre-identified organizations/individuals. IIG also collaborated with GSP to create communication resources, coordinate program committee meetings, and build consensus on the campaign approach.
Results
Indigo coordinated program committee meetings, refined messaging, and launched a "soft launch" membership drive to engage potential members and secure key sign-ons.
The campaign resulted in 20 new members, strengthened organizational messaging, and increased GSP’s capacity to maintain long-term partnerships and achieve its mission.