Client Case Study – Hedgebrook’s 2023 Fundraising Event, EQUIVOX

Who is Hedgebrook?

Hedgebrook, a nonprofit that uplifts women writers from around the world, recently celebrated 35 years of women authoring change at their annual fundraising event, EQUIVOX ’23: Equal Voice. 

This year’s hybrid event was held at Sodo Park and broadcasted online to a global audience. The program highlighted writers Kristen Millares Young, Casey Parks, Putsata Reang and Dr. Sonora Jha, with accompanying performances by local musician Anja Collins Bentsen and inspiring words from Hedgebrook’s Executive Director, Kimberly A.C. Wilson.

How did Hedgebrook reach their fundraising goal?

EQUIVOX ’23 exceeded fundraising goals! Watch their sizzle reel here.

Here are some keys to their success:

• Hybrid fundraising event: Hedgebrook made EQUIVOX as accessible and inclusive as possible by making their event hybrid. By broadcasting their program online, Hedgebrook was able to engage their national audience of alumnae and fans, reaching more donors and supporters than they could have with an in-person only event.
• Focused on mission: In their script, storytelling and appeal, Hedgebrook prioritized their mission of Women Authoring Change. Hedgebrook’s “why” was even integrated into their event name (EQUIVOX = Equal Voice). By engaging their audience with their story, donors were more motivated to give, and give big, because they were given a way to connect more deeply with Hedgebrook’s why.
• Connecting to the land: Hedgebrook’s land on Whidbey Island is very important to their vision of providing extraordinary care for the people who participate in their residencies. By centering their land at their fundraising event in various ways, they brought their mission forward tangibly. They also took donors to a place they might not otherwise have seen and deepened their connection to the work. Hedgebrook created this experience by filming their video content onsite, made EQUIVOX beautiful and delicious with flowers and food from their land and used a replica of a cottage as their backdrop. The Hedgebrook cottages represent care and hospitality–they’re where residency writers spend time with their work, caring for themselves and enjoying the Hedgebrook property.

• Matching gift: Hedgebrook leveraged a matching gift challenge to inspire giving at the $1,000 level, making it possible for donors to double their impact.

How can you get involved with Hedgebrook?

Hedgebrook welcomes people of all ages and genders to get involved in their community. If you are a reader, writer or someone who cares deeply about women’s stories, you belong at Hedgebrook. Watch EQUIVOX and learn more about them here.

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