Team Long Run
Portland, Maine
Industry:
501c-3, Learning & Education
Strategies Needed:
Marketing, Communications, PR
Founded:
2015
The Work We Did
Team Long Run’s mission centered on helping children in underdeveloped areas reach the reading and learning levels they deserve. While their programs were highly valued by Head Start initiatives and Title 1 schools, securing consistent funding through donations and grants remained a challenge. We developed a comprehensive marketing strategy to elevate their visibility and engagement, crafted compelling pitch materials to support fundraising efforts, and built a clear communication roadmap designed to connect with donors at every level.
Team Long Run's Timeline
As of now
2019-2025
September, 2018
Today, Team Long Run has grown to serve 8–10 schools each year, along with multiple Head Start programs. They’ve secured support from 12 major donors and hundreds of additional contributors, creating a strong foundation for sustainability. The organization has also expanded its donor offerings through the Trek Program—an initiative that provides unique travel experiences while directing all proceeds back into programs that benefit the kids.
I (Jake Meier) joined Team Long Run's Board of Directors and continued mapping out strategies and implementing new tactics as the landscape they were in changed. We saw year-over-year growth in all facets of our offerings while connecting with local and national donors.
We began by mapping out what long-term success would look like for Team Long Run. At the time, the organization was active in just a handful of schools and operating primarily on one or two major grants that needed to stretch across an entire year. Planning focused on building a sustainable path forward, ensuring their mission could continue to grow and thrive beyond short-term funding cycles.