Designing a Fundraising Experience Rooted in Purpose, Community, and Care: How The Hustle Lab Turned KenCCID’s 51st Anniversary Into a Scalable Fundraising Campaign
- Akeya Fortson-Brown
- 14 hours ago
- 4 min read
A year-long donor engagement strategy that launched KenCCID’s first recurring giving initiative, introduced a new signature fundraising event, and raised $16,000, surpassing the organization’s annual fundraising goal by 160%.
"KenCCID didn’t just need an anniversary campaign. The organization needed a way to engage supporters digitally." - Akeya, Marketing Expert at The Hustle Lab
KenCCID is a mission-driven organization committed to promoting dignity and choice to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to reach their full potential.
Its work is grounded in the values of I CARE:
Impact, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Empowerment.
As the organization approached its 51st anniversary, it needed a fundraising strategy that honored its legacy while creating a stronger foundation for the future.
Initially, KenCCID reached out to The Hustle Lab to coordinate an in-person celebration experience to commemorate over 50 years of service and those that have supported the mission along the way.
However, as the project planning began, The Hustle Lab identified an opportunity to celebrate this important milestone while also building a more sustainable fundraising model that could support 50+ more years of service.
This fundraising model was designed to increase visibility, deepen donor connection, and open the door for more consistent giving over time. It wasn’t about planning a single event. It was about building a fundraising ecosystem.
Keep reading to explore how The Hustle Lab turned KenCCID's 51st anniversary celebration into a scalable fundraising campaign.
The Challenge
To create this fundraising ecosystem, The Hustle Lab was challenged to create an annual campaign that could:
Honor a major organizational milestone
Introduce recurring giving for the first time
Engage donors across both digital and in-person channels
Strengthen sponsor and community support
Create an event experience worthy of becoming an annual signature fundraiser
Our Solution
The Hustle Lab developed a campaign titled “51 Years of Empowerment” as a year-long integrated fundraising campaign designed to move supporters from awareness to action and ultimately into long-term engagement.
At the center of the campaign was a simple, symbolic, and accessible ask: Supporters were invited to give $5.10 or more per month in honor of KenCCID’s 51 years of impact.
This created a low-barrier entry point for recurring giving while helping the organization to introduce a new donor behavior for the first time in its history.
To sustain momentum throughout the year, we activated the campaign across KenCCID’s existing digital channels, including the organization’s website, social media platforms, and email newsletter.
Then, to bring the campaign full circle, The Hustle Lab created the KenCCID Cares Banquet, a new signature fundraising event designed to serve as the culmination of the campaign and a launchpad for future growth.
In collaboration with Eluciniere, LLC (Simone Ammons) for strategic direction, client communication, and event day support, The Hustle Lab provided the following services to execute the organization’s integrated fundraising initiative:
Campaign concept development
Fundraising strategy
Recurring giving strategy
Donor engagement strategy
Website campaign support
Email marketing strategy
Social media campaign strategy
Signature event concept creation
Event experience design
Branded collateral planning
Program curation
Event planning and execution
On-site event day coordination
Seamless digital payment options for both corporate donors and individual ticket purchasers
Integration of frictionless tax deductible purchasing options for both corporate donors and individual ticket purchasers
Event Highlights
The Hustle Lab conceptualized, strategized, curated, and executed both the campaign and the event experience from the ground up.
Campaign Strategy
Created the 51 Years of Empowerment campaign concept and messaging
Developed the $5.10+ monthly giving framework tied to KenCCID’s anniversary
Introduced recurring giving as a new fundraising strategy
Built a multi-channel donor engagement approach across website, email, and social media platforms
Designed the campaign to build toward a high-impact, in-person finale
Event Experience Design: KenCCID Cares Banquet
Rather than treating the banquet as a standalone fundraiser, we positioned it as the culminating activation of a year-long donor journey.
To make the experience feel intentional, polished, and mission-aligned, we curated branded touchpoints throughout the event, including:
A branded photo stand
Curated event programs
Branded award certificates
Branded signage
A thoughtfully designed program experience centered on recognition, storytelling, and community connection
The banquet was intentionally built as a scalable annual concept giving KenCCID room to grow sponsorship, donor participation, and fundraising performance over time.
Results
KenCCID’s 51 Years of Empowerment campaign delivered both immediate wins and long-term strategic value.
Outcomes
Generated $16,000 in donations (surpassing the organization’s $10,000 annual goal)
Welcomed 200 attendees to the inaugural KenCCID Cares Banquet
Secured three corporate sponsors, including American Heritage Credit Union, Firstrust Bank, and Marsh McLennan Agency
Launched KenCCID’s first recurring giving campaign
Introduced a $5.10+ monthly giving ask tied to the organization’s 51-year milestone
Created a one-of-a-kind experience for the Individuals KenCCID serves
Established a new annual fundraising event concept with room for future scale
Impact
This project wasn’t just about celebrating a milestone. It was about helping KenCCID evolve how it engages supporters.
By combining campaign strategy, donor psychology, digital engagement, and live experience design, The Hustle Lab helped KenCCID move beyond one-time fundraising moments toward a more sustainable model for growth.
The result was a stronger donor journey, a more memorable supporter experience, and a new annual platform designed to grow with the organization.
For a mission rooted in dignity, choice, and empowerment, the strategy needed to do more than raise money. It needed to make supporters feel connected to the people and purpose behind the work.
That’s exactly what this campaign was built to do. And delivered in style.
Collaborator Perspective
“Akeya and her team at The Hustle Lab are a masterclass in creative expression and precise execution. My work with nonprofit and institutionally matrixed clients has often hinged on her keen eye for detail and her ability to find engaging yet professional ways to amplify messaging across multiple platforms. From brochures and seamless payment link integration to banners, event flow, transition points, and day-of management, she’s already thinking through every detail before you even have to ask.”
— Simone Ammons, Eluciniere, LLC
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