Grayling Chamber Benefits from Collaborative Training Grant
The Grayling Chamber wanted to improve their Chamber events and have a better understanding and plan when targeting sponsors. They tended to always go after the same sponsors, but over time realized there is burn-out from donors. They needed some non-profit guidance.
Business Solutions Professional, Alayne Hansen, was trying to put together an Industry Led Collaborative (ILC) training for non-profit training and get the training funded through the Skilled Trades Training Fund (STTF). When Alayne heard of the Chamber’s needs, she invited them to join the Collaborative. By partnering together for the ILC grant, four local Grayling area non-profits (including the Chamber) were awarded funding towards non-profit training.
Kirtland Community College provided the training and the Grayling Chamber sent their Executive Director, Traci Cook. Traci reports that they had a wonderful trainer, who was super knowledgeable. Traci also was able to make contacts with other nonprofit agencies who were involved in the training, so now she can bounce ideas off them. The trainees built valuable relationships through the training and now have a much better strategy when planning events. For example, Traci says, “We’ve now learned to target donors based on interests and tailor asks towards events and outings that pertain to people's interests and/or hobbies or past working and present working experiences.”
Traci continues, “The training I received through the STTF Industry-Led Collaborative designed specifically to help nonprofit companies, like the Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce, covered essentials needed to be successful including event sponsorships. Our Chamber relies on sponsors for many of our events and the training brought new understanding of sponsor engagement and follow up, and how to target potential sponsors so each event makes a profit. We really appreciate the opportunity to receive such valuable training.”
In continuation of their support, Michigan Works! is now assisting the Chamber in organizing a 2-day employer conference with multiple speakers covering a variety of topics that will benefit employers in all industries.