“The road to success is always under construction” ~Marianne Esposito, 2012
Timeline 2011 - 2014
At the end of 2010 the Foundation faced both opportunities and challenges. With the loss of core technology and marketing volunteers and changes in Walk leadership,TBBCF needed to revisit its vision and adjust the mission accordingly. The ‘little engine” needed some work.
Luckily, in 2011, we discovered ways to build a village of support around recruiting additional cash and in-kind sponsors, elevating our events and promotions presence, replacing retired year-round core volunteers, and embracing new technologies to elevate TBBCF’s fundraising successes.
2011 Board of Directors to-do list:
Find sponsor dollars or grant monies to hire an executive director/paid staff.
Grow volunteer base.
Fix the website – find a CT company who could get the site up and running for not a lot of money while continuing to use the original website design
Two part-time salaried executive directors, Marianne Esposito (2011-2013) and Mary DeVizia (2013-2015), are credited with jump-starting TBBCF by addressing the challenges at the end of 2010 and creating new opportunities going forward.
In 2011, the Foundation announced the appointment of Marianne Esposito to the position of Executive Director. Marianne, a five-year full marathoner, retired AT&T executive and southeastern CT resident, brought enormous business savvy and strong communication skills to the role. She began to work towards a clear set of goals established by the Board.
Ensuring sponsorships and donations cover 2011-12 requirements
- Increased sponsorship dollars from less than $60K yearly through 2010 to a high of $90K in 2012. TBBCF financial information is available on our website at https://tbbcf.org/financials/ .
- Secured significant in-kind sponsors including filmmakers, David LaMattina and Chad Walker, who developed short films highlighting the Walk Across SECT and our breast cancer research program.
- Hosted two TBBCF seasonal events, The Pink Poinsettia Party 12/11 and the Camp Odetah Resort TBBCF FUNdraising weekend 5/12.
- Produced impressive overall results in a seven-year average $343K/year directed to breast cancer research
- In 2011 there were 320 walkers and 210 volunteers, and in 2012 there were 351 walkers and 167 volunteers. Click here for October 2011 Newsletter.
- TBBCF awarded three research grants in 2011 and three research grants in 2012.
Implementing critical capital/operational improvements
- Inherited an inoperative website in 2011 resulting in Marianne rolling up her sleeves and securing a business arrangement with 4Biz, a Connecticut company who were able to repair and refresh the site in the format TBBCF used from 2006-2010, Microsoft aspx.
- Secured sponsor dollars to support the redesign and rewrite of TBBCF’s website in 2012.
- Those improvements provided the ease, flexibility, and up-to-date information needed for TBBCF to expand in the future including a content management tool.
Increasing and engaging the Foundation volunteer base (Walk and year-round volunteers)
- Renegotiated the executive director salary allowing Marianne the ability to provide several stipends to part-time staff to assist her with marketing/communications (Claudia Marks), development and outreach (Pat Newborg) and Walk management (Ellen Swercewski).
- One vehicle was promoting TBBCF through interviews on Connecticut’s Channel 8 News. Click on the links to view videos: 2011: Marianne/Ellen and 2012: Claudia/Ellen.
- Recruited new year-round volunteers including Pam Watt, TBBCF founding/sustaining matching gift administrator, and repurposed Sandy Maniscalco’s role into website content management.
- Secured funding from the Community Foundation to implement summer hire program which offered five area high school students summer employment and more importantly, a younger demographic.
Organize and market the Walk Across SECT
- Made significant contributions in the development and outreach arena.
- Assisted TBBCF supporters who hosted annual events across southeastern Connecticut and Westerly, RI averaging between 30 and 40 events and/or promotions each year. In 2012 over $85K was raised through events and/or promotions
- Continued to partner with companies or groups to promote breast cancer awareness and yearly promotions
- Supported area schools, golf organizations, and local municipalities in producing events/promotions
The 2013 Annual Meeting slides provide high-level results for Marianne and her team’s successes for 2012.
Marianne remained in that role through the first quarter of 2013 helping TBBCF recruit and hire Mary DeVizia.
In the spring of 2013, Mary brought a different but similar set of skills to the role - leading with extensive event planning with an emphasis on executive corporate event experience along with a strong networking background which would prove to be highly effective during her two-year tenure.
Ensure Sponsorships and Grants cover Requirements Cover 2013-2014
- Maintained sponsorships at around $85K and above. TBBCF financial information is available on our website at https://tbbcf.org/financials/
- Produced impressive overall results in a seven-year average $343K/year directed to breast cancer research (See 2015 Annual Meeting Slides)
- In 2013 there were 340 walkers and 200 volunteers, and in 2014 there were 389 walkers and 173 volunteers
- TBBCF awarded three research grants in 2013 and three research grants in 2014.
Implement Critical Capital/Operational Improvements
“The road to success is always under construction” ~Marianne Esposito, 2012
- Need for another website refresh resulted in contracting with local website development/management companies to rebrand the TBBCF website using an off the shelf product, WordPress, which is still used today.
- Negotiated a reduced rate for website development and hosting through Pyramid Design and Vizen Studies. WordPress also rich in content management tools and most information was processed in-house by volunteer staff.
Increase and Engage the Foundation Volunteer Base
- Support key year-round volunteers in Foundation positions (reduces demands on paid staff)
- During 2013-14, Mary and her team were able to recruit a large number of year-round volunteers to assist with operations, development and outreach, many of whom remained in their volunteer roles until 2017. Pictured below is the December, 2013 holiday luncheon with many of the year-round volunteers and staff.
- Recruited new key walk leadership positions after second transition of long-standing volunteers to new team members
- Maintained the Walk Across SECT volunteer base
Organize and market the Walk Across SECT and provide support
- Hosted two TBBCF seasonal events, 2013 The Pink Show (Westerly Sun Story) in partnership with Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce
- Hosted the 2014 TBBCF 50 Shades of Pink Dinner Dance/Silent Auction at the Mystic Marriott. Click here for the photo collage. Event raised over $8.5K.
- Expanded regional partnerships with towns (Mystic/Niantic/Old Saybrook/Westerly) resulting in increased events and promotions including walk team sponsored events
- Cultivated and built the model for hands-off approach to supporting all events and promotions
- Began introducing TBBCF supporters to the first TBBCF survivor story with a short piece on walker/volunteer/patient advocate/matching gift coordinator, Pam Watt
- Partnered with Connecticut Channel 8 (2013 Channel 8 Interview with Mary DeVisa and Ellen Swercewski)
- Partnered with Channel 3 news anchor, Eric Parker, to promote TBBCF Walk and all events and promotions
- Recruited Eric Parker to host 2014 Closing Ceremonies
The 2015 Annual Meeting slides provide high level results for success for 2014.