LEADERSHIP SARATOGA CLASS PROJECTS

Non-profit organizations can submit a project proposal for consideration through this link.

2023-24

LIFEWORKS COMMUNITY ACTION - Since 2005, LifeWorks (formerly Saratoga County EOC) has conducted an annual photography workshop and exhibit titled “Estamos Aquí” (We Are Here) and hosted an annual celebration of the photographers and new photos with the goal of providing the resources and platform for self-representation for Latinos in Saratoga. Leadership Saratoga provided research, planning and strategy for LifeWorks for a potential expanded community showcase of Latino art and culture coinciding with the annual reception for “Estamos Aqui.”

OUR LODGE FOUNDATION - Our Lodge Foundation’s primary purpose is to support Frederick Allen Elks Lodge #609 (F.A. Lodge) – a Black international fraternal organization - in their philanthropic efforts, as well as the sustainment and upgrade of the building, located on Beekman Street in Saratoga Springs. Our Lodge Foundation’s works to support this nearly 100-year-old local organization, while bringing greater visibility and interaction with the Lodge and invigorating Saratoga’s African American community, as well as other groups. Leadership Saratoga helped Our Lodge Foundation with a communications, outreach and development strategy that could be executed by volunteers for the organization, helping Our Lodge Foundation to enhance its capabilities in myriad ways.

SARATOGA PRIDE - Saratoga Pride is an affiliate of the Pride Center of the Capital Region, a 501(c)3 organization. An all-volunteer organization, Saratoga Pride has served the LGBTQ+ community and allies for more than 15 years. Leadership Saratoga class members helped to create a strategy to expand County-wide programs and opportunities for effective partnerships with businesses and non-profit organizations aligned with the mission of Saratoga Pride. Additionally, Leadership Saratoga helped Saratoga Pride expand its public library partnership program in Saratoga County, helping to serve local LGBTQ+ communities and allies.

SARATOGA SPONSOR-A-SCHOLAR - Saratoga Sponsor a Scholar is a not-for-profit organization that assists students from Saratoga Springs High School in graduating from high school and attending and graduating from college or other technical higher learning program. As part of the program, each student is provided resources and connections to support their success, including partnering with a mentor from the business community. Leadership Saratoga helped Saratoga Sponsor-a-Scholar to re-envision and update its mentor handbook and provided additional consulting on mentor recruitment.

2022-23

THE ACADEMY FOR LIFELONG LEARNING – The project team worked to help connect the academy’s senior members with a plan to provide hybrid events through recording in-person courses and activities and promoting accessibility through the hybrid options available to members.

CAPTAIN HUMAN SERVICES – With reliable and affordable transportation a crucial need for Saratoga County, the project team worked to assist in a community-wide effort to successfully launch a collaborative approach to increase access to reliable and affordable transportation options for low-income individuals and households, senior citizens, and other community members.

FRIENDS OF THE SARATOGA SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY – The project team worked with the Friends to assist with growth opportunities, including strategies and plans to increase memberships, drive brand awareness, and enhance fundraising. 

WELLSPRING – The project team worked with Wellspring to plan workforce development initiatives for those it serves through collaboration with the business sector to address their needs, strategies to work with clients to identify interests to select a career growth path, provision of targeted training for employment readiness, and to assess participant ‘life needs’ and addressing obstacles to employment success.

2019

CAFFE LENA During a recent major capital improvement project, the Caffe added a multi-camera, high-definition video system to capture and stream live performances for audiences around the world. This also documented performances so they could later be used for educational and entertainment purposes. The project team worked with the Caffe to develop a strategy to grow the online audience, assisted in research to develop an appropriate business model, located potential pre-show and intermission content, as well as created marketing materials to share the message of this new avenue of viewing Caffe performances.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY Through a partnership with the Saratoga Builder's Association and BOCES, Habitat committed to building a Tiny House. The Tiny House was on display and highlighted during the 2019 Showcase of Homes. The project team worked with Habitat to find ways to promote the Tiny House prior to the Showcase, raising awareness of all three organizations as well as the use of Tiny Houses as an affordable housing option.

HOME MADE THEATER Leading up to their 35th anniversary (2019-2020) and with a new strategic plan aimed at establishing the theater as a "Center for Live Theater," the project team supported HMT's efforts. They developed brand awareness strategies to boost presence in the region, explored innovative ways to attract audiences who may face barriers, and thereby increased attendance and impact in the County. They also proposed ideas, events, and projects to capitalize on the 35th anniversary, including identifying potential collaborative community partners to create programming for the anniversary season.

MECHANICVILLE AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES CENTER (MACSC) In 2019, the organization celebrated their 50th anniversary. The project team worked to assist the center in sharing their story of the past 50 years with the community. They researched and executed an overall communications strategy, exploring various avenues of delivery.

2018

THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM AT SARATOGA - During a period when the Museum underwent a leadership transition with a new Executive Director, expanded its space, added programming, and incorporated technology for improved functioning, a timely overhaul of the Membership and Marketing was initiated. The project team evaluated existing systems and structures, assessed new community opportunities, and designed a new Membership structure that benefits the community. This was complemented by the creation of marketing materials, including a short video, website updates, branded outdoor signage, a social media plan, and printed materials, which the Museum has utilized going forward.

THE GALWAY PUBLIC LIBRARY - As the community prepared to build a new library, the project team worked to find ways to engage the Galway community and beyond, by understanding the needs and wants for usage, finding opportunities to engage and educate the community and through creation of supporting materials for the library to use to continue ongoing community dialogue and connections.

SOUTHERN SARATOGA YMCA - The team researched, designed and implemented a low ropes course in the trail system recently created on the Y's property, with a focus on young children as the main user group. They also researched, designed and implemented a labryinth for users on grounds off of the trail.

THE WILTON FOOD PANTRY - The project team researched the community to find avenues to connect with additional people in the community who could benefit from the services they offer as well as connecting with volunteers who would work with the organization. This included outreach plans and development of promotional materials.

2017

GRANT COTTAGE - Assess the current marketing strategies and materials being used. Develop a plan to increase the awareness, outreach and visitation of this National Historic Site. Develop a marketing strategy for a variety of targeted audiences and corresponding materials. An increase in membership of the Friends of Ulysses S. Grant Cottage is another goal based on the increased awareness. 

RAIS (Recovery Advocacy In Saratoga) - In conjunction with the Prevention Council, the umbrella organization for RAIS, create a brand and identify collaborative partnerships throughout the Saratoga County community. This is intended to increase visibility of both the positive side of Recovery as well as the awareness of RAIS for those effected by Recovery. This project will also assist with the visibility of the yet to be constructed Recovery Community Center.

SARATOGA REGIONAL YMCA - The development of a corporate and non-profit teambuilding component for the Y's new Outdoor Center Project. This includes the structure of the programs that might be available, research about other similar projects created by other organizations and the marketing strategy required to share this opportunity with the community.

WELLSPRING- A feasibility study, investigating the intersection of business, education and human services sector, to determine if our community is interested in and willing and able to support a program to prepare and place women in non-traditional employment roles.

2016

BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS – An awareness project to showcase the services offered in Saratoga County, provide opportunity for Saratoga County businesses to get involved with the organization and further promote the new national campaign "StartUp Something". Specifically focusing on the STEM and STEAM interests of many of the children who are served, the team will create connections with schools and businesses to assist in educating them about these industries. Specific measurables include; creating targeted media plan, design of promotional materials, organizing and hosting at least one open house with an area business and creation of a pilot program for StartUp Something.

MOREAU COMMUNITY CENTER – Assist with the creation and implimentation of a volunteer manual that will include:  standardized volunteer application forms, confidentiality forms, training materials, training schedules, effective tracking tools, enhanced volunteer recruitment, etc. The manual will cover the myriad of different volunteer types within the organization, will define job descriptions and help to match skills and interests to opportunities. Additionally, promotional materials to help recruit volunteers will be made in tandem with the manual.

SARATOGA COUNTY EMS COUNCIL – Through education and awareness, this project aims to better inform the communities in the County about the 13 EMS stations and the services they can provide. Measurable goals include; scripting and creation of an awareness video, organization and execution of a variety of community meetings including a meeting of the Board of Supervisors to share the video and other community role out to identify ways to connect the organizations and the municipalities that they serve. 

SARATOGA FOUNDATION FOR INNOVATIVE LEARNING- This project will assist the organization by having the group act in an advisory capacity to streamline, grow, enhance and expand the awareness of SFIL, the fundraising events and strategies both short and long term and evaluate opportunities and make suggestions for educating the board of directors and improving their governance through suggested orientations or ongoing trainings. 

2015

AIM SERVICES – Research, design and implement an awareness/marketing campaign to enhance AIM’s exposure and ability to develop additional programming for those with challenges in our community. Created a promotional video, community leaders breakfast series and developed a marketing position.

BROOKSIDE MUSEUM – Assisting the organization to step from hosting occasional events to turning Brookside into an event destination.  By doing so, Brookside utilizes one of its greatest assets – its building and grounds – to build an entrepurnurial enterprise that will bring people to the property. Most importantly, Destination: Brookside will contribute to the goal of generating revenue to support programs and efforts to preserve our rich county heritage.

FRANKLIN COMMUNITY CENTER – Assist with the creation and implimentation of a volunteer manual that will include:  standardized volunteer application forms, confidentiality forms, training materials, training schedules, effective tracking tools, etc. The manual will cover the myriad of different volunteer types within the organization and will be launched in tandem with the expansion of the organization's food pantry.

SARATOGA ROWING ASSOCIATION - Research and develop, based on other regional and national rowing associations and regetta events, a sponsorship and marketing plan for the regattas and the association - both for the community at large as well as the specific rowing community including; establishing some cornerstone sponsors, and creating a job description for a future director of marketing and PR for the organization.

2014

Domestic Violence Rape Crisis Services of Saratoga County - worked with an existing DVD used to facilitate discussion about sexual assault and rape and though several focus groups with multiple demographic types, developed a facilitators guide to enable additional volunteers to be able to present the information. Additionally, made a shorter version of the video with accompaning guide.

Friends of Saratoga Battlefield - Worked with Board and Park Staff to create a marketing and fundraising plan to appropriately sign and design the Sword Surrender Site. Upon completion, the group committed to acting as the volunteer fundraising committee to put their plan into action.

New Meadow Preschool - With a goal of increasing enrollment of neuro typical children in the early part of the school year, the group analyzed their marketing plan, materials, outreach and current strategies and developed new to help the school acheive their goals.

Saratoga Bridges - An intensive research and analysis project, working with organizations, schools and other focus groups to determine if there is a need for an Autism Resource Center in Saratoga County.

1990

Saratoga Saturday Night Live

At-risk Youth skit

Family Feud

Leadership Saratoga Video