Introduction
Cincinnati Riding or Walking Network (CROWN) unites existing disconnected trails into a continuous paved loop. Running through Cincinnati’s urban core, the network sustainably promotes accessible public trail use, neighborhood connectivity, healthy residents, and transportation equity.
CROWN represents a private-public partnership across numerous municipalities throughout greater Cincinnati and key non-profit organizations, including Tristate Trails, Green Umbrella, Ohio River Way, and Wasson Way. In 2017, representatives from these organizations formed the CROWN Leadership Team, tapping community volunteers Jan and Wym Portman as Co-Chairs and Rick Griewe as Vice Chair on this ambitious civic initiative.
The Challenge
The CROWN had completed four of nine trail phases and secured some federal and state funding, which required both a local match and additional federal support for completion. Still, there were challenges in clearly communicating the CROWN vision in a way that inspired donor investment, including the alignment of numerous stakeholders. The project's complexity, myriad variables, and perceived risks made some potential funders hesitant.
CROWN engaged Ignite Philanthropy in the summer of 2019 to guide the Leadership Team through a planning process to articulate the CROWN’s vision and bolster support from private funders to ensure the project’s success. Together, we explored various fundraising strategies to close the remaining funding gap.
Raising the necessary funds would ensure the full completion of the CROWN loop, including two pivotal segments: Wasson Way, a 7.6-mile mixed-use trail that connects 16 neighborhoods, and the Ohio River Trail, a 4.75-mile segment linking the riverfront parks to the east side and the Little Miami Bike Trail. The completion of these key connections would bring CROWN’s broader vision for active transportation infrastructure to life, benefiting not only Cincinnatians but also cyclists across Ohio traveling from Cincinnati to Cleveland.
Co-Creating a Solution
The CROWN Leadership Team and Ignite Philanthropy began co-creating the vision that would maximize the private dollars needed to complete two core trail segments and make the CROWN vision a reality. A core part of this process was the formation of an advisory committee, including community leaders such as former Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley and Council Member Amy Murray as Honorary Co-Chairs, to recommend a fundraising strategy. Requesting critical feedback from community leaders and stakeholders to frame the project was a crucial step in maximizing private philanthropy.
Collaborating with Ignite Philanthropy was invaluable to the success of the CROWN campaign. Their detailed roadmap and strategic planning provided our team with clarity and confidence, allowing us to execute the private fundraising effort seamlessly. Their ability to work closely with stakeholders ensured that every aspect of the campaign was thoughtfully coordinated, setting the stage for efficient and effective progress.
Jan Portman
CROWN Co-Chair, Ohio River Way Board
Ignite Philanthropy led the core stakeholders through the campaign planning process, presenting two fundraising methods that combined public and private funding. Through a series of meetings, the CROWN campaign committee, coupled with a final recommendation from Ignite, voted to pursue a strategic path that would complete the full vision rather than fundraising for each segment separately, referred to as the comprehensive fundraising strategy.
This comprehensive fundraising strategy pursued the full scope of private funding in a single campaign. Through leveraging a cohesive vision of CROWN, donors were inspired to support the complete vision of the project.
Most importantly, this fundraising strategy owned the inherent ambiguity of the project by identifying, distilling, and being transparent about the risks of the project. Private funders were motivated to explore and overcome the ambiguity, commit to funding, and join the project as co-creation partners.
The Impact
Creating actionable steps is crucial for any campaign. Through close collaboration with CROWN leadership, Ignite ensured the comprehensive fundraising strategy was ready for seamless execution. Guided by Ignite’s campaign plan, the 23-person volunteer team, led by Wym and Jan, took the lead in driving the private fundraising effort. The strategy proved successful, reaching [$xMM milestone] at month X of the campaign.
This project showcases the power of collaboration in driving meaningful, lasting impact for the community, and could not have gained the momentum it did without Ignite Philanthropy’s thought partnership and funding roadmap.
Wade Johnston
Campaign Manager, Green Umbrella / Tri-State Trails
Ignite congratulates all stakeholders and organizations involved in the success of the CROWN campaign. At the time of publication of this article, the campaign has reached xx% of its fundraising goal.
Once complete, the CROWN loop will connect more than 356,000 people in 54 communities to a safe, environmentally friendly, equitable option to gather and be active outdoors. Thanks to the numerous people who contributed to the CROWN campaign, including the Planning Committee and Fundraising Cabinet, Cincinnati is becoming a leading destination to live, work, and play through the CROWN trail’s connections of neighborhoods, landmarks, and parks. We are proud to have played a part in this extraordinary project to create lasting change.
