Take Me to the River
Program Overview
On a warm summer evening in Fort Collins, 150 community members gathered not just for a fundraiser, but for a celebration of the river that connects them all. The 3rd Annual Take Me to the River blended storytelling and shared purpose into an event designed to honor and protect the Cache la Poudre River.
Hosted in support of the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW), the evening raised vital awareness and funds to safeguard the river’s ecological health and strengthen the community’s role in its future.
What began as a fundraiser has grown into something more — a tradition where neighbors, partners, and advocates come together around a common cause, leaving inspired to protect Colorado’s water for generations to come.
Impact
Purpose + Goals
- Raise $34,000 to support CPRW’s ongoing restoration work and expand its private donor base for long-term sustainability.
- Foster meaningful community engagement through a fun, inclusive atmosphere.
- Elevate the role of watershed and nonprofit groups that fill critical gaps in river health and environmental response.
- Highlight the urgency of ecological threats and inspire immediate action.
Our Approach
We partnered with CPRW to transform their vision into an evening that blended purpose with celebration. More than event producers, we acted as strategic partners — designing a program that elevated the organization’s mission while creating an experience the community would remember.
Our role encompassed full-scale execution: venue and vendor management, program design, fundraising support, and sponsorship strategy. We crafted a clear narrative arc for the evening, opened with a custom impact video, and built in live fundraising moments that inspired guests to give generously.
Behind the scenes, our team managed logistics, vendor coordination, and day-of execution — ensuring staff and board members could stay focused on their guests and their mission. The result was an event that didn’t just raise funds; it deepened community connection and expanded support for CPRW’s critical work.
impact
The results speak for themselves:
- 62% increase in amount raised compared to the previous year
- 128% increase in sponsorship revenue
- Surpassed the fundraising goal by $5,000
Client Testimonial
“We can’t imagine hosting an event without the support of BTP. The team is incredibly talented, experienced, creative and reliable. They never miss a detail and we’ve always had success working with them.”
What Made Us Better Together
Because mission-driven events work best when heart and strategy come together.
Strategic program design
We built a program designed for impact — weaving together heartfelt storytelling, clear calls to action, and engaging moments that inspired guests to give generously and stay connected long after the event.
Custom Impact Video
The evening opened with a short film that showcased CPRW’s work and its impact on the local community. This powerful introduction set the tone for the night and gave attendees a deeper understanding of the mission.
Donor Engagement Strategy
From live fundraising moments to post-event follow-up, we supported the client in creating a donor engagement plan that maximized giving potential and strengthened long-term relationships.
Experience Highlights
Sold-Out Attendance
With 150 attendees and a waitlist, the event underscored the community’s passion for protecting the Poudre River.
Record-Breaking Paddle Raise
The fundraising portion of the evening exceeded expectations, generating more donations than projected and fueling vital restoration and education efforts.
Locally Sourced Catering
In partnership with a local catering company, the menu was crafted with ingredients from nearby growers who rely on water from the Poudre River — a meaningful connection between the food on the table and the cause at the heart of the event.
River-Inspired Live Music
A local band closed out the evening with music inspired by the river, offering a joyful, authentic finale to a night rooted in connection and shared purpose.