The Ask

UWBA sought to curate a Centennial Celebration that honors 100 impactful years and aligns with its staunch commitment to equity, inclusion, and systemic change. This event aimed to be a retrospective celebration as well as a launching pad for a future-forward strategy aimed at sustaining impact for another century.

Background:

United Way Bay Area (UWBA), founded on December 22, 1922, has been a beacon of hope and systemic change in the San Francisco Bay Area, persistently addressing the root causes of poverty and championing inclusive and equitable societal structures. With a mission of dismantling poverty drivers and building equitable pathways to prosperity, UWBA has consistently created impactful waves across the region.

Event Details:

• Date: May 19, 2022

• Venue: The Forum at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts and Gardens, San Francisco, CA.

• Format: A hybrid event with both live and virtual program elements.

• Attendees: 300, including community leaders, politicians, and beneficiaries of UW's work. 

The Answer

Navigating Amidst Uncertainty: Planning began amidst COVID-19, necessitating the creation of a safe and adaptable event plan, culminating in a hybrid format with robust virtual programming as a safety net.

• Budget Management: Initial cost perceptions were re-calibrated through strategic budget management and guidance, resulting in a final expenditure of $35,000 under budget.

• Spatial Design: Achieving a cohesive environment in an indoor-outdoor space while infusing UWBA's branding and ensuring an inviting, network-friendly atmosphere.

• Vendor & Venue Management: Ensuring all vendors reflected the commitment to diversity and inclusion, and navigating the challenges of coordinating with a Union venue.

Key Features:

• Diverse and Inclusive Vendor Collaboration: Inclusion was emphasized through the selection of vendors, such as the Black women-owned catering company, Red Door Catering, and Finta Florals, a Filipino florist.

• Dynamic, Interactive Programming: Engaging elements like live music by SF Conservatory of Music, awards, and cameos by notable figures like Kristi Yamaguchi and Dionne Warwick kept attendees engaged.

• Hybrid Engagement: Simultaneous live and virtual programming with synchronized tech teams allowed a broadened reach and accessibility.

• Sustainable Practices: Conscious waste management ensures minimal environmental impact.

Impact and Outcomes:

• Unwavering Community Support: 80% attendance rate, noteworthy especially amidst pandemic-era uncertainties.

• Success in Fundraising: exceeded the $700,000 mark in funds raised through this event with a goal of $500,000

• Future Strategies Unveiled: The event also unveiled UWBA’s strategic plan for the coming century, solidifying its position as a longstanding icon of impactful, community-centric work in the Bay Area.

UWBA’s Centennial Celebration, “A Century of Impact, United for Equity,” not only became a heartfelt commemoration of a century's worth of community impact and systemic advocacy but also a solidifier of the commitment that the organization holds toward continuing this journey. Balancing challenges with innovative solutions, the event became a testament to how adaptive planning and a steadfast commitment to mission can create an impactful, resonant celebration that honors the past and ignites momentum for the future.