The Plate Up Project is a transformative initiative providing a safe learning environment for women fleeing domestic violence and experiencing homelessness, offering cooking, hospitality, and employment training to help break cycles of financial and systemic abuse.

To launch the program and drive public awareness, I planned and executed a high-profile launch event and fundraising campaign, securing media attention, industry support, and direct financial contributions to sustain the program’s impact.

Objectives

• Launch the Plate Up Project with an impactful and high-profile event that would generate awareness, funding, and long-term support.
• Secure media and industry presence to amplify the project’s reach and credibility.
• Develop and execute a fundraising strategy to secure donations during the event.
• Produce an emotionally resonant documentary video to highlight the women’s experiences, their relationships with food, and the impact of the program.

Execution

Event Planning & Production: Organised a high-impact launch party attended by media, high-profile guests, and key stakeholders. Ensured the event was seamlessly executed, including venue coordination, programming, and branding.

Fundraising & Donation Strategy: Designed a donation model that successfully encouraged on-the-night contributions, raising thousands in funding to support the program. Integrated a compelling call-to-action within the event experience, ensuring long-term donor engagement.

Documentary Video Production: Produced a deeply moving documentary film to premiere at the launch, capturing the personal stories of women and their connection to food. Ensured the video served as an evergreen promotional asset that could be used for future awareness and fundraising efforts.

Media & Public Awareness: Secured press coverage that expanded the Plate Up Project’s visibility, increasing its public reach and support. Developed key messaging and storytelling angles to attract media attention and create an emotional connection with the audience.

Outcomes

• Significant Donations & Financial Support: Raised thousands of dollars in donations on the night, providing crucial funding for the program.
• Increased Public Awareness & Media Coverage: Secured press stories and industry recognition, expanding the Plate Up Project’s visibility.
• High-Impact Launch Event: Successfully introduced the Plate Up Project to key stakeholders, ensuring continued support.
• Evergreen Promotional Content: The documentary video became a powerful storytelling tool for ongoing fundraising and outreach efforts.

Conclusion

The Plate Up Project Launch was a deeply meaningful and high-impact event, blending strategic fundraising, media engagement, and storytelling to create real change. By combining event production, fundraising strategy, and compelling documentary content, the launch helped secure funding, visibility, and long-term community support for an initiative that empowers women through skill-building, financial independence, and resilience.