For the Catalina Island Conservancy’s Resilience Campaign, the Case for Support needed to fit in donors’ pockets as they toured the Island’s interior. Parisleaf partnered with the Conservancy to create a custom-designed Pocket Guide to inspire action.
Challenge
The Catalina Island Conservancy came to Parisleaf to create a shortened Case for Support that could also guide donors on tours of the Island’s interior. The piece needed to be pocket-sized, easy to carry, and tailored for board members and donors. Sustainability was important to the piece to align with conservation values. The materials needed to be made with recycled materials and be environmentally friendly.
Idea
Instead of creating an ordinary pocket-sized brochure, we had the idea to design a passport that would feel like exploration and discovery, giving donors a sense of personal connection and engagement with the campaign.
Each tour stop included:
- A vision statement that ties the aspirations for the site to the campaign pillars.
- A space for donors to collect a stamp, making the piece interactive and fun.
- A section for reflections, so donors could jot down thoughts, sketches, or impressions connecting their personal experience to the campaign’s mission.
- Illustrations of endemic species throughout the piece
We also included a foldout map for navigation. It was practical, showing restrooms and food stops, which showed where donors were on the tour. A QR code offered a way to access more information digitally.
Execution
The content flow was designed to guide donors through a journey:
- The history and purpose of the Conservancy
- The problem the Conservancy faces and its purpose to solve this problem
- Campaign priorities that reflect the Conservancy’s mission for conservation, education, and recreation
- Tour stops that provided context for how each location connects to the campaign priorities, and space for a custom stamp at that stop
- Campaign impact and vision
- A foldout map and space for reflection
Illustrations showed both the current landscape and the envisioned future, helping donors see a connection to the Conservancy’s long-term goals. As a surprise element, we included illustrations of native and endemic species that participants could identify throughout the tour.
We worked closely with our print partner, Brilliant Graphics, to ensure the guide was produced in a sustainable manner. The final piece was portable, durable, legible, and tactile. Something donors could hold, use, and keep for years to come.
Impact
The campaign pocket guide was met with enthusiasm. Donors and board members enjoyed the interactive elements so much that board members actively asked, “Where’s the next stamp?!” The passport made the Case for Support something donors could experience tangibly. It became more than a shortened Case for Support and tour guide. It became a keepsake that connected donors to the Conservancy’s mission and reminded them of their impact long after the tour ended.
The piece ultimately became an award-winning piece, but more importantly, it succeeded in turning a Case for Support into a memorable piece that inspired action. Utilizing sustainable materials aligned with the Conservancy’s campaign priorities of conservation, education, and recreation.
When a Pocket Guide Becomes an Adventure
Leaning into our expertise in the capital campaign space, we created something that worked as both a shortened Case for Support and an engaging companion on the Island tour. It gives donors a way to interact with the campaign in the moment, act as a keepsake to remember their experience, and ultimately move them from inspiration to action.
Every campaign deserves pieces that spark connection and inspire action. Begin your journey to see how we can help bring your campaign to life.
With gratitude,
To the team who brought this to life: Chad Paris, Tom Osbourne, Shelby Monroe, Dan Li, Gray Gill, and Brad Almond, and to the Catalina Island Conservancy team for their trust and collaboration.
