Guided Organizational Assessments

We perform a comprehensive assessment of your land trust's progress toward implementation of Land Trust Sandards and Practices, the national industry standard for sound land trust operation. 

Guided Organizational Assessments require the land trusts full board and staff to complete a thorough questionnaire and  participate in a day-long conversation.  Gathering Waters will provide a comprehensive report  of land trust strengths, progress against Standards and Practices and suggest actions to address areas for improvement.

These assessments are a prerequiste for applications for Land Trust Accreditation.  For organizations not anticipating an accrediation application soon, a Guided Organization Assessment can help inditify priorities on your land trusts' long "to-do" list and is a valuable prelude to strategic planning.  Please contact Kate Zurlo-Cuva, Land Trust Services Director  to discuss cost and timing.  608-251-9131 x 12.

Capacity-Building For Your Land Trust

Gathering Waters Conservancy staff is available to work one-on-one with land trust staff or boards to deliver trainings that meet your unique needs. We offer this customized training for a fee, which, depending on our own funding or your land trust's participation in LEAP, may vary.  

The following are potential training topics:

• Engage your board in fundraising
• Basics of fundraising planning
• Build a major donor program
• Build a membership program
• Strategic planning

Gathering Waters can also do a general fundraising assessment of your organization and offer advice on where to focus your development resources. If you are interested in taking advantage of any of these resources, please contact Kate Zurlo-Cuva, Land Trust Services Director, to discuss cost and timing.  608-251-9131 x 12.

Co-hosting Donor Cultivation Events

One of the most successful things a land trust can do to raise its visibility and strenghten its support is throw a party--and we are more than happy to join the planning and the fun.

We partner with a land trust to hold an event celebrating the land trusts' value to your community.  We invite Gathering Waters members in the area.  Our members learn more about their local land trust.  In turn, land trust supporters learn about the value of Gathering Waters Conservancy to the land trust movement in Wisconsin.

Gathering Waters' staff will share a significant portion of the logistical work of event planning, marketing and hosting.  We craft a cost-sharing agreement for event expenses (food, invitations, etc.).

For more information contact Sara DeKok, Member Relations Director. 608-251-9131 x 10