Court Watch NOLA

Nonprofit | Criminal Justice

Retainer client since May 2023

 

“…you all are phenomenal. Oh my god, I'm getting goosebumps. I'm sorry, if it's a five star rating you're looking for, you've surpassed that. You guys are a life saver.”

Darrin Browder, Executive Director

Court Watch NOLA is dedicated to courtroom transparency by observing and reporting on the professionalism, transparency, and fairness of judges, prosecutors, public defenders, sheriff deputies, police officers, and other criminal justice actors.

Gray Ink began working with Court Watch NOLA in the spring of 2023, during a moment of significant organizational transition. Following the sudden departure of the Executive Director earlier that year, the organization faced a critical gap in institutional fundraising capacity. With no formal handoff of funding relationships and development activities paused for several months, Court Watch was approaching a funding cliff. The Interim Executive Director, who was later appointed to the permanent role, was navigating both operational challenges and a steep learning curve in fundraising strategy.

Client Goals

  • Re-engage and strengthen relationships with existing funders

  • Identify and cultivate new funding partners to diversify support

  • Secure near-term funding to extend organizational runway and stabilize operations

  • Establish and operationalize internal development processes to support ongoing fundraising

  • Provide executive coaching to build leadership confidence and fundraising capacity

How We Support

  • Identify and qualify funding opportunities from both existing and prospective sources

  • Develop cultivation strategies and provide coaching and support for execution, including proposal development

  • Provide executive coaching to strengthen leadership and fundraising confidence

  • Operationalize internal development systems to support sustainable fundraising practices

  • Liaise with Board Members as needed to support the above

Achievements

  • $740,000 raised since May 2023, supporting both general operations and programmatic execution

  • Annual revenue doubled in the first year of engagement

  • Operating deficit reduced by 85%, significantly improving financial stability

  • Fundraising systems reestablished, with leadership confidently engaging funders