How San Diego Parks Foundation reached CSR decision-makers in 4 months
San Diego Parks Foundation (SDPF) is a nonprofit dedicated to keeping San Diego’s parks accessible, vibrant, and sustainable for all. Through partnerships and philanthropy, SDPF funds programs that enhance public spaces, expand environmental education, and foster community connection across the region.
Jon Osting
B2B Whale Hunter
The challenge: After federal funding cuts in early 2025, San Diego Parks Foundation needed new ways to engage San Diego based corporate partners and donors. Traditional outreach wasn’t reaching CSR leaders or companies positioned to give, prompting SDPF to seek a modern, strategic approach to corporate fundraising and partnership development.
The solution
Startup Sales Shop implemented a targeted outreach and engagement strategy to help San Diego Parks Foundation connect with the right corporate audiences. The solution included:
Prospect List Curation
We identified CSR, corporate giving, and community relations leaders across San Diego and Southern California most aligned with SDPF’s mission.
Drip Campaigns
Personalized LinkedIn and email campaigns introduced SDPF’s work and built relationships with potential sponsors and donors.
LinkedIn Profile Optimization
We refined SDPF’s LinkedIn presence to highlight its impact, credibility, and partnership opportunities.
Website Retargeting & Content
We used retargeting to re-engage interested prospects and supported outreach with content that showcased SDPF’s community value.
The results
In just 4 months, SDPF grew its network of corporate giving partners:
- 4
- MonthsLead time
- 100+
- ConversationsStarted with leaders in CSR, partnerships, and community engagement.
- $20k
- RevenueBrought in by a single LinkedIn post.
- Built strong relationships with Frontwave Arena — potential board member, Park Ambassador speaker, internship collaboration, and likely corporate sponsor at Undertow.
- Engaged AXOS Bank through in-person meetings and SDPF’s A Walk in the Park fundraising event.
Leona SublettPresident & CEO
“Working with Startup Sales Shop gave us a whole new way to connect with companies that care about San Diego’s parks and communities. The outreach opened doors we hadn’t been able to reach before — and now we’re seeing those relationships start to take root.”
The Whale Hunter’s take
Startup Sales Shop’s targeted outreach helped San Diego Parks Foundation build valuable new corporate relationships and increase engagement with community-focused organizations. The campaign opened doors to partnerships with companies like Frontwave Arena and AXOS Bank, creating momentum and positioning SDPF for continued growth in 2026 and beyond.