Douglas County boosts 'Douglas Has Heart' outreach, plans February fundraiser and business engagement

Caroline Frissell, Douglas County communications lead, and Kirsten Swanson, executive director of the Douglas County Community Foundation, gave a midyear communications and fundraising update for the Douglas Has Heart campaign on June 12.

Frissell said the campaign has raised more than $16,000 since it began and that digital outreach is sustaining public interest. She reported five Nextdoor posts and 16 posts on other social platforms during the past period, and said county email open rates are above a 35.6% government-industry average. The communications team is auditing the campaign website, adding success stories to the landing page and preparing new print collateral — including postcard-sized materials for businesses — ahead of a business breakfast on July 1.

Swanson said the community foundation has issued checks to the campaign this year and recorded a $500 donation since the last meeting. The foundation plans a second, larger fundraising effort in February 2026 tied to HEART’s Valentine’s Day–themed campaign and expects to present a draft communications plan at the November meeting.

County and partner staff said they will use distinct QR codes at different distribution points (centerpieces, postcards and in-store displays) to track which channels generate donations. Ellie Reynolds of the Douglas County Economic Development Council (EDC) said the EDC will host a sold-out breakfast where a donation QR code will appear on centerpieces; the communications team expects to deploy the QR codes first at that event.

Commissioners and partners discussed targeted business outreach strategies. The EDC described separate approaches for large employers (breakfast attendees) and smaller businesses (lunch-and-learns and point-of-sale materials). Participants proposed two outreach packets — one for business owners and a separate, more limited packet for employees — and suggested placing employee-focused posters in employee break rooms so staff know how to respond compassionately when someone asks to use a restroom or wash up.

Frissell said the team will supply hard-copy collateral in January for the February campaign and will run website and collateral updates ahead of the July 1 breakfast. The group also plans to evaluate which QR placements produce the most donations as part of an ongoing communications cycle.

Ending: The communications and community foundation teams will return with draft campaign materials in November and aim to launch business-facing outreach at the July 1 EDC breakfast, with a planned countywide fundraising push in February 2026.