We are thrilled to share the success of our recent webinar on Creative Fundraising Events featuring Jackie Swihart, Program Officer for Revitalization Services with Main Street America. The online seminar provided valuable insights into successful fundraising efforts, integrating fundraising into long-term budget goals, and best practices for hosting fundraising events.  The training was well-received and highly informative, catering to the interests of all our communities.

Main Street America has unveiled a comprehensive new evaluation framework aimed at defining the characteristics of a highly successful Main Street Program. This framework, consisting of Six Standards includes broad-based community commitment to revitalization, inclusive leadership and organizational capacity, diversified funding and sustainable program operations, strategy-driven programming, preservation-based economic development, and demonstrated impact and results, is set to guide the growth of existing programs and the development of newer ones. 

While it has been an interesting juggling of schedules to get all this done by the deadline with the Main Street Now Conference planning in full force, it has also been extremely rewarding, as I have had the opportunity to visit with each of our communities individually about their goals and plans for their futures.

MSNOW24: “Join commercial district revitalization leaders from across the country for three days of insightful education sessions, unique special events, immersive mobile workshops, and memorable experiences in Birmingham, the Magic City. Whether you come from a downtown in a small town or in a city-based commercial corridor, the Main Street Now Conference offers time-tested approaches, new techniques, and opportunities to exchange ideas designed to help your team address pressing issues impacting your community.” To learn more, visit the conference website.

We are so excited to host this amazing conference and to highlight Birmingham and several surrounding designated Main Street cities. Alabama has something for everyone – great outdoors from beaches to forests to rivers and lakes, music legends, civil rights legacy, rockets, great college sports, amazing food, and Southern Hospitality at its best! Come early and stay late. We cannot wait to see you! Start planning your visit today.

Mary Helmer Wirth, President/State Coordinator