Five Questions With: Carole Corriveau

Carole Corriveau became the new director of philanthropy at Sail Newport in late November. Her job is to bolster the nonprofit organization's future growth and philanthropic programs.
Carole Corriveau became the new director of philanthropy at Sail Newport in late November. Her job is to bolster the nonprofit organization's future growth and philanthropic programs.

Carole Corriveau became the new director of philanthropy at Sail Newport in late November. Her job is to bolster the nonprofit organization’s future growth and philanthropic programs. Corriveau brings more than 15 years of development experience to the job. She previously served as chief development officer at the Massachusetts-based Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences and in similar roles at Bradley Hospital; Home & Hospice Care of Rhode Island; Bay Farm Montessori Academy in Duxbury, Mass.; South Shore Hospital in Weymouth, Mass.; and BankBoston. Here, she discusses her new role.

PBN: As the new director of philanthropy for Sail Newport, what is your first priority this winter?
CORRIVEAU:
People and programs and, of course, growing the Sail Newport Fund. Funding supports affordable access to the sport of sailing and to Narraganset Bay through instructional programs, sailing events, rentals, sailboat storage and sailing center services. We also have a community outreach program, which links community and civic groups to opportunities to learn sailing and marine education, both in the classroom and on the water.
While I’ve admired Sail Newport for years, I’m now just learning the depth of our programs and the number of people we serve every year. Sail Newport serves more than 10,000 users of the facility each season and more than 1,000 youth sailors each summer.
The award-winning youth program includes students from age 5 and older who can participate regardless of economic ability. Many of the children receive lessons at Sail Newport free of charge or with financial assistance to their family.

PBN: Two goals Executive Director Brad Read has set include expanding public access and community programs. How will you help enable this?
CORRIVEAU:
To our core, Sail Newport is about serving the public by providing public access to the sport of sailing. We offer children and adults the opportunity to learn and to advance in a healthy lifelong sport that builds self-esteem, strategic thinking and connects people to the ocean. I can support our growth by raising awareness within the community and the funding necessary for these programs for the public.

PBN: The Volvo Ocean Race is returning to Newport in 2018. What role will you play in advanced planning or funding for that?
CORRIVEAU:
I know it will be all hands on deck! I will be part of a team working on the success of the grand-scale event and showcasing Sail Newport’s public sailing programs. The 2015 event was an enormous success on all levels and we will build on those successes to host an even greater event in 2018.
The key concept for the next Volvo Ocean Race Newport Stopover will again be free access to the Race Village and the opportunity to watch racing within yards of the shoreline for the public, free sailing for all ages to experience the joy of the sport and to provide public access to interactive marine education exhibits and activities.

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PBN: Which strategies for boosting philanthropic support that you’ve used at other jobs can be applied at this nonprofit, and how?
CORRIVEAU:
To me, philanthropy is all about people feeling great being part of something bigger than themselves – by being part of humanity, connected to community and giving back. My job is to help donors to make this connection.
There are many different fundraising strategies, depending upon the people you are trying to reach. However, there are two common threads throughout all strategies – from social media to direct marketing, events or one-on-one meetings. First, share a moving story about how your organization makes a difference. Since the beginning of time people have been wired to respond to stories. Second, listen and be responsive to your donors.

PBN: Which of Sail Newport’s programs is most in need of better financing, staffing or support, and how do you plan to accomplish that?
CORRIVEAU:
For too long, Sail Newport has been the little engine that could. Sail Newport takes on every opportunity presented and always exceeds expectations. We need to strengthen our core programs and to expand opportunities for public access to Narragansett Bay.
To get more kids and more adults into more boats, we need more philanthropic support.
We will attract more support by sharing our story throughout the region and to the international sailing community. I’m here to help connect the dots, share our stories and build relationships so that Sail Newport deepens its mission to serve the community.

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