It has been said that the sun never sets on The Salvation Army flag as it works and ministers in 133 countries around the world. Recently the Italy and Greece Territory, under the leadership of Canadian officers, Lt-Colonels (Dr.) Andrew and Darlene Morgan, invited the Canada and Bermuda Territory to partner with them in co-creating a formal public relations, development and public affairs program in support of the ministry across the territory.

“The opportunity to learn more about the work in the Italy and Greece Territory and help create a formal development program to support the mission in Italy is exciting,” says Lt-Colonel John Murray, territorial secretary for communications, Canada and Bermuda Territory.

Under the umbrella of “partners in mission,” Lt-Colonel Murray reached out to Chip Grizzard, an expert in global fundraising trends and partnerships and whose family firm, Grizzard Communications Group, has been a mission partner of The Salvation Army across North America for 75 years. Grizzard was asked to identify and recruit a group of non-profit fundraising leaders in Italy to meet to discuss fundraising strategy and best practices in support of the Army’s mission. 

“The Salvation Army is a deeply respected charity and brand across the world, and it was a joy to partner and to bring together a group of development thought leaders in support of the Army’s mission in Rome,” says Grizzard. “This is something that could be replicated across the Army world in support of mission and to help territories become truly self-sufficient.”

Supported by Janet Park, chief development officer for the Canada and Bermuda Territory, Grizzard successfully recruited a group of seasoned fundraising practitioners from charities across Europe and Italy to meet in Rome to explore how The Salvation Army could best set up a formal fundraising program. Meeting at territorial headquarters in the Italian capital, the non-profit leaders were quick to identify the opportunity for The Salvation Army, sharing openly from their professional and personal experiences while encouraging Army leadership to strategically invest the creation of a formal development program.

In addition to the day-long development workshop, Canada and Bermuda’s territorial communications department invited its mission partner, Edelman Canada, a global communications firm, to ask their European colleagues, Edelman Italy, which supports non-profits and businesses, including the Vatican, in public affairs, public relations and crisis communications work, to explore a potential partnership opportunity for The Salvation Army in Italy. A promising meeting took place with representatives from The Salvation Army and Edelman Italy, examining how best the organizations might be able to partner to grow the Army’s brand presence across Italy and especially within Rome to support the integrated development program.

“The Italy and Greece Territory is grateful to Commissioner Floyd Tidd, territorial commander for Canada and Bermuda, and the territorial leadership team who wholly endorsed and supported this partnership opportunity,” says Lt-Colonel Andrew Morgan. “We truly believe that we’re stronger together, and having the support of our home territory, along with Chip Grizzard and the territorial communications team, in the creation of a professional fundraising and communications program is simply outstanding. 

“We’re grateful for the professional and practical strategic planning in support of the Army’s mission across Italy and Greece and look forward to next steps and growth in support of our mission.”