PENN YAN NY, October 2nd, 2024– The Board of Directors of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance (FLWA) and the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) are pleased to announce that La Piana Consulting, one of the most experienced nonprofit consulting firms in the country, will be guiding our leadership teams through an Organizational Analysis and Partnership Development process to be completed in Spring 2025.
NYWGF and FLWA have long been leaders in promoting the Finger Lakes region, with considerable alignment in mission and program goals. In the summer of 2024, Board Members from both organizations expressed the desire for increased collaboration to maximize the impact of their respective efforts. To achieve their shared goal of establishing the Finger Lakes as a premier wine region, the organizations are partnering with La Piana Consulting, a firm with over two decades of experience helping nonprofits navigate change and improve their missions through strategic development and collaboration.
“The New York Wine & Grape Foundation is proud to support the state’s vibrant wine industry, and fostering innovation and collaboration is essential for our community. We are pleased to be exploring a meaningful partnership with the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance,” said Wendy Oakes Wilson, NYWGF Board President. “We are also thrilled to work with the experts at La Piana Consulting, whose 20 years of experience with strategic nonprofit alliances will help us unlock our full potential and make a lasting impact on our industry.”
Shannon Brock, FLWA Board President noted that “The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance has long been a cornerstone of our region’s innovative marketing. By partnering with the New York Wine & Grape Foundation and La Piana Consulting, we aim to amplify the incredible work already underway, ensuring that our impact not only endures but thrives in the future.”
Scott Cotenoff, a Partner with La Piana Consulting and the lead consultant on the project stated “We are excited to work with organizations thinking boldly about how to strengthen their impact. Strategic relationships can be a creative tool to support their communities and to serve as a model for the region and growers and producers throughout the state.”
Over the next six months, La Piana Consulting will assist NYWGF and FLWA Board Members with a formal exploration of infrastructure, programmatic, and fiscal alignment. This project will help pave the way for a more cohesive and efficient operational framework, benefiting both organizations and the wider winery community in the Finger Lakes region. This project will also create a model for future collaboration in other wine regions across the state.
Please reach out to Valerie Venezia-Ross, Director of Programs and Marketing, should you have any questions regarding this partnership.
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About The New York Wine & Grape Foundation: The mission of the New York Wine & Grape Foundation (NYWGF) is to promote the world-class image of New York grapes and wines from our diverse regions to responsibly benefit farmers, producers and consumers through innovative marketing, research, communication, and advocacy. For more information, please visit www.newyorkwines.org
About The Finger Lakes Wine Alliance: The mission of the Finger Lakes Wine Alliance is to increase the visibility and prominence of the Finger Lakes AVA, its wines and wineries. Our organization brings together industry leaders to move our wine region forward, and we are made stronger by our member wineries who support the FLWA programs. www.fingerlakeswinealliance.com
About La Piana Consulting: La Piana Consulting is a top nonprofit consultancy and the national leader in the field of strategic partnerships. Since 1998, La Piana has combined the capacity to undertake complex projects with a highly personalized, client-centric approach featuring seasoned consultants. Through original methodologies that center equity and that have been adopted across the sector, we bring a deep understanding of real-word challenges and work in partnership with our clients to create impactful and sustainable solutions. For resources and information, please visit www.lapiana.org.
