Dining Out For Life x The Aliveness Project

Driving Impact Through Influence

When The Aliveness Project asked me to help lead the influencer strategy for Dining Out For Life, I knew this wasn’t just another campaign, it was a chance to use storytelling and social reach for something real.

Dining Out For Life is an annual, nationwide event that raises funds for local HIV/AIDS service organizations by encouraging people to dine at participating restaurants. In Minneapolis, that meant rallying support around a cause, a community, and a night out that could change lives.

I didn’t just contribute content, I managed the entire influencer arm of the campaign, from concept to execution.

The Objective

• Drive awareness for Dining Out For Life in the Twin Cities

• Mobilize content creators who reflect the diversity and heart of our local community

• Increase participation, impressions, and donations beyond previous years

My Role

I stepped in to lead the full influencer strategy for the campaign, including:

• Curating and recruiting a diverse roster of 15+ local influencers, activists, foodies, and creatives

• Providing content direction, brand alignment, and creative briefs for each creator

• Coordinating timelines, approvals, and cross-channel promotions

• Creating original content for @adventurebrent to amplify the message

• Working closely with The Aliveness Project’s internal team to ensure the campaign stayed mission-driven

What We Created

• Dozens of Instagram Reels and feed posts highlighting participating restaurants and details on how you could get involved with the event.

• Curated Collabs with restaurants in influencers alike to increase reach and drive new eyes to the Aliveness Instagram page.

• Partnered with local restaurants to create giveaways to extend reach even further, and drive engagement throughout the month.

• Customized Hype Posts around key partners to spread awareness and drive anticipation for the event.

• A wave of excitement that felt organic, personal, and powerful

The Results

The campaign didn’t just feel impactful — it delivered.

• Over 2 million social impressions across influencer content over three years

• Thousands of attendees at participating restaurants across the Twin Cities

• More than $1 million raised for The Aliveness Project

• Deep community engagement and media coverage from local press and LGBTQ+ outlets

Why It Worked

• Authentic voices: Every influencer chosen had a genuine connection to the community or the cause.

• Clear storytelling: We focused on why this night matters, not just what to do.

• Cohesive, strategic rollout: From messaging to visuals, every piece of content served a purpose.

• Mission-first mindset: This wasn’t just about reach — it was about impact.

Final Reflection

Helping lead this campaign was one of the most meaningful projects I’ve worked on. It showed me, and reminded a lot of people, that influence isn’t just about aesthetics or algorithms. It’s about connection, community, and using your platform to show up for something bigger.

If you're a mission-driven organization looking to amplify your impact through creative storytelling and strategic influence, let’s talk.