While CreateAthon was originally formed as a service program for advertising, marketing and communications firms, there is a strong demand to extend this skills-based volunteerism model to the corporate world. We’ve tailored our program to give leaders the tools needed to design and execute an effective pro bono marathon model that can engage their marketing employees in meaningful community service.

The need for skills-based service

Nonprofit organizations have a greater need than ever for professional pro bono services, especially marketing and communications services. It’s an essential strategy for moving their work forward.

• 72% of nonprofits strongly agree pro bono services would increase impact

• Only 3% report having enough access to pro bono services

• Marketing is ranked as the #1 unmet need in pro bono services

• Second only to legal services in pro bono services used by nonprofits

The benefits of corporate response

Data clearly indicates the correlation between employee engagement and professional development, satisfaction and retention. It’s an essential part of today’s modern business culture.

• 91% of HR professionals across multiple industries believe skills-based volunteerism is an effective way to build leadership skills

• 77% of employees engaged in pro bono service reported improved creative thinking resulting from their pro bono projects

• 84% of companies engaged in pro bono service see bottom-line impact

CreateAthon®: The case for corporate engagement

Source: Taproot Foundation, Board Source

Source: Deloitte, Fidelity Investments, Points of Light Foundation

Discovery Channel’s Creating Change event, now in its sixth year, is modeled after CreateAthon. The event is held at the corporation’s headquarters in Silver Springs, MD and has earned national CSR awards for employee engagement.

Why engage with CreateAthon?

CreateAthon has a proven model of success, with 18 years of program experience. We have the insights and tools needed to help corporate marketing teams conduct a successful pro bono marketing event, one that will transform their work experience and strengthen the community.

Case Study: Altria

• Partnership with Fortune 200 CPG marketing Organization

• Marathon challenge fueled flexible, focused thinking and leadership development

• Provided more than 1,400 volunteer hours of professional service to nine local nonprofits

• Work valued in excess of $107,000

• Young professionals new to the company learned more about community issues

• Engaged the corporation’s national ad agencies: Leo Burnett, Landor

• Engendered board support, staff satisfaction and positive corporate PR

• CreateAthon marathon process now used throughout company as ideation tool

• Corporation has provided ongoing, annual support to CreateAthon

HANDS ON

BOARDSERVICE

SKILLSBASED

NON-CORESKILLS

500%Skills-based volunteerism programs like CreateAthon are the most advanced form of employee engagement in the commmunity, delivering 5 times the impact of traditional volunteering efforts.

Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Level One:

$25,000 - $30,000Level Two:

$15,000Level Three:

$5,000

CreateAthon Corporate Engagement Models

CreateAthon provides a corporate tool kit to marketing leaders, with outline on processes.

Corporate tool kit includes:

• Internal communications/engagement among leadership

• Nonprofit engagement, applica-tions and vetting process

• Project scoping, nonprofit client management

• Event promotions, advance communications

• Production resources: photography, printing, digital development, etc.

• Logistics management

• Impact measurement

Branded/proprietary assets:

• Nonprofit applications

• CreateAthon brand identity

For more information, contact:

Teresa Coles, CreateAthon

(803) 608-7159 teresa@riggspartners.com

Kelly Luciano, Good Done Great(803) 500-1380 kelly@gooddonegreat.com

www.createathon.org

CreateAthon staff conducts two-hour webinar with marketing leaders in the corporation.

Webinar curriculum includes:

• Internal communications/engagement among leadership

• Nonprofit engagement, applica-tions and vetting process

• Project scoping, nonprofit client management

• Event promotions, advance communications

• Production resources: photography, printing, digital development, etc.

• Logistics management

• Impact measurement

Ongoing support:

• Email and phone consultation

• Exposure of event/partnership in CreateAthon public relations, social media

Branded/proprietary assets:

• Nonprofit applications

• CreateAthon brand identity

• Brand handbook with associ-ated standards

• Impact measurement tools

CreateAthon staff conducts on-site, comprehensive workshop with marketing leaders in the corporation.

Workshop curriculum includes:

• Internal communications/engagement among leadership

• Nonprofit engagement, applica-tions and vetting process

• Project scoping, nonprofit client management

• Event promotions, advance communications

• Production resources: photography, printing, digital development, etc.

• Logistics management

• Impact measurement

Ongoing support:

• Email and phone consultation

• Exposure of event/partnership in CreateAthon public relations, social media

Branded/proprietary assets:

• Nonprofit applications

• CreateAthon brand identity

• Brand handbook with associ-ated standards

• Impact measurement tools

Additional support:

• CreateAthon staff can be engaged to attend CreateAthon event