Tri-Adathon, a joint venture between Milwaukee-based Catral Doyle creative, the Welke Group and Elm Grove-based Clear Verve Marketing selected 21 nonprofit organizations to receive 24 hours of free pro bono marketing support. The services provided ranged varied among marketing communications, strategic planning, web site design, radio scripting, graphic design, and media relations planning. “Working together on these projects really opens up the things we can do for people,” said Christina Steder, owner of Clear Verve Marketing. “It allows me to take a project that maybe my firm could only do half of, and bring in these other people to finish it because that is their specialty.”
According to Steder, the event was well received, and is something the firms plan to do on an annual basis. MargaretAnn’s Place- Wisconsin Center of Hope for Grieving Children was one of the organizations selected for Tri-Adathon.
Nonprofit Name: MargaretAnn’s Place – Wisconsin’s Center of Hope for Grieving Children
Nonprofit Address: 912 N. Hawley Road, Milwaukee, WI 53213
Website: www.margaretannsplace.org
Leadership (names and titles): Debra Smith-Andersen, CEO & Founder and Yvonne Lewandowski-Moss, Executive Director, Jim Henderson, Chair Milwaukee/Waukesha Community Board, Carrie Bosanec, Chair Kenosha/Racine Community Board, Pete Sinksy, Chair Governance Board.
Mission of the organization: Providing support, education and awareness for children and their families who are grieving a death.
Annual volunteer/fundraising event: Dancing With OUR Stars, 1st Friday in October, Marcus Center for the Performing Arts.
What makes your organization unique?
“MargaretAnn’s Place was the first center for grieving children established in the state of Wisconsin in 1998 dedicated solely to the distinctive needs of grieving children and their families. We provide direct services in four counties – Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha counties.”
Why did you want to get involved in the Tri-Adathon effort?
“Nonprofit organizations are in great need of pro bono professional assistance from the marketing and advertising business community in order to advance our missions. I had read about this kind of event in Madison and was thrilled to see a Milwaukee agency initiate this kind of incredible effort of collaboration and charity.”
What help did you receive from Tri-Adathon?
“The team from the Tri-Adathon created a Communications Plan for us as well as an Email Fund Development/Annual Appeal letter. They did a phenomenal job in just 24 hours.”
What are you immediate organizational goals as a result of the Tri-Adathon effort?
“To increase the awareness of the mission of MargaretAnn’s Place in an effort to recruit volunteers, Community Board members, and donors. Additionally, our goal is to reach children and families in need and those who care about them.”
Is your organization in search of board members?
“Yes – we have a Milwaukee/Waukesha Community Board and are looking for passionate and dedicated leaders to focus on the areas of Leadership, Fund Development, and Community Outreach. Additionally, members can serve on the Governance Board.”
How can business people/the community help your organization?
“Corporate, individual, and community support allows us to "Honor Grief, Build Hope" in the life of a grieving child. MargaretAnn’s Place provides all of its services free to the public. Any contribution, financial or in-kind, allows us to fulfill our mission. We are funded primarily through generous donations from individuals, businesses, grants and special fundraising events. In addition, raising awareness throughout the community is an ongoing goal for which individual and other networking and ‘viral marketing’ efforts are highly valuable.”
