Tri-Adathon nonprofit spotlight
The Tri-Adathon venture between Elm Grove-based Clear Verve Marketing and Milwaukee firms Catral Doyle Creative and the Welke Group recently presented 32 area nonprofit organizations with pro-bono marketing services as part of its 24-hour nonstop creative work marathon.
“The event was a huge success,” said Christina Steder, president of Clear Verve Marketing. “The general reaction was that the organizations were all really excited about the work that they got.”
The services provided included marketing and communications planning, public relations programs, website design, radio spot creation, graphic design and media planning.
According to Steder, the creative teams worked longer this year because the projects they took on were more extensive, but overall they were happy with the work that was produced.
Tri-Adathon worked closely with local vendors who donated on air time, printing services and other amenities to the selected organizations, she said.
Tri-Adathon received 115 requests for work from nonprofit organizations in the community; more than double what they received last year, Stedar said.
Nonprofit organizations were able to submit an application for pro-bono work through the Tri-Adathon website until early January. Organizations were selected based on need and the skills of the marketing companies involved, Steder said.
BizTimes Nonprofit Weekly will highlight the organizations selected, and the work they received, over the next few weeks. The Adult Learning Center of Milwaukee got involved in the Tri-Adathon effort to connect with a broad range of professionals in the marketing field. The organization received a logo design for its annual book sale and poster designs based on the logo. The organization has already begun using the logo in its promotional items for the sale.
Nonprofit Name: Adult Learning Center
Nonprofit Address: 1916 N. Fourth Street, Milwaukee
Website: www.alcmilwaukee.org
Leadership: Herb Hayden, Executive Director
Ken Gilgenbach, Board Chair
Mission of the organization:
"The Adult Learning Center provides motivated adults with basic education, life-long learning opportunities and resources to transform their lives and contribute to their communities, in the spirit of the teachings of Jesus Christ and the principles of social justice."
"Annual volunteer/fundraising event:
The Adult Learning Center’s signature special event is the Annual Book Sale. The 2011 Sale starts October 22.
What makes your organization unique?
"Unique features of the Adult Learning Center include personalized instruction in a classroom setting, one-to-one tutoring from dedicated volunteers and the availability of an adult basic education program for low level learners in addition to GED preparation."
Is your organization searching for board members?
Yes, the leadership of the Adult Learning Center is always open to meeting people who might be interested in serving on our board of directors.
How can business people/the community help your organization?
There are a variety of ways businesses and individuals can help the Adult Learning Center.
- We are always in need of volunteer tutors, particularly for our late afternoon classes. Professionals who are willing to make presentations to our students about timely topics such as legal issues, housing and job readiness are needed a few times each semester.
- The board has working committees that welcome the service of non-board members.
- In 2010, a handful of companies hosted used book drives at their offices to build inventory for the Book Sale and we are seeking to expand that number for the 2011 Sale.
- Advertising the Book Sale within your business and encouraging employees to shop at the event would help the ALC gain name recognition and raise funds.
- Donations of goods and services that would benefit the ALC as an organization or our students individually are greatly appreciated. Please contact us about specific needs.
- Naturally, outright monetary donations to the ALC are always needed and welcomed, too!
