Waterloo Region – November 13, 2020 – Capacity Canada’s Creative Day for Social Good successfully concluded on November 13. The virtual event saw over 100 students from George Brown College and Conestoga College create free-of-cost marketing tools for 17 non-profits this year.
Capacity Canada hosted its annual event in collaboration with Intertek Catalyst, Conestoga College, George Brown College, Manulife, Him and Her, and Kitchener Waterloo Community Foundation. While the event for Conestoga College was hosted on November 12 and 13, it was held on October 26 and 27 for George Brown College.
“The charities that benefit from this event are helping hundreds if not thousands in their communities. Creative Day for Social Good has far-reaching benefits. The event is helping millions of people coast to coast across Canada,” said Terry McGuire, Vice President, Intertek Catalyst.
As part of the event, over 100 graphic design and public relations students from George Brown College and Conestoga College partnered with art directors, account managers and other industry professionals who volunteered their time. The event’s primary objective was to create free-of-cost marketing tools for charitable non-profit organizations across Canada, that would otherwise not be able to budget for these services.
“Following the event, an impressive diversity of charities across Canada will receive tools to tell their stories with more success and greater social impact that would continue to grow over the years,” says Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada.
Over the years, Creative Day for Social Good has provided cash-strapped non-profit organizations with valuable design and marketing expertise for no cost. It has made it possible for charitable non-profits to access professional resources to build their brand and have a more significant social impact.
“We have a minimal marketing budget and currently no in-house expertise to create the marketing material we require. We understand the value of this program, and it’s great to have this opportunity,” says Tenley Soares, who works with the Child Witness Centre, one of the non-profits selected as beneficiaries this year. According to Soares, the new marketing tools created, including an agency overview video, will expand their community reach.
However, besides providing marketing tools to non-profits, the creative event also benefits students. It helps them gain work experience and networking skills.
“In this grand undertaking, everyone wins! The charities involved are able to have access to professional resources, in terms of various design tools, that they might not be able to afford otherwise. The students, on the other hand, get to work on real projects with industry professionals. This does not only boost their skills but also provide a possibility for recruitment,” says Matt Miller, Executive-in-Residence, Capacity Canada. Miller has been the driving force behind Creative Day for Social Good and has hosted the event since its inception.
Last year, more than $100,000 worth of pro bono work was generated for non-profits. This year, organizers predict the worth to be between $120,000-140,000.
Some of the other non-profits selected this year include the Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region Foundation, Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario, and Grand River Hospital Foundation.
Non-profit organizations taking part in CD4SG 2020:
- Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery, Waterloo Region
- Child Witness Centre, Waterloo Wellington
- Family and Children’s Services of the Waterloo Region Foundation, Waterloo Region
- Habitat for Humanity Heartland Ontario
- Stonehenge Therapeutic Community, Waterloo Wellington
- Strong Start for Learning, Ontario
- The Meeting Place Tobermory, Northern Bruce Peninsula
- Timmins Learning Centre, Timmins, ON (including Schumacher, South Porcupine, and Porcupine)
- Tri-County Mennonite Homes, Waterloo Region & Stratford -Perth
- Working Skills Centre, GTA
- United Way of Bruce Grey, Grey and Bruce Counties
- Arts Council Wood Buffalo, Fort McMurray
- Canadian Association of Science Centres, Canada
- Empowering Indigenous Women for Stronger Communities, Newfoundland & Labrador
- Grand River Hospital Foundation, Waterloo Region
- Numus, Region of Waterloo
- Sunrise Therapeutic Riding & Learning Centre, Waterloo Wellington
Media contacts:
Cathy Brothers, CEO, Capacity Canada
[email protected]
Office: 866-317-1992 x1
Mobile: 226-808-7220
Matt Miller, Executive-In-Residence, Capacity Canada
[email protected]
Office: 866-317-1992 x6
Mobile: 226-749-3893
Nasreen, Director of Communications, Capacity Canada
[email protected]
Office: 866-317-1992 x7
Mobile: 226-505-5757
