Monthly Archives: January 2012

CreateAthon Blog

Socially conscious brands = successful brands
  • Written by Jody Piland

Americans are looking for ways to help nonprofits without spending more money. The economy is tough and budgets continue to tighten, but people are steadily giving when they can. Brands can make it easier by supporting good causes. According to the 2010 Cone Cause Evolution Study, 84% of Americans wish more of the products, services... Read More

Social Media Case Study for Nonprofits
  • Written by CreateAthon

Case Study Does your organization want to increase its social media reach by attracting more Facebook fans and Twitter followers, or is your primary goal to increase engagement among the social media followers you already have? In this one example, we’ve broken down the details to explain the strategy and execution of one super successful... Read More

Top Nonprofit Links of the Week
  • Written by Jody Piland

How saying no can be a great gift, too.   Saying no to a deserving nonprofit is the hardest thing about CreateAthon. Luckily for CreateAthon on Campus at Virginia Commonwealth University, they came up with a way to help more nonprofits. By reaching out to their local AIGA chapter, they set design professionals up with... Read More

TEDx Columbia: A beautiful day
  • Written by Teresa Coles

Yesterday, I had the privilege of joining 14 other speakers and performers at the inaugural TEDx Columbia event. What began for me as an Oh my God, how will I ever have time to prepare for this item on my never-ending list became a transformative experience second only to CreateAthon, my subject de jour. While I was more... Read More

Photo: TEDx Columbia
  • Written by Jody Piland

On Monday January 16, 2012 CreateAthon co-founder Teresa Coles had the privilege of speaking at the very first TEDx Columbia. TEDx is an event that takes place all over the world and was created to spread TED’s mission of “ideas worth spreading.” Teresa spoke about CreateAthon and its great accomplishments, and why it’s important to join... Read More

How saying no can be a great gift, too.
  • Written by Peyton Rowe

The Problem One of the hardest parts of organizing CreateAthon’s signature program, the 24-hour creative blitz, is telling a large number of deserving non-profit organizations that they haven’t been selected. Like any true blue designer and creator of good, I want to help everyone. And, after organizing four CreateAthon onCampus classes and successful 24-hour events... Read More

Nonprofit Links of the Week
  • Written by Jody Piland

5 Fund-Raising Questions for 2012   Even though the economy wasn’t great, 2011 was a decent year for fundraising. Charities will have to work even harder in 2012 if they want another successful year.  To help prepare for this upcoming year, take a look at The Chronicle of Philanthropy’s five fundraising questions for 2012.  ... Read More

You’ve caught the CreateAthon bug. Now what?
  • Written by Julie Turner

This is the first post in a three post series designed to help communities, companies and creative crews start their own local CreateAthon. Here at the CreateAthon Mother Ship, we get hundreds of letters (slight exaggeration) from folks just itching to be a part of the CreateAthon magic. But there’s a slight complication. There isn’t... Read More

Top Nonprofit Links of the Week
  • Written by Jody Piland

Facebook Timeline Covers To Spread Your Organization’s Brand? A good idea or not? Facebook has completed a new set of updates that now allow users to add a timeline “cover” to their page.  Nonprofits are using this new feature to help promote their cause. It is not yet known if this is a good idea... Read More

One Decision That Will Change Your Agency for the Better in 2012
  • Written by Cathy Monetti

“It’s CreateAthon! The best day of the year!” is what I hear as Julie and I reach the front door at exactly the same time and we smile covertly in the knowing that ahead of us lay 24+ intense hours in which we and 30 other volunteers will be tested to our creative cores. We... Read More