CreateAthon Blog

Saying Yes
  • Written by Teresa Coles

This morning, hundreds of people in the communicating arts woke up to the longest day of the year. Twenty-four hours of intense brainstorming, sketching, writing, shooting, editing, coding, eating, yawning, laughing and crying. Why would anyone put themselves through that? I’ve thought a lot about that in the 16 years since CreateAthon was born here... Read More

Making its mark: A look at Pro Bono Week's Brand Identity
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

As lovers of all things pro bono, the design team at Riggs Partners was thrilled when Taproot Foundation asked them to develop Pro Bono Week’s brand identity. Art Director, Ryon Edwards,  and Design Apprentice, Nate Puza, collaborated on a design that captures the essence of the movement: Proud. Spirited. Visionary. The energetic yellow-orange reflects the... Read More

Is social good your next business strategy?
  • Written by Julie Turner

Ben Rattray once dreamed of being Wall Street’s next Gordon Gekko. The enduring ambition sustained him through college and the dot-com boom, but everything changed the day he learned his brother was gay. As the realization of all his brother and family would face settled in, he realized he needed to take action to bring... Read More

#CreateAthon and #PBW13: Let's go viral.
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

Pro Bono Week is here, and we’re just days away from launching 14 simultaneous CreateAthons across the U.S. and Canada. Whether you’re a participant or just curious about the magic and mayhem behind our 24-hour blitz of skills-based volunteering, be sure to find us on your favorite social media network this week. Visit our Facebook... Read More

Need a professional test? Try CreateAthon.
  • Written by Julie Turner

It’s easy to say yes to giving 24 hours of your marketing whiz (and life) to benefit local nonprofits through CreateAthon. But once you’re an official volunteer, that’s when the squirrelly feelings can start creeping in. CreateAthon co-founder and long-time creative director Cathy Monetti has calmed 15 CreateAthons-worth of terrified writers and designers. Just take... Read More

It's almost here! Oct. 20-26 is Pro Bono Week!
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

Last year’s Global Pro Bono Summit gave rise to a new movement in skills-based volunteering. Inspired by the American Bar Association, Taproot Foundation invited summit attendees to join in a week-long global celebration of professionals  donating their skills to the nonprofit community. From IT assistance to Human Resources, many nonprofits simply don’t have the budget... Read More

CreateAthon is Coming: The Sales Factory's Survival Guide
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

The team at The Sales Factory of Greensboro, NC, will soon have 11 CreateAthon’s under their belt. In the past they’ve stayed up all night to offer nonprofits everything from identity branding to direct mail pieces.  This year is especially exciting because they’re bringing their newly opened San Francisco office into the fold.  So what... Read More

CreateAthon is Like a Brick Car
  • Written by Julie Turner

By day, Tim Floyd is graphic design and brand manager for Palmetto Health. But this talented art director and artist also knows a thing or two about being a successful CreateAthoner. For about five years running, Tim has donated 24 hours of his immense brainpower and talent to his friends at Riggs Partners, who founded CreateAthon in 1998.... Read More

VCU Students Catch Pro Bono On Film
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

On September 20, VCU’s CreateAthon on Campus team stopped by Red Thinking to witness their pro-bono magic in progress. Nick Marfing, a VCU CreateAthon student, shot this great video documenting the agency’s strategy for making the most of their 24-hour creative blitz to benefit local nonprofits.... Read More

The CreateAthon Clock Ticks For Waggener Edstrom
  • Written by Jenni Brennison

The next CreateAthon of the 2013 season is in full swing. Waggener Edstrom’s inaugural pro bono marathon begins today. We’re excited to see all of the great work they’ll produce in the next 24 hours. We asked Rhian Rotz, Program Director for Corporate Citizenship, to tell us how their team prepared, what local nonprofits they’ll... Read More