UPDATE: The Facebook group is official!

What is this?

Put simply, it’s my big idea.

Can you give a little more information?

Absolutely—thank you for asking. Here’s the skinny version:

The Fresno Design Alliance holds a twice-annual design competition that provides a chosen nonprofit with a new logo, and the winning designer with the respect of his or her peers (and an iPod). A logo is a critical piece of the branding puzzle for any organization, but for a nonprofit in need of a makeover, it’s only a starting point. For this reason, this project will build the logo into a larger design package, pair that with a comprehensive marketing plan, which will complement an equally comprehensive fundraising plan—all specific to the needs of the participating nonprofit. To set the organization up for success in implementing all of this (as opposed to overloading the organization with ideas), college students studying marketing, design, business and/or nonprofit leadership will (ideally) serve as interns.

What fancy title will describe this awesome idea?

The working title (proposed by Nikhita Poplar) is Extreme Nonprofit Makeover. This is up for discussion, though it could be fun to yell “move that website!” (in an energetic, Ty Pennington-like voice).

Who’s invited to the party?

• Fresno Design Alliance—the Iron Designer Challenge, after all, provided inspiration
• Marketing Think Tank—a collaborative group of…well, marketers
• Association of Fundraising Professionals—hopefully, a theme is beginning to emerge
• Nonprofit consultants—to help bind some of this together through organizational development
• Web developers—to develop webs
• University professors—because they know everything
• Interns—to provide ongoing support for the participating nonprofit
• Other vendors—to donate goods and services like paper and printing
• Anyone else who 1) is willing to help out, and 2) offers something valuable to the project

Do these organizations/people know they’re invited?

Probably not. But you’re obviously a details person, and we could use your skills.

This sounds awesome, but is it feasible?

Maybe. It’s hard to answer the question, though, without a sincere attempt at succeeding.

If all this sounds lofty, though, it is. So are the hopes of many local nonprofit leaders, and the challenges they face. Who better to rally around, especially in these uncertain times?

So, which nonprofit will this benefit?

That is yet to be determined. Ideally, the project will benefit a nonprofit that has been serving our community for several years (and is thus more in need of making over than a younger organization). The organization selected must be willing to accept change, and must work well with those who will be volunteering their time and talents.

If you are a nonprofit (that would be weird, but as long as you’re not marrying another nonprofit, we won’t ask any questions)—or if you know of a nonprofit in need of what’s been outlined above—email mybigidea@paprikastudios.com to talk about this a bit more.

What metrics will be used to determine success?

Why would we use metrics? This is America, not Europe.

Anyway, the impact of this project is quite large, potentially. But we won’t know what that potential is without crunching a few numbers—first we’ll recruit project partners, then we’ll work out these things.

I’m not a nonprofit, but I want to be involved. How can I help?

That’s the easiest question of all! Leave a comment for everyone to see (again, we’re rallying), or send your thoughts to mybigidea@paprikastudios.com.

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