Have you ever experienced a positive event that changed the trajectory of your life forever? MicroGrants promotes economic self-sufficiency through strategic grants to low-income people of potential. Now that MicroGrants has won our Nonprofit Web Rescue Contest, we are creating a new website and marketing program for the organization, so that it can continue the cycle of giving and help more individuals achieve self-sufficiency. The Checkerboard team recently met with MicroGrants’ Betsy Buckley to get started.

In our first meeting, we discovered more about MicroGrants’ audience and marketing goals, and reviewed the key marketing principles that we will use to help launch MicroGrants to the next level. Checkerboard President Jason Kocina explains, “We consider marketing first, then build websites around sound marketing principles.”

CEO Lonny Kocina led the enthusiastic discussion. Lonny is passionate about teaching marketing terms and concepts to our clients. He recognizes that understanding the “why” behind a website provides a vital marketing advantage to our clients.

Our team explored MicroGrants’ target audience, the organization’s primary message points, and the actions they’d like their website visitors to take. The session helped Buckley think about MicroGrants’ audience on an even deeper level. Checkerboard Project Coordinator Alison Cromie comments, “Betsy Buckley’s enthusiasm and energy are really infectious. I feel they have a great mission and I’m excited to help them pursue it.” Sounds like the beginning of a great partnership.

Next, we’ll wrap up our audience and brand discussions. From there, our designers will be inspired to create a new look and feel for MicroGrants’ website.

Our first-ever Nonprofit Web Rescue Contest launched last June on our website and Facebook page. We offered the public an opportunity to nominate and vote for deserving charitable organizations that needed a marketing boost. As the contest winner, MicroGrants receives a package valued at $15,000 to $20,000. The award package includes a professionally designed, user-friendly website and a $5,000 media campaign provided by Media Relations, Inc. to promote MicroGrants’ cause and newly designed website to its target audience.

We are honored to contribute our web marketing and publicity expertise to MicroGrants’ mission. Stay tuned to watch the new website emerge.