Helping organizations make a real difference.
Steppingstone is honored to have been involved with some of our region's most innovative and highly visibile projects, as well as important work behind the scenes -- with companies, foundations and non profits that are increasing community well-being, day in and day out.
Some highlights:
Some highlights:
Medtronic TC Kids Marathon
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: A joint effort between Twin Cities Marathon, Inc. (now Twin Cities in Motion) and the Medtronic Foundation to encourage kids to get active by "running one mile at a time"...with their families, at school and at Kids Marathon community running events; backed by unique online exercise tools and support.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project co-design with partners: marketing, communications and online vendor management at launch, partnership management. Ongoing consultation.
RESULTS: Since 2007, over 18,500 children and their families have participated in the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon and benefitted from its year-round training programs and running events, logging 253,000 total miles. Nearly 100 schools, 600 teachers and community groups have become involved, and the program won the 2009 and 2010 Youth Event of the Year from Running USA.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project co-design with partners: marketing, communications and online vendor management at launch, partnership management. Ongoing consultation.
RESULTS: Since 2007, over 18,500 children and their families have participated in the Medtronic TC Kids Marathon and benefitted from its year-round training programs and running events, logging 253,000 total miles. Nearly 100 schools, 600 teachers and community groups have become involved, and the program won the 2009 and 2010 Youth Event of the Year from Running USA.
Detroit Museum Adventure Pass
Image courtesy of Cultural Alliance of Southeastern MI.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: The Library of Michigan Foundation, the Cultural Alliance of Southeastern Michigan and Macy's launched a program to offer free museum passes to more than 20 area museums and cultural attractions which could be "checked out" at 162 greater Metro Detroit's public libraries like a library book.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project management pre-launch: integrating logistics, communications and marketing between the founding parties.
RESULTS: In its first year, more than 100,000 library patrons used the program. Significant media coverage was generated and many more arts partners have joined the program since its inception.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project management pre-launch: integrating logistics, communications and marketing between the founding parties.
RESULTS: In its first year, more than 100,000 library patrons used the program. Significant media coverage was generated and many more arts partners have joined the program since its inception.
Piper Jaffray: Community Affairs and Grantmaking Consulting
Photo courtesy of Piper Jaffray.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Multi-faceted, multi-year support to this investment bank's Community Affairsdepartment.
STEPPINGSTONE: Research, assessment, recommendations for a grantmaking guidelines update. Annual "program officer" consulting: content creation for online grantmaking inquiry tool, grant reviews and funding recommendations during annual grant rounds, interface with non profits during entire process. Created all content for several community annual reports, interfacing with internal marketing services group; used by customer-facing sales staff throughout firm. Ongoing consulting on various Community Affairs issues and opportunities, including the employee giving campaign.
RESULTS: Increased impact and visibility of giving efforts, contributed to consistent, thoughtful, professional grantmaking approach in key communities.
STEPPINGSTONE: Research, assessment, recommendations for a grantmaking guidelines update. Annual "program officer" consulting: content creation for online grantmaking inquiry tool, grant reviews and funding recommendations during annual grant rounds, interface with non profits during entire process. Created all content for several community annual reports, interfacing with internal marketing services group; used by customer-facing sales staff throughout firm. Ongoing consulting on various Community Affairs issues and opportunities, including the employee giving campaign.
RESULTS: Increased impact and visibility of giving efforts, contributed to consistent, thoughtful, professional grantmaking approach in key communities.
Thrivent Builds Mobile Multimedia Exhibit
Photo courtesy of Thrivent Builds.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: 67-foot rolling exhibit traveled the U.S. for four years, visiting 157 cities in 28 states, telling the story of poverty housing in America and simple steps we can take to be part of the solution. Showcased unique and wide-reaching alliance between Thrivent Financial for Lutherans and Habitat for Humanity.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project lead on launch of mobile unit: coordination of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Habitat for Humanity and mobile marketing vendor resources into a cohesive whole through logistics management and oversight of marketing, internal/field communications, events, etc.
RESULTS: Substantial media coverage and volunteer/fraternal member/employee engagement in the work of the alliance and the issue of poverty housing.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project lead on launch of mobile unit: coordination of Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, Habitat for Humanity and mobile marketing vendor resources into a cohesive whole through logistics management and oversight of marketing, internal/field communications, events, etc.
RESULTS: Substantial media coverage and volunteer/fraternal member/employee engagement in the work of the alliance and the issue of poverty housing.
Artspace Projects, Inc. Online Toolkit
Photo courtesy of Artspace Projects, Inc.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The Artspace Consulting Toolkit is an innovative online resource for communities wanting to learn more about developing affordable space for artists and arts organizations. It is packed with useful planning and assessment tools, based on Artspace's many years of experience as the nation's leading non profit real estate developer.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project lead and strategist for positioning and scope of this tool. Led internal team of technical experts on content direction, framing and editing. Worked with marketing and online experts to develop online site format and look.
RESULTS: Launch in progress.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project lead and strategist for positioning and scope of this tool. Led internal team of technical experts on content direction, framing and editing. Worked with marketing and online experts to develop online site format and look.
RESULTS: Launch in progress.
Washburn Center for Children 125th Anniversary
Image courtesy of Washburn Center for Children.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Washburn Center for Children, the most comprehensive children's mental health resource in Minnesota, celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2008. An anniversary gala was held at the Minnesota History Center with related development, awareness-building and marketing activities occurring in conjunction with the event.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project management support and deep event management expertise to highly engaged Gala Committee; marketing positioning, key messages, development of detailed event plan; execution with staff, board and volunteers.
RESULTS: Met event fundraising goals; new/existing donors and supporters re-energized through the gala's moving experiences, which brought to life the organization's important mission.
STEPPINGSTONE: Project management support and deep event management expertise to highly engaged Gala Committee; marketing positioning, key messages, development of detailed event plan; execution with staff, board and volunteers.
RESULTS: Met event fundraising goals; new/existing donors and supporters re-energized through the gala's moving experiences, which brought to life the organization's important mission.
