Instead of some sappy blog about love and hearts, we’re gonna share our love for the organizations and the people making a BIG difference in our community and state. We’ll still honor Valentine’s Day by consuming pounds of heart-shaped chocolate candy cause we’re team players.
We talk a lot about the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), it is what gives us purpose and direction as a company. Part of EOS is defining your core target and your reason for being 10 years from now. This is ours.
Our national client base knows us as an agency that uses our marketing skills and connections to elevate unheard voices (DEI, WOSBs, LGBTQI+) and positively impact the next generation.
It’s why we support the following organizations, sponsor student activities, established a scholarshi, and spend our time sharing knowledge.
For the Vets
Several years ago, Kim was asked to be a part of an organization dedicated to supporting veterans. Along with her best friend Sue, some guys named Ron and Jon and a third fella we forget, For the Vets was born. The nonprofit is focused on demonstrating gratitude to our veterans through acts of kindness and generosity.
For the Vets hosts a Veterans Wish List Drive each year to collect items our veterans deeply need. They also accept donations throughout the year, directly supporting veterans in West Michigan. Check out the website for more information.
Women Impacting Public Policy
It’s an organization advocating for women, hence why we’re involved. Women Impacting Public Policy educates women business owners on economic policy and current initiatives in D.C. that will impact them. Because as much as we may not like it, politics affects all of us.
WIPP has a team on Capitol Hill full-time advocating for women, ensuring their voices are heard and their priorities followed. If you are a woman business owner or entrepreneur, this group can only help you. If you want to know more, go to wipp.org.
Inforum
Like the last Women-focused group we mentioned, Inforum is one of those organizations that we just love to hype up. Inforum helps women across Michigan see what’s possible and helps them achieve those goals faster. We are the media sponsor for their annual capstone dinner, which is always the best time.
As keynote speakers, Inforum has brought in Tarana Burke, founder of the Me Too movement, and most recently, Dr. Dominique Pritchett, a mental wellness strategist who also joined us on our podcast. If you are a woman, a business owner or just trying to get connected with other influential women, check out Inforum.
Women in Defense
We have a lot of involvement with GovCon and the Defense Industry, which is just one of the many reasons we love Women in Defense Michigan. WID is dedicated to supporting women in the field of national security, building a strong community and providing support to women while offering tons of opportunities for professional growth. Their mission? Empowering women by boosting their leadership and professional skills.
They organize networking events, educational programs, and community initiatives. It’s not just about making connections in the industry; it’s about pushing the boundaries for women in this field.
SPEAC
Calvin University’s SPEAC team came to be after a 2017 Campus Climate Survey found that the school was silently suffering from the presence of domestic violence and stalking on campus. After receiving a $300,000 federal grant from the Department of Justice, the team was born. SPEAC stands for, Sexual Violence Prevention Education Ambassors of Calvin, and a similar variation of this grant exists at Grand Valley State University, Aquinas College, and Ferris State Univeristy.
The SPEAC team is partnered with local agencies such as Safe Haven Ministries and the YWCA to bring on-campus resources at no cost to students. Their goal is to rewrite the narrative around sexual assault in a historically shame-based culture. We think it’s a worthy cause.
These are just some of the organizations we are a part of or support, but we are always looking for more ways to give back to our community. If you have an organization you think we should know about, email us at news@8thirtyfour.com.
