How promotional items for charities can help build buzz

By Melanie Vandenboogaard

Whether offering resources to newcomers, providing refuge for animals or giving at-risk youth enriching opportunities, charities across Canada work hard to build a better world. Though marketing sometimes takes a back seat to more pressing priorities, spreading the word is an important part of each mission. Read how four organizations—with help from 4imprint one by one^® grants—built buzz using promotional items for charities.

Offering resources for vulnerable populations

DIVERSEcity Community Resources Society opens in new window is an organization dedicated to helping people new to Canada, including immigrants, refugees and temporary residents. It’s based in the growing city of Surrey, British Columbia, and recently celebrated its 46th anniversary.

The charity used a one by one grant to purchase sunglasses and lip balm for its summer heat-relief care package program. These and other items, like hand fans and water bottles, were distributed to residents at a celebration event for older adults.

Providing a haven for farm animals

The Happy Herd Farm Sanctuary opens in new window in Langley, British Columbia is a 4.5 acre sanctuary for abandoned, abused and at-risk farm animals. It’s home to three cows, 12 pigs, 22 goats and sheep, plus many chickens and turkeys.

Tours and events—including yoga with pigs and turkeys—are part of the sanctuary’s fundraising strategy. It used a one by one grant to buy long-sleeve shirts to sell in its gift shop. Not only do the shirts raise money to support the mission, but they also help promote the organization in the community.

Giving an educational, experiential boost to children

The Leacock Foundation, now rebranded as LiftED Literacy and Leadership, is a charity dedicated to bridging the opportunity gap for underserved and academically at-risk children. With a strong focus on literacy, it supports students in four high-needs Toronto communities, empowering them with the skills they need to thrive.

LEAP Into Literacy Summer Day Camp, one of the organization’s literacy programs, welcomes hundreds of students each year. A one by one grant was used to purchase water bottles for students attending camp. Attendees had an opportunity to decorate their bottles, then used them throughout the month-long experience.

Caring for people and pets

The Humane Society of Kitchener Waterloo and Stratford opens in new window is one of Ontario’s largest humane societies, operating two animal shelters to support pets and their owners within 13 of the province’s municipalities. It’s an organization committed to promoting the human-animal bond and focusing on the responsible treatment of animals through education, collaboration, compliance, advocacy and care.

A one by one grant provided collapsible pet bowls for its pet pantry program that provides assistance to individuals and families who are caring for pets and facing housing insecurity. The bowls were handed out during community events as well.

Interested in receiving nonprofit promotional items?

If you’re on the board of directors or employed by an accredited school, registered Canadian charity or religious organization and working to improve your community, the one by one grant program can help. Visit onebyone.4imprint.ca to learn more about how to receive in-kind promotional items for charities.

Melanie Vandenboogaard

Melanie VandenBoogaard is a senior merchandising category manager with nearly two decades of experience in the merchandising industry. She specializes in bags—including backpacks, totes, and more—staying on top of trends to ensure 4imprint offers a wide selection that meets customers’ needs in both style and price. Melanie also leads product development for 4imprint’s private-label brands, where she enjoys creating, building, and designing new products.

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