Stand Up for Kids

When we think of marketing we may think of big budget commercials, campaigns etc. but not every company can afford those high priced agencies or campaigns. While most savvy marketers know the huge power of citizen marketers and social media, some companies have yet to understand or implement tools to tap into current market trends. In economic down turns, recessions, and what will soon be a depression, many companies cut their marketing budgets and activities. This goes for profit driven as well as non profit organizations. What are non-profits to do in order to raise awareness and much needed funds for their cause?

You leverage good PR, corporate involvement/partnerships, and get communities involved and spread the word on your behalf. One example is “Race for the Cure” I don’t need to tell you what that activity is for. You already know it very well.
However there is one non-profit organization that is also working very hard to become as recognized as Susan G Komen and Breast Cancer. That organization is “STANDUP FOR KIDS“. Founded in 1990 to help rescue homeless and at-risk youth with national headquarters in San Diego, California, STANDUP FOR KIDS is run almost entirely by volunteers, and has programs in a number of states.

The focus of STANDUP FOR KIDS goes beyond street outreach and extends to deterrence and resource programs that we provide in schools and via the internet. But all facets of their mission are guided by the mandate that their volunteers shall tell kids they care about them and then, at every point, prove it.

What is STANDUP FOR KIDS doing to raise awareness and raise funds? This group has partnered with artist/activist, Scott Hancock of The Glue Network as well as different organizations such as the skater clothing line – Fallen and Black Box Distribution. Together this valuable partnership sells sneakers to raise funds and awareness at the same time. To get your STANDUP FOR KIDS’ sneakers, (click here) and find a store in your area.  STANDUP FOR KIDS is extremely proud to be recognized by Jamie Thomas and everyone at Fallen and Black Box Distribution by recognizing our work with our own sneakers. STANDUP FOR KIDS will receive $3.00 for every pair of sneakers sold, so get your pair today and support America’s homeless and street kids and at-risk youth.

Another innovative partnership that StandUp For Kids has entered into is with Virgin Mobile and Levi Jeans. The program is called “The ReGeneration” Using SMS (simple message system) aka texting, When you text the term “karma” to 68405, Levi Jean Co. will donate a pair of Levi Jeans to StandUp for Kids. This program is innovative on a few levels. First, it leverages partnerships. Second is that it is a great way for Virgin Mobile and Levi Jean Co. to give back to the community and help Homeless, at risk and runaway children. Thirdly, the coolest part of this program for me is the use of SMS, which I think is vastly underutilized by marketers. The use of SMS in this program to donate Levi Jeans to Homeless children makes it incredibly easy for anyone to participate. To learn more about how this program works click here.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out and buy some sneakers, and text “Karma” to 68405!

If you want to follow this organization on Twitter go to their Twitter profile at http://twitter.com/StandUp4kidsPhx