Raise your hand if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking something like…
“I’m always busy working for my organization, and never ON my organization.”
“There’s an outcry of demand for my organization’s support, but people can’t find us. When they can, my team is small, and on the verge of locking themselves away with nothing but Netflix and a pint of Ben & Jerry’s if I put one more thing on their to-do list.”
“Even I’m scared to look at my website.”
If you work for a nonprofit in Winnipeg, you’re arm’s probably sore by now.
The bad news is, the path to solving this stuff is usually long, complicated and expensive. Coming up with KPI-smashing strategy, reinvigorating your culture and purging your website like your closet you’ve meant to refresh since 2017, takes time, talent and often, too much money.
The good news is, we know someone who wants to help.
Meet Honest Agency
For 24 years, Honest Agency has been at the forefront of brand building in Winnipeg and beyond. From their Exchange District office nestled in 191 Lombard Avenue, they work with local, national and international brands to create company personas, connect them with audiences, and make sure they look as good as they feel.
Plenty of agencies boast branding in the services section of their website. But check out Honest’s home page and you’ll see what sets them apart is they don’t just build brands.
“We build brands people love,” says Sherril Matthes, Honest Agency’s Partner and Organizational Strategy Lead. “These reflect the value of their stakeholders, deliver consistently on their brand promise and look great.”
And to do so, Sherril says, you have to get a little… personal.
“We’re known for the degree by which we invest in understanding our clients and their current situation and desired future state. We’ve been told by our clients that we dig deeper and build more clarity than any other agency they’ve worked with.”
Tireless research and investigation might not sound like your ideal first date, but this meticulousness enables Honest to craft brands that truly reflect the values and culture of the organizations they work with – which we think is downright romantic. But like Sherril notes, it is an investment – one that many nonprofits simply aren’t equipped for.
When you rely on volunteers, donations, and in some cases, wildly fluctuating government funding, every penny counts. Throw in a handful of staff managing a truckload of daily responsibilities, and it can be incredibly difficult to worry about anything that isn’t right in front of your face, directly contributing to your mandate.
Which sucks, because it’s important.
A strong brand is the backbone behind your organization’s appearance, messaging and culture. It helps you drive awareness, build trust, and attracts vital support from donors, volunteers, and partners. Without a clear identity and consistent messaging, their efforts might get lost in the noise.
Your brand helps craft a narrative that resonates, making it easier for you to connect with your community, amplify your mission, and ultimately increase your impact. It’s not just about a nice colour palette and logo—it’s about building a sustainable presence in the hearts and minds of Winnipeggers.
And you know this, because you’ve seen this. Honest is behind some of our province and country’s coolest rebrands working toward powerful goals, like helping establish CPHR as a national leader, protecting Manitoba’s fisheries with Fish Forward and reducing employee turnover with Manitoba Hydro’s Keeyask.
But now they’re launching an initiative aimed at bringing the juice to one deserving organization here in Winnipeg – for free.
A Refreshing Opportunity for Winnipeg Not-for-Profits
This fall, Honest Agency is offering a $60,000 brand transformation program pro-bono to one Winnipeg nonprofit or social enterprise.
It’s called The Lemonade Project. Pretty sweet.
The program includes a new strategic plan, a brand strategy and a rebrand, internal work to support organizational culture, and regular check-ins for up to two years.
“Everyone needs a new perspective once in a while,” says Sherril. “We take a fresh look at the logo and brand, but also where the organization is headed, where they can add the most value, and whether the culture is helping them get there.”
Anyone who wants to learn more or apply can hit this link to The Lemonade Project Application Form and follow the instructions. Then, a committee of Winnipeg executives in the not-for-profit and business community are responsible for evaluating, interviewing and choosing a candidate to participate. The application deadline is September 27, so make sure to apply or share with someone who might be interested soon.
When we first heard of The Lemonade Project, we were excited at the chance to share it, because we know this is what our members stand for at The Chamber – empowering local organizations to tell their stories, connecting across communities, and building a lasting, uplifting network.
Sherril says that’s the reason Honest joined The Chamber in the first place, to network and support our business community.
So for those interested in their own branding journey, we asked Sherril her best piece of advice.
“Play the long game. Branding is not a fast process, nor is it a ‘set it and forget it’ exercise. Getting your brand right the first time, nurturing it along the way and creating brand integrity will be the best investment you will ever make in your business.”
Hit this link to learn more about Honest Agency on their website.
