KWI Communications, an Atlanta agency driven by its passion for building and investing in community, developed a Community Partnerships Program (CPP) in early 2019 as a a way for its purpose-driven staff to provide skills-based volunteer hours to a local nonprofit organization. The KWI team chose Ahimsa House, Georgia’s first and only organization dedicated to helping the human and animal victims of domestic violence reach safety together, as its inaugural CPP partner.
After a communications audit, KWI determined that Ahimsa House would benefit strongly from a collection of resources its staff could leverage both during its engagement with KWI and for future events and outreach efforts. Additionally, it was interested in gaining brand awareness and increasing donations for its organization. To meet these needs, KWI provided communication strategy, social media, traditional media and community outreach consulting and resources, resulting in record-breaking fundraising for Ahimsa House, as well as increased brand recognition.
KWI social media and outreach teams developed communications toolkits and strategies surrounding Ahimsa House’s four annual events. Throughout the process, KWI partnered with Ahimsa House in an advisory role to ensure they were equipped to successfully execute on these resources. This included communications plans, social media content strategy and sample posts, toolkits with resources for stakeholders, media outreach strategy and press releases, recommended best practices, email communications, graphics and video content.
With KWI’s assistance and oversight, Ahimsa House saw their social media audience grow, gaining followers on Facebook and on Instagram. Additionally, Ahimsa House exceeded an already ambitious fundraising goal of $35,000 for Georgia Gives Day, raising $38,000 in one day. Refreshed storytelling developed by KWI for the Ahimsa House email campaign more than doubled the click-through rate for Ahimsa House email blasts and prompted a deluge of positive feedback from supporters. In addition, a new event concepted and planned by KWI, Pints & Pups, increased exposure for Ahimsa House both with the general public and with Orpheus Brewing, a new partner for the organization. Ahimsa House’s outreach team has seen an influx of new supporters and volunteers who learned about the organization for the first time this year. Additionally, more than 180 supporters attended the Joining Hands & Paws Gala, raising $95,300 for Ahimsa House.
The project proved immensely beneficial for Ahimsa House. “This is SO incredibly helpful,” said Shannon Oxford, KWI’s Ahimsa House contact and client. “Thank you all so much for your partnership and for creating these resources for us.”
