Not-for-profit groups in Calgary and Vancouver will receive $50,000 in marketing and advertising services this year from the Karo Group.
Karo, which has offices in both cities, recently named the recipients of its Karo Kaus initiative: BodyWhys Youth Canada, a Calgary charity that helps youth with eating disorders, and Vancouver’s Public Dreams, which brings communities together through performance art festivals. Both charities are small, community-based organizations.
For each of the last five years, Karo has invited local not-for-profits and charities to apply for a grant from its Karo Kaus program, said Mark Szabo, Karo vice-president and managing director. “This is part of who we are and is one of the reasons why people like working for us.”
Szabo said BodyWhys’ biggest challenge is awareness and he believes Karo can create a rebranding campaign that “can take them to the next level.” The agency will also provide website work and communication services.
Public Dreams’ managing director Laura Grieco said the organization hopes a rebranding and awareness campaign from Karo will raise its public profile and help it move beyond its East Vancouver base. “People are aware of the festivals we support but not of our organization itself. We have been called the best kept secret in Vancouver.”
