How I helped create 65 internships and saved ~$175K for struggling small businesses in Illinois during the pandemic
Launching a 200+ person mentorship program
My role: Creative Lead
Involvement: 12 months
In May of 2020, I helped launch the COVID-19 Business Fellowship Program—a non-profit mentorship program that paired students who lost internships as a result of the pandemic with professional mentors in their respective careers in order to help small businesses solve some of their most pressing problems amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
As Creative Lead of the program, I was in charge of crafting the services we would offer businesses (alongside the other first 10 founding members), piloting the first "pod" or team, creating and maintaining CBFP's brand voice, recruiting creative student talent in design and marketing, and strategizing social outreach campaigns for both the program and the small businesses it served.
How it all
started
When the pandemic hit, students across the country lost internships and work prospects, businesses closed or changed indefinitely, and professionals were sent home in uncertainty. University of Illinois alums Alex Littleton and Walker Post
saw this as an opportunity for positive change, and had the idea for a volunteer-based program where students could help struggling small businesses. They passed along the idea of their mission to friends, mutual connections, and family. In two days, over 40 professionals and selected student volunteers got together to help organize and plan what would become the COVID-19 Business Fellowship Program.
Learning how
we can help
To figure out CBFP's identity, we first needed to learn where we could make the biggest impact.
We asked 47 small businesses:
"Which of these services would you be interested in CBFP providing help in?"
Figuring out
who we are
After learning about how the program could help those involved, we needed to practice some introspection.
I interviewed Alex and Walker and asked them some basic but fundamental questions about the program to better clarify and define the mission and its components.
Brainstorming
Identity development
*drag to rearrange
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In action
Business Flyer
This was used to recruit small businesses for the program. The flyer was used largely online via social media.
Student Flyer
This was used to recruit students for the program. The flyer was used largely online via social media.
Social Media
Banners
These were used on the Facebook and LinkedIn pages for CBFP.
Profile Pictures
Used for a variety of social media accounts.
