Habitat for Humanity event design and website

Rebranding Habitat for Humanity's most important fundraiser

Client Habitat for Humanity

THE CHALLENGE

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity typically relies on a loose network of volunteers to assist with their marketing. To ensure their annual Habi Hour fundraising event went smoothly, they needed professional marketing, event design, and project management support.

THE GOAL

Position the 2017 fundraiser as the most exciting Habi Hour party yet, and to develop a simple and effective service model to make it easy for audience members to donate, register, and purchase tickets. We developed a website to effectively convert visitors into doners or attendees.

Project results


Hundreds of community members had an entertaining night out while supporting a worthwhile cause.

$38k+

raised through fundraiser, surpassing the previous year

100

silent auction items donated for charity fundraising

Our approach


Modern Animal mapped the user journey for the event, from hearing about it, to liking the Facebook page, to taking one of three actions—sponsor the event, gift an item, or purchase a ticket—on the way to actually attending the Habi Hour event. User Journey Mapping is an early-stage design tool that we apply to many of our projects, and that allows us to gain unique insight into the behavior of our customers.

Our client requested we update the Habi Hour brand to convey the spirit of the upcoming party–inviting, playful, and entertaining. To that end, we refreshed the logo from the previous year, incorporating a Mardi Gras theme. This kept the brand recognizable, but upgraded.

The logo we created for Habi Hour conveys the spirit of the party–inviting, playful, and entertaining. It was a variation on the previous year's logo, but we decided to incorporate the non-profit's primary logo to ensure it remained recogizably "Habitat"
Habitat for Humanity fundraiser logo

Once our customer journey was mapped out, we were able to map marketing methods and channels onto that blueprint. Modern Animal made recommendations, and to manage this project, we created an in-depth timeline for all communications activities. This included a complex mix of print materials, social media efforts, the website launch, press opportunities, e-newsletters, and ticket sales.

We developed a communication plan for the Habi Hour event. These marketing plans are difficult to coordinate. The event called on both our strategic marketing capabilities and our event/experience design competency.
Habitat for Humanity fundraiser communication plan

Next, we designed save-the-date cards, sponsorship forms, auction item donation forms, and social media imagery, with our new colorful branding. These materials helped us generate the inital excitement and support from local businesses that was needed.

We designed fundraising materials for Habitat to distribute to local businesses. The bright colors attract attention, and the clean design shows professionalism.
Promotional materials for Habitat for Humanity fundraiser

The centerpiece of the project was a one-page website, habihour.org. We built this custom event website from the ground-up. By putting all of the Habi Hour information in one place, we made it easier for local businesses to get information, and contribute financially. The design of the site showcases a clean, responsive layout and flat design.

We built Habitat a custom event website from the ground up, making it as easy a possible for local businesses to show financial support.
Habi Hour website design

"Modern Animal gave our event the boost it needed. I love the website and know our partners do too!"

Monica Priest
Director of Development
Habitat Kalamazoo

"We certainly put out a lot of color and fun together! It was an exciting and very rewarding evening for all."

Channon Russette-Mondoux
Habi Hour Chair
Habitat Kalamazoo

In the news

Video WWMT, West Michigan

Hundreds gather to celebrate for a good cause

February 18, 2017

Radio WKFR 103.3

Mardi Party for Habitat for Humanity in Kalamazoo

February 27, 2017

Radio WKZO Kalamazoo

Habitat for Humanity's Habi Hour Mardi Party

February 13, 2017

Let's make magic happen


Contact us today for a free 1/2 hour consultation.