Case Study: Love, Unity, and Values Institute - #SlowDownShowLUV Campaign

Odd Media Solutions

Client: Love, Unity, and Values Institute (LUV Institute)

Industry: Nonprofit, Youth Empowerment, Education


Services Provided: Social Media Strategy, Event Campaign Support, On-the-Ground Event Support, Operational Process Consulting, Digital Marketing, Fundraising Campaigns

Background:


The LUV Institute, a nonprofit based in Chicago, serves youth on the Southside of the city, one of the most underserved communities in the nation. Through a combination of restorative, social-emotional approaches and a focus on college and career readiness, LUV Institute has been transforming the lives of young people of color for over 10 years. Their mission is to help youth explore their potential through art expression, entrepreneurship, leadership development, and more, all while addressing the trauma many of these young people have faced.


We were introduced to LUV Institute through a referral — a powerful testament to the importance of word-of-mouth in building lasting business relationships. Initially hired to support their social media strategy for a specific program, our partnership quickly expanded into a broader collaboration, including event campaign support, strategic consulting, and on-the-ground event management.



Challenge:


LUV Institute had been using traditional methods to raise awareness for their programs but wanted to take their outreach and impact to the next level. Their goal was to engage a larger audience, generate new donations, and bring attention to their transformative work. The challenge was creating a unified, multi-channel campaign that resonated with their diverse stakeholders and encouraged both in-person and digital participation.




Our Approach:


We approached this challenge with the same commitment to excellence and impact that drives all of our projects. Working closely with the LUV Institute team, we helped design and execute a comprehensive Giving Tuesday campaign in 2022 that would not only raise awareness about the organization’s mission but also engage their community and stakeholders in meaningful ways.


  • Campaign Design: We developed the #SlowDownShowLUV campaign, which included a 14-hour live event that encouraged the community to participate in service and give back. The event was streamed live online, with multiple segments highlighting the LUV Institute’s programs, success stories, and mission.
  • Multi-Channel Engagement: To drive engagement, we created email and text message templates targeting past donors and stakeholders, inviting them to participate in the campaign and contribute to the cause. We also invited their partner organizations to join the campaign and share the spotlight.
  • On-the-Ground Support: Our team traveled to Chicago to assist with the tech setup and the overall flow of the event. We ensured that the event ran smoothly and that all digital elements were aligned with the live activities.
  • Strategic Partnerships: By leveraging LUV Institute’s existing relationships with local organizations, we were able to amplify the campaign's reach and further spread the message of love, unity, and values across the city.



Results:


The #SlowDownShowLUV campaign was a success. For the first time, the LUV Institute engaged in a large-scale Giving Tuesday campaign that generated donations, raised awareness about the organization’s transformative work, and strengthened their network of supporters. The live event helped bring together a diverse audience, both virtually and in person, and provided a platform for LUV Institute to showcase their impact and mission.


  • Increased Donations: The campaign successfully stimulated donations on Giving Tuesday, contributing to the organization’s fundraising goals.
  • Expanded Reach: Our strategic communications helped increase LUV Institute’s visibility both locally and nationally.
  • Stronger Community Engagement: The event encouraged widespread participation, from the LUV Institute’s partners to community members, all rallying together in the name of service and unity.



Key Takeaways:


Key Takeaways:

  • Tailored Strategies Work: This campaign showed the power of creating tailored, multi-channel strategies that resonate with a diverse audience and drive both online and offline engagement.
  • Collaboration is Key: The success of this campaign was built on deep collaboration with LUV Institute’s team, their partners, and other stakeholders, allowing us to create a truly impactful movement.
  • Expanding Our Reach: The success of this campaign also marked a new chapter for Odd Media Solutions, as it took us beyond our local territory and allowed us to make an impact in Chicago, a city we had yet to serve. It was an honor to expand our reach and help LUV Institute amplify their mission across state borders.


Why It Matters:


This case study exemplifies the kind of transformative work Odd Media Solutions is proud to be a part of — supporting nonprofit organizations that are creating lasting change. Through our partnership with the LUV Institute, we were able to help elevate their mission, raise much-needed funds, and engage their community in a meaningful way. We're honored to have played a role in their Giving Tuesday campaign and look forward to seeing the continued impact they make on youth in Southside Chicago.


If you're looking to amplify your organization’s mission or need a creative partner to help you elevate your next campaign, we’re ready to help you make it happen. Let's connect and make an impact together.


By Odyssey Weathers February 3, 2025
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