FEATURED PROJECT
Laos Initiatives
Economic Sustainability and Community Development Projects
Overview
When I joined the Laos Initiatives team, we were a small, passionate group based in Columbus, Ohio, working to support community development and economic development projects in Laos. Although the initiative was part of a larger global missions organization, the Laos Initiatives had very little visibility. I volunteered my marketing and communications expertise to help change that – building early momentum that helped seed a global network of partnerships and tangible, community-centered transformation in Laos.
​
Today, the Laos Initiatives have a thriving in-country team, a vocational school that is preparing for NGO approval, and flourishing village-level partnerships that are expanding access to education, sustainable agriculture, water wells, and micro-lending opportunities.
Newsletter content development and design with branded look
The Challenge
With minimal existing infrastructure, our challenge was to elevate Laos Initiatives from a little-known passion project to a recognized and supported arm within a global network. We needed to centralize communications, create inspiring narratives, and activate a growing base of partners – all with very limited resources.
The Strategy
I developed and executed a foundational marketing and communications strategy that included:
-
Centralizing data and communications to create consistency and share updates regularly
-
Newsletter design, editing, and content brainstorming in collaboration with the Laos partners
-
Fundraising campaign development that focused on storytelling and tangible impact
-
Promotional materials
-
Conference display design
-
Global ambassador activation to expand reach
-
Multi-media shared experiences including photography, videos, and storytelling to connect U.S. supporters to the work in Laos
-
Content creation for the global organization including featured articles to raise visibility and integrate Laos Initiatives into broader communications
The Impact
-
Established a consistent, inspiring brand presence for Laos Initiatives within the global organization
-
Helped expand the network of global partners supporting Laos
-
Strengthened local leadership in Laos through 50/50 sustainable partnership models
-
Supported the growth of initiatives including micro-lending, educational access and water access
-
Elevated storytelling and donor engagement that built long-term support and momentum
Why It Worked
Laos Initiatives grew through combining grassroots passion with professional, strategic communications that honored the dignity of the partner communities and amplified their stories. We successfully elevated the visibility of community development projects and converted global audiences into partners with local communities.
Conference materials for partners
Banner signage, with refreshed brand
Annual impact report; refreshed brand