The Chicago Association of Direct Marketing is celebrating more than 10 years of doing good through Direct From the Heart, CADM’s program to match DM volunteers with nonprofits seeking marketing assistance.
“It’s a great way for CADM to reach out to nonprofits and help them with their DM programs,” said Susan Kryl, former chairperson of the program, originally the brainchild of Pat Wheelless.
Kryl estimated the group has “officially” worked with 20 to 25 nonprofits to help them start direct marketing initiatives in the past decade. The official count, of course, doesn’t include other pro bono work CADM members have done with nonprofits they personally support.
Direct From the Heart is a member of Colin Powell’s America’s Promise Alliance, which works to facilitate volunteerism. The symbol of America’s Promise is a little red wagon; Kryl noted that she still has the actual red wagon sent to her by Powell.
Direct From the Heart’s annual nonprofit seminar day will be held Wed., May 21 at the Newberry Library in Chicago. The event is traditionally held at a nonprofit institution; previous locales have included the Shedd Aquarium, the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago History Museum.
Over the years, the content of the seminar has changed to reflect new technologies and trends. This year agenda, for example, includes sessions on how nonprofits can leverage e-mail and social media.
“There is media out there that is real inexpensive but you have to know how to use it,” said Kryl.
For more information about Direct From the Heart, visit http://www.cadm.org.
Network
