$10 Donation for Youth Marketing Project

The Issue: Local Merchants Competing with Chains for Customers

When big-box stores and fast-foot chains move into neighborhoods, they are backed by nearly limitless budgets. Local businesses, meanwhile, have comparatively limited resources, and may not be able to compete for customers even if they are offering comparable or even higher-quality products and services. However, with increased marketing, more local shoppers could be reached, and in turn spend their money at small businesses that contribute to the success of the local economy.

The Campaign: Producing Video for Local Businesses

If 50 people donate $10 to this Grassroots campaign, then Youth Speak Collective can produce a 30-second video promoting local businesses. Each additional $10 raised will go toward extending the length of the promotional video and adding more featured businesses.

Young people in the program work with a professional photographer or videographer and a local merchant to produce promotional videos. These youth-driven marketing campaigns help local businesses compete with chains without needing to spend extra money on marketing. The high-school students who pioneer and produce the videos also gain experience in professional design and marketing, and get the satisfaction of knowing they can make a difference in the makeup of their neighborhoods.