Our Mission
Brands for Better Foundation is a volunteer-driven, nonprofit initiative based in Vancouver, BC. We connect, inspire, and activate local change-makers to create a better world by leveraging their skills to support local causes. By uniting the power of brands and their people, we deliver measurable positive impact to local communities.
Our Pillars
The way we do things, and the things we do best, in order to fulfill our Mission.
Business-minded Experts
Our team of experienced business professionals understand the practical needs of businesses that allow them to use their efforts for good.
Career & Community
Experts using skills in a new context, learning from others, while giving back, strikes a unique combination of personal fulfillment and professional development.
Big Local Impact
Measurable, impactful effects for pressing local issues that have the potential to inspire and create change similarly in other communities.
United Networking
Brands and professionals yield bigger, more long-term outcomes when networking with a shared passion and a common goal.
Origin Story
Brands for Better was born at the Outdoor Retailer convention in Denver in 2018, where eco-friendly footwear company SOLE invited ethical and sustainable brands to share how they were using their businesses as a force for good. The immediate interest and connections sparked a new initiative. SOLE sought to replicate this in Vancouver, bringing local brands together to share innovative ideas and address local challenges, together.
Digital Hot Sauce joined forces to refine the concept, leading to the creation of the Brand Battle for Good event. A vision lunch with representatives from Vancouver’s top brands solidified the excitement around using professional expertise and brand power to make a local impact. Founding brands SOLE, ReCORK, Digital Hot Sauce, O2E Brands, and Unbounce led the charge, establishing the foundation.
Brands for Better Foundation is a volunteer-driven not-for-profit initiative. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, Tsleil-Waututh, and Musqueam Nations, commonly known as Vancouver, BC.
Our Team
At Brands for Better, we believe that together we can achieve more than alone. Our team is comprised of volunteer contributors who share this vision and dedicate their time to keep our initiative thriving.
Founding Brands
Brands for Better was founded by a group of brands united by a common goal: to harness their power for local impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Brands for Better funded?
Brands for Better is a volunteer-powered movement of passionate people and organizations working to serve and improve the local community and environment. Most Brands for Better events initiatives incur some hard costs. These costs and the operating budget are covered through event sales, generous donations and sponsorships.
How did Brands for Better get started?
Brands for Better and the Brand Battle for Good began with Karla Peckett and Scot Sustad, who shared a vision to combine creativity and collaboration to tackle local issues. They developed an “idea hackathon” using Design Thinking, refining the concept with a small team. After a well-received pitch to Vancouver’s business leaders, volunteers formed teams to bring the idea to life. Initially planned for 2020, the first Brand Battle was postponed due to COVID and launched virtually in April 2021. During the delay, the community came together for the ComeBack initiative, supporting local organizations affected by the pandemic.
How do you measure impact?
At the Brands for Better Foundation, we employ a comprehensive approach to measuring impact by utilizing both quantitative and qualitative metrics. This approach allows us to assess our progress and effectiveness in achieving our mission.
Alignment with Mission
We track our progress toward fulfilling our mission of connecting, inspiring, and activating local change-makers. This involves monitoring how our initiatives align with these core objectives and making necessary adjustments to ensure we remain focused on our goals.
Program Evaluation
Brands for Better offers several programs and initiatives aimed at connecting brands and professionals to create positive impact in their community:
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Springboard Program: Enables purpose-driven professionals and brands to volunteer their skills to support local nonprofits and cause-driven organizations. It focuses on skill-based volunteering, allowing individuals to contribute remotely and flexibly.
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Monthly Community Meetups: These in-person gatherings connect like-minded individuals and brands to inspire and activate positive change in Vancouver.
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How Can We Help: This platform allows individuals and cause-driven organizations to share their initiatives and inform the Brands for Better network about how they can assist. Support can come in the form of volunteer opportunities or spreading awareness about their work.
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Brand Battle for Good: A hybrid event where brand teams compete to develop solutions for pressing social and environmental issues. The event includes educational sessions and a strategy hack-a-thon.
Evaluations assess participant engagement, skill development, and the level of support provided to community projects.
Quantitative Metrics
We use the following metrics to quantify our impact:
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Volunteers Engaged: The number of volunteers participating in our programs.
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Hours Contributed: Total volunteer hours dedicated to our initiatives.
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Monetary Value of Services: The economic value of the services provided by our volunteers.
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Beneficiaries Served: The number of individuals or organizations benefiting from our programs.
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Volunteer Retention: The percentage of volunteers who continue to participate over time.
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Causes Helped: The variety of social causes supported through our initiatives.
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Connections Made: The number of partnerships and collaborations established.
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Funding/Sponsorship: The amount of financial support received from donors and sponsors.
Qualitative Metrics
To capture the depth and nuance of our impact, we also collect qualitative data:
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Stakeholder Feedback: Insights from participants, partners, and community members on our programs and services.
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Case Studies: Detailed analyses of specific projects or initiatives, highlighting successes and challenges.
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Community Impact Stories: Personal narratives illustrating the positive changes our work has brought about.
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Organizational Reputation: Assessments of how our brand is perceived by stakeholders and the broader community.
Theory of Change
Our strategies are designed to achieve lasting improvements in the community. We believe that by empowering local change-makers and fostering collaborative environments, we can create sustainable positive change.
Is anyone employed by Brands for Better?
Not currently and it will remain this way for as long as possible. The Brands for Better movement is made possible by generous and talented people volunteering their time, talents, and resources for the greater good.
What happens to the Brand Battle for Good winners and winning concepts?
At the end of each Brand Battle, the top three teams receive trophies and recognition. Beyond this, Brands for Better ensures that the winning idea is implemented. The first-place team receives donated resources, including branding packages, media support, and promotional videos, to help bring their concept to life. The 2021 winner, EcoMeter, was launched in Vancouver in 2022. The 2022 winner, Hello Yello, was launched in Vancouver in 2023.