How we’re raising the bar for non-profit organizations and small businesses

One of our core values at Rock & Bloom is ‘make a difference’. One of the ways we’re making a difference is by offering pro bono branding services for non-profit organizations and small businesses that might not otherwise have the resources to work with us.

The Who

You might have heard of us, but for those who are new here, we’re a Canadian-based brand studio with a knack for creating beautiful, functional, and results-driven projects. We’ve been fortunate to make a career out of building relationships and creating killer brands for hundreds of clients across the globe. We do everything from new brand identities, to full-blown websites, to crafting game-changing campaigns.

The What

Meet Brand Aid.    

We created Brand Aid with the intention of helping a ‘Champion of Choice’ elevate their brand and tell their story through in-kind donated work. The brands that we choose align with our core values and respect the work that we do. 

Non-profit organizations and small businesses do a lot with a little. They do so much for our communities, and yet very often lack the budget to elevate their brand or even properly communicate their services and skills to potential donors, clients or customers. They might lack the resources needed to create a strong brand identity, build a fully-functional, and user-friendly website, or to tell their story in an effective and far-reaching way. And yet, these are the stories that need to be heard the most. 

Brand Aid’s mission is to give a megaphone to those storytellers; to create positive change within an organization, giving them new tools to grow and succeed. 

The Why 

“At the core of our business is to make an impact. We don’t just want to make things that are pretty – we want to affect change in a client’s business.”

 – Heather Adams, CEO of Rock & Bloom

Brand Aid supports organizations that share our values and vision. Together, we’re able to build a partnership built on empathy and creative collaboration, producing impactful results that would otherwise not be possible. 

Brand Aid is not only meaningful to the client, but also fills the cups of our team members who are passionate about the work they are doing.  

Our mission is to be the best brand studio to work with and work for. Upholding this mission involves continually communicating with our team, rating fulfillment after each project, and really listening to feedback to determine what projects we spend our time and resources on.

The Impact

Our first Champion of Choice was Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan (RMHC-SK). This incredible organization offers a safe, secure, and nourishing environment  for families caring for their sick child receiving medical treatment in Saskatchewan.

RMHC-SK keeps families together, during what is a stressful and challenging time. The work that they do and programs they provide,  positively impacts the health and wellbeing of the entire family.

“It’s so incredibly rewarding to be a part of a project that is vital to our community and will have a huge impact on families’ lives – even long after they’ve left the house.”

– Mellary Bitner, Designer. 

When it came to choosing RMHC-SK it was an easy decision. We’ve worked with them for years on smaller projects and have developed a collaborative partnership that always results in both teams feeling fulfilled. The work that they do is so impactful and we felt honoured to be able to partner with their team again to tell their story in a truly compelling way. 

For this project, we built RMHC-SK a new website that is true to their mission, while showing what they do in a way that speaks to their audience. The end result is both functional and beautiful, creating a positive user experience and leaving the user with a lasting impression.

“We have truly enjoyed the time spent in collaboration with Rock & Bloom over the many years we have engaged with their team as our Design Agency. The Rock & Bloom team is incredibly easy to work with and truly understands our brand and mission. The sharing of their expertise as true partners to our organization is valued and appreciated by our entire team.”

– Tammy Forrester, CEO Ronald McDonald House Charities Saskatchewan

Building a path towards reconciliation through Indigenous sport in Canada

Sask Sport has shown a long-standing commitment to supporting reconciliation in collaboration with Indigenous communities, working to promote inclusion and participation in sports.

In partnership with Indigenous leaders and the Rock & Bloom team, Sask Sport created an Indigenous Sport Timeline. This timeline aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, serving as an educational tool that highlights key moments in Indigenous sport while fostering ongoing engagement in reconciliation efforts.

Our Opportunity

Our relationship with Sask Sport, rooted in collaboration and shared goals, has enabled us to participate in weaving the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action into the fabric of sport in Saskatchewan. Sask Sport’s emphasis on Calls to Action 87 to 91 reflects its dedication to Indigenous participation in sport and the ongoing journey of reconciliation.

Collaboration is key

Our approach was to center Indigenous voices and needs, ensuring the Calls to Action were integrated in ways that are accessible and rooted in the resources and histories of Indigenous peoples. Sask Sport’s dedication to ‘walking the talk’ in this process shows their genuine commitment to action over symbolism. Together, we’ve developed a timeline that is more than just a project—it’s a learning journey for all of us, creating space for reflection and action in daily life through sports.

Our work is never done  

Though progress has been made, there is still much to learn and do. Sask Sport’s timeline is just one step on the long road of reconciliation, providing an ongoing invitation to educate and engage communities. It is a reminder that reconciliation is a shared responsibility that requires continuous effort, listening, and action. We are proud to support Sask Sport in amplifying Indigenous voices and ensuring that this work remains authentic, grounded, and meaningful.

We are grateful for the opportunity to learn through this collaboration with Sask Sport. Their leadership has provided us, and many others, with the tools to integrate the Calls to Action into everyday actions. We invite you to explore Sask Sport’s Indigenous Sport Timeline to celebrate and deepen your understanding of Indigenous sport in Saskatchewan.