In a continued effort to promote positive social impact, TJM & Co. Media Boutique’s the Social Good PRoject offered its annual service grant, providing a unique opportunity for eligible nonprofit organizations and certified B-Corp small businesses to receive four months of pro-bono public relations support.
“You will often hear people say that they love what they do so much that they would do it for free if they could. The Social Good PRoject is my way of doing what I love for free,” says Tiffany Joy Murchison, TJM & Co. CEO and one of Crain’s New York 2023 Most Notable Leaders in Advertising, Marketing, and PR. “Purpose is our company culture; you cannot have purpose without giving back and paying it forward. As a Black woman entrepreneur, I am excited to pour into an organization that is pouring into the next generation of women leaders.”
The application period for this coveted grant took place from June 1st to June 30th each year, with the winner announced by August 1st. The service period, for the fortunate recipient, ran from September 1st through December 20th.
The Social Good PRoject’s initiative was geared toward assisting organizations that were actively working towards a better society, either through their nonprofit endeavors or their commitment to responsible business practices as certified B-Corps. Eligibility for this generous grant was determined by annual revenue, with nonprofit entities needing to have less than $500,000 in annual revenue, and certified B-Corps falling below the threshold of $250,000.
A noteworthy requirement was that applicants must not have had any past or present affiliation with TJM & Co., ensuring a fair opportunity for new participants. While the grant’s primary focus lay within the following service areas: New York, New Jersey, New England (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island), DMV area (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia), Pennsylvania, and the Mid-Atlantic region (Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia), the Social Good PRoject encouraged interested parties from all locations to submit their applications.
The grant served as a beacon of support for organizations that were committed to making a positive difference in their communities. By offering pro-bono public relations services, the Social Good PRoject aimed to amplify the voices of nonprofits and certified B-Corps, helping them raise awareness of their causes and initiatives.
The finalists of the Social Good PRoject are listed below:
Yes Girls Create Inc.
Founded by Therese Myers, Yes Girls Create Inc. is a nonprofit youth mentorship organization dedicated to uniting girls 8 – 18 years old through creative collaborative events. They host monthly labs where girls receive hands-on training and mentoring from adult women creatives. The girls participate in a variety of experiences that will enhance their creative spirits, develop their self- esteem, and cultivate timeless friendships.
Craig D. Butler Scholarship Foundation
Founded by Khadijah Butler, Craig D. Butler Scholarship Foundation is a memorial scholarship foundation honoring her father, Craig D. Butler, after he was shot and murdered at the hands of a 14-year-old in 1999. Each year, they award (2) $1,000 scholarships to African American high school seniors attending Philly High schools. CDB Scholarship’s mission is to provide financial assistance to African Americans in pursuit of higher education in the aftermath of gun violence.
Women’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC
Founded by Somia El-Rowmein, WECNYC was established in 2020 as a 501(c)3 organization, with a mission to advocate and empower women from diverse communities in NYC. The organization is focused on building power and unity among immigrant women through education, organizing, and leadership development.
Bloom Empowerment
Founded by Jacqueline Fernandez, Bloom Empowerment strives for an all-inclusive society where every person can meet their basic needs. Since 2019, they have served nearly 5,000 underserved women and children with emergency financial support, food, employment resources, scholarships, women empowerment events, community events, and youth activities.
Heart, Body, & Soul, Inc.
Founded by Christopher Williams, Heart, Body & Soul (HBS) was created to be a resource to Black men, particularly in underserved communities, as it relates to their physical and mental health and to improve and increase communication between Black men, their healthcare providers, and their families regarding their overall health.
Nubian Conservatory of Music
Founded by Edward Gordon, the Nubian Conservatory of Music is a Brooklyn music school that teaches classical music to inner-city students, particularly of the black diaspora. They teach children ages 5-17 years old how to play, read music, and perform before a live audience.
