Dixon|James has a long history of bringing its strategic communications, brand and change management capabilities to bear for mission focused organizations. The Chicago-based firm helps nonprofits address strategic planning, branding, development and board effectiveness issues to perform at their best.

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Founder Jim Heininger is a 30-year marketing communications agency leader with both professional and personal contributions in the nonprofit arena:

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• Created and led the first global branding campaign for Lions Clubs International – For All The World to See -- leveraging its years of efforts to conquer blindness.

• Guided the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital board of directors in a brand refresh to better convey the institution’s life-saving work: Finding Cures. Saving Children.

• Supported establishment of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, sending the Wendy’s founder to the White House for two recognitions and building Dave’s reputation as the “patron saint of adoption” (USA Today).

• Rebranded The British Home to Cantata Adult Life Services enabling the senior care provider to convey relevance to a new Baby Boomer generation of clients and diversify its services.

• Rebranded the Walk-In Ministry to Prevail spurring local support and demand for its financial emergency response services.

• Former chair of the Make-A-Wish Foundation Illinois, the largest revenue chapter in the nationwide association. During his leadership the board evolved its governance model, assumed responsibility for a bordering chapter and launched its first capital campaign. It was recognized as the top performing chapter his year as chairman.

• Current board president of Housing Forward on ending homelessness in west suburban Cook County.

• Spoke to the American Marketing Association’s Nonprofit Conference on how to effectively rebrand a mission-based organization.

 

Support to nonprofit organizations include:

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• Strategic Plan Development

• Leadership Coaching

• Branding

• Integrated Communications

• Board Coaching and Recruiting

• Development Plan Creation

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