Case Study
Foundation for a College Education
Graybird supports Foundation for a College Education to build a robust volunteer college advisory.
The Challenge

The Bold Move
Rebrand
Graybird Foundation zeroed in on Trust and Inspiration, two emotions that FCE stakeholders wanted to see in the representation of its new identity. In addition, the logo needed to connect the organization’s name with the complex and demanding process through which students and families navigate along the path to college graduation. Graybird worked with a special marketing committee at FCE to select three logo designs from an initial group of 16. In true form with its value in community, FCE tested these designs with students, parents, staff, tutors, and donors, which informed the final selection of the new logo. The new identity combines the organization’s name in a clear, strong typeface and bold color, carving a direct path to achieve the goal of a college degree.
3 colors. FCE’s extended name is a graphic mouthful. Using purple and red to emphasize the meaningful words helps the readability of the word mark.

The two words, College Education, are in the same color so they read as one unit. Red, the strongest color, is used to emphasize the ultimate goal.

— Julie Lythcott-Haims, FCE President
Moving Forward
Empowering Staff as Marketers
Like many small, community-based organizations, FCE is powered by hardworking staff dedicated to developing and executing program, and to smooth operation of the nonprofit, but not to marketing it. Graybird designed and produced a comprehensive “starter pack” of critical brand assets including a new website, redesigned business system, and templates for newsletters and invitations. For a period of time following FCE’s new identity launch, Graybird supported FCE staff who conscientiously rebranded several communications vehicles to promote their student-centered programs and the organization in general. With the help of Graybird’s brand identity workshop and detailed brand guidelines, staff members continue to independently create and manage the production of FCE-branded material for both internal and external audiences.