Cause Marketing Gallimaufry

A bunch of emails pitching various cause marketing stories have been piling up in my inbox and now it’s time to set them free in a giant gallimaufry.

One Eyed Rhyno, a Sacramento-based teen rock group comprised of brother and sister James (16) and Elaine (18) Hunter and longtime friend, Andrew Daniels (17), have released their single entitled, “The Bird,” inspired by the Exxon Valdez and made newly-relevant by the BP Gulf oil spill. Proceeds from the download of “The Bird” go to The Student Conservation Association.

Bisquick is making $250 grants to qualified nonprofits to put on pancake breakfast benefits. Now in its second year, Bisquick Pancake Nation granted nearly $30,000 last year to more than 100 schools and nonprofits to kickstart their pancake breakfasts.

Lights. Camera. Help., a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate “cause-driven films,” is holding a local event at the Olde North Charleston Picture House in Charleston, South Carolina on September 25, 2010 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available online for a $10 donation and day of at the event.

Monday, October 4 is World Habitat Day, a recognition by the United Nations of the mission of Habitat for Humanity, and a chance to advocate, fundraise, and educate about the need for affordable housing worldwide.

Just in time for the holidays, Greyston Bakery… which makes the brownies for Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream… is teaming with Ben & Jerry’s to introduce its Ultimate Brownie Sundae Kit which includes: ice cream bowls, Do-Goodie Brownies, an ice cream scoop, a recipe card, and a coupon for a free pint of Ben & Jerry's.

Speaking of Ben & Jerry’s, VolunteerMatch.org… which inspired the flavor ‘Berry Voluntary,’ sold exclusively at Target… has issued a challenge to Stephen Colbert, the inspiration for the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor ‘Americone Dream,’ to see who has the better tasting and more popular flavor.

In time for National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October, retailer Kohl’s has released a line of products from Simply Vera Vera Wang priced at $5 and $10 and benefiting the fight against breast cancer. The merchandise is available online and at Kohl’s stores in Wisconsin.

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Part 2: How Chili's Used Cause-Related Marketing to Raise $8.2 million for St. Jude

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