Darby Communications and Status Forward Announce Socially-Driven 2021 Stand Up Initiative

October 15, 2020

Diversity-focused nonprofits eligible for pro bono PR & digital marketing

Asheville, NC – Oct. 15, 2020 – Darby Communications and Status Forward today announced the launch of their 2021 Stand Up Initiative. Previously geared toward nonprofits fighting to protect and preserve our public lands, the Stand Up team is proud to expand their pro bono program to also include nonprofits working to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors. Open to both regional and national nonprofits, the application process will be open now through November 27, 2020.

2020 has made the American public intensely aware of the systemic oppression that the Black community has undergone. This issue of racism has significantly shifted the conversation and climate within the outdoor industry. 2021’s Stand Up Initiative aims to offer PR and digital marketing to select nonprofits with projects that are taking diversity, equity, and inclusion work seriously.

Together Darby Communications and Status Forward are determined to integrate conservation and social justice initiatives by providing an expansive pro bono package of 100 hours over six months to two nonprofits. In their first year of working together, the two agencies have already provided robust support—including media outreach, social strategy, SEO evaluation, keyword research, and more—to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation and the San Juan Mountains Association.

Starting October 15, 2020, the Stand Up Initiative will accept applications for its 2021 program for nonprofits, both regionally and nationally, whose projects fight to protect and preserve our public lands or work to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the outdoors. Two selected recipients will receive the support of Darby Communications’ seasoned PR professionals to assist with media outreach, promotional writing, event planning, and/or social media assessment and ad campaign development. In addition to PR, the nonprofits will receive the expertise of Status Forward’s team for help with design, marketing strategy, keyword research, SEO consulting and editing, website design and development, and more.

“Social injustice has been the catalyst for many conversations here at Darby Communications, and there is a consensus on our team: the preservation of the outdoors and equality efforts must work in tandem for both to be successful,” states agency founder, Coral Darby. “In 2021 we aim to leverage our social capital to instigate positive, enduring change for our Stand Up Initiative partners.”

“We’ve enjoyed working with nonprofits who are focused on conserving our great outdoors, as well as those who are focused on championing and fighting for social justice,” states Status Forward founder, Laurel Scherer. “Our team looks forward to finding intersections between those, and helping the 2021 Stand Up Initiative partners charge forward.”

To learn more about the Stand Up Initiative program or to apply, please visit www.darbycommunications.com/standup. The application deadline is November 27, 2020, and selections will be announced in January.

About Darby Communications

Darby Communications is a boutique PR & digital marketing agency serving the outdoor, fitness, and wellness industries through impactful content creation, media placement, email marketing, and social media management. Headquartered in Asheville, NC with a coast-to-coast portfolio, Darby Communications takes a team approach to everything they do for clients and have worked with many of the outdoor and fitness industries’ most respected companies. Their current client roster includes: 360 Adventure Collective, Appalachian Gear Company, Astral, Feetures, Hyland’s, Ignik, Industrial Revolution, Johnson Outdoors, LifeSaver, Ombraz Sunglasses, Outdoor Economy Conference, Poppy Hand-Crafted Popcorn, Sierra Designs, SylvanSport, Tarpestry, and Wildwater. Learn more at www.darbycommunications.com or follow on social @darbycomm.

About Status Forward

Status Forward is a digital marketing agency that serves organizations that promote, play in, and protect the natural world. They believe that connecting people with the outdoors helps to foster a love for nature — a critical step in protecting the places we share. With offices in Asheville and Durham, North Carolina, Status Forward helps regional and national clients grow their brands through discovery, design, and development. Find out more at statusforward.com and follow them @statusforward.