Why We’re Giving $45,700 to a Chicago Non-Profit
Digital Third Coast was founded in Chicago in 2007 by our two co-founders, George Zlatin & Taylor Cimala. Since then, we’ve grown to a team of 13 – adding 2-3 people each year as the business grows. The backdrop for our success and accomplishments is the City of Chicago; the Windy City, the Second City, the City of Big Shoulders. When DTC started, we had the great fortune to connect with several partners working in similar spaces – web design firms, social media managers, PR agencies, and video production companies, all working towards the same goal of helping our clients grow their revenue. This year, we had the honor of teaming up with some of our agency partners in Chicago Cause. Chicago Cause began 3 years ago as a philanthropic partnership between Orbit Media, Lightspan Digital, and Flanigan Communications, and now includes Digital Third Coast, Bottleneck Management, and ShiftFocus Productions. We are donating web marketing services to deserving nonprofit organizations, including a new website, social media management, SEO, PR consulting, and video production. We are proud to have built and grown our business in Chicago, and excited for the opportunity to give back to those who do the most for our beloved city. 
After receiving 74 applications, we narrowed down our finalists to a Top Ten List, which includes: Build Inc. works in some of Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods to provide at-risk youth with alternatives to gang activity and violence. Direct Effect Charities is a “hands-on” charity that serves children in need through Chicago’s highest poverty public schools. They reach over 15,000 needy children each year through their Letters to Santa and Build a Backpack programs. Deborah’s Place breaks the cycle of homelessness for women in Chicago. Through a continuum of housing options, women succeed in achieving their goals of stable housing, sustainable income and greater self-determination. Family Focus provides after school programming in 29 area schools serving 37,000 children, offering academic enrichment and arts activities as well as positive alternatives to risky behavior, educating youth about their personal responsibilities and boundaries. Math at No Cost provides free math tutoring to students in grades 1 through 5. Their belief is that in helping students build strong math skills they will feel a sense of accomplishment, build self-esteem, and help give them a strong foundation upon which to build future successes. West Town Bike promotes youth social skills and a safe place for urban youth to get educated on the most environmentally friendly urban mode of transportation. Family Rescue has been dedicated to eliminating domestic violence in the Chicago community. Over the past year, they have served 1,517 clients, provided 10,881 nights of safe shelter, 25,496 nights of affordable housing, and answered 2,265 crisis calls. Snow City Arts is a pioneering program that provides arts, cultural, and educational programming to hospitalized children unable to attend school because of serious illness. The Night Ministry is a Chicago-based organization that works to provide housing, healthcare, and human connection to members of our community who are struggling with poverty or homelessness. Food Desert Action (dba) Fresh Moves brings fresh foods at competitive prices inaccessible locations, responding to families who seek to consume more fruits and vegetables and foster healthier lifestyles. Thank you to ALL who applied – creating a Top Ten list proved an incredibly difficult task. As we move into our next round of interviewing our finalists and selecting our winners, we wanted to take the opportunity to thank our partners and our great city for all the support we’ve received over the years that has allowed us to give back. Please join us at our Chicago Cause Event on October 25th to celebrate and mingle with the wonderful non-profit organizations of Chicago! The event is from 6-9pm at Old Town Pour House. Register here!