SummerCollab is a nonprofit dedicated to helping kids in Wilmington stay curious, confident, and engaged during the summer. Their programs provide hands-on learning experiences that prevent summer learning loss and foster academic, social, and emotional growth. They partnered with us to create a brand and website that captured their story and showcased their programs. We also designed marketing materials and built digital tools to make their curriculum, donations, and recruitment easier to access and manage.
Scope of Work
- Logo Design & Branding
- Website Design & Development
- Print Material Design
- Meta Ads
- Website Maintenance
Lighting Kids Up About Learning
When SummerCollab first launched, they faced the challenge of sharing their mission and programs with families, community partners, and potential donors. Even early on, the results spoke for themselves: 86.5% of campers reversed summer learning loss, and 40% gained three months or more in learning. Yet many families and partners still hadn’t discovered these opportunities, and the organization needed a way to stand out and connect with supporters. They also wanted to highlight the real impact of summer learning loss and show how their hands-on, year-round programs could help children grow, thrive, and reach their full potential.
A Brand That Shines
Designing the logo was the first step in shaping SummerCollab’s identity. Centered on a light bulb framed by a burst of sunlight, the mark reflects their mission to “light kids up about learning.” It’s a symbol of curiosity, discovery, and the spark of new ideas. The design balances playfulness and purpose, pairing clean, modern typography with a vibrant palette of yellow, orange, and blue that captures the warmth and optimism at the heart of their work.
To help the brand shine consistently across all channels, we developed comprehensive guidelines covering logo use, colors, typography, photography, and iconography. Our team also applied the new branding across print materials, including presentations, flyers, event postcards, and SummerCollab’s yearbook-style annual report.
Digital Tools That Make
a Difference
SummerCollab needed a website their team could easily update and manage without relying on an IT team. Their original donation platform lived off-site, which made it harder to tell their story and show the real impact of giving. We moved that experience into their main website, giving them full control over the content and design. The new page makes giving simple and impactful, with clear tiers that show donors exactly what their support provides, like $20 for a camper’s art supplies.
We also created custom infographics that explain the summer learning gap and highlight how SummerCollab’s outcomes demonstrate why their approach works. Together, these updates help the organization connect their story, impact, and giving opportunities in a way that strengthens their brand and inspires continued support.
Expanding the Brand for Tyler’s Camp
As SummerCollab grew, they launched Tyler’s Camp, a program that brings music, technology, sports, and arts opportunities to Wilmington’s highest-need middle school students. The camp gives kids a chance to explore, create, and discover new passions.
We helped bring Tyler’s Camp to life with a subbrand, marketing materials, and website updates that gave it its own look and voice while staying visually connected to SummerCollab’s identity and mission. We also ran a series of Meta ad campaigns to recruit counselors and reach local families. Over several weeks, the ads reached nearly 118,000 people and generated 762 clicks, with most achieving a cost-per-click below $0.70.
Turning Support
into Success
With a strengthened brand, website, and marketing efforts, SummerCollab was able to reach more families and engage community partners, while connecting with donors in a thoughtful, intentional way. The custom donation platform raised over $20,000 in the first six months, with an average gift of $100. These efforts have helped SummerCollab grow its programs, support more students, and deepen its impact in the community. Today, the organization continues creating meaningful learning experiences for underserved youth, and we’re proud to continue our partnership as they expand their reach and impact year after year.
“First Ascent Design branded SummerCollab, rebuilt our website and curriculum database, and managed much of our print and digital communications for us. Not only am I proud of our new brand and website, but more importantly, I see the impression it makes on donors, camp leaders, teachers, and other stakeholders we engage with. First Ascent are not only experts at what they do but also great people to work with. They took the time to really learn about SummerCollab and the work we were doing before diving in and completing high quality work on time and on budget. I consider them partners that will help us continue to grow in the future.”
Catherine Lindroth
Founder, SummerCollab
