Total Spark
by Empower Work
I led a pilot CSR program for working students that culminated in 15 events with 5 non-profits in 3 cities, testing my ability to operationalize an idea and manage many stakeholders to shape an initiative.
Activities
RFP Process, Pilot Program Operations, Grantee Roundtable Learning, Community-Centered Design, Future Program Design
Outcome
15 events for working students in pilot year across five grantees, program design for 2026
Issue Area
Vulnerable Workers, Mental Health
Geography
Chicago, Dallas, Detroit
Length
1+ years
Visit the Total Spark Website Here
Empower Work, a nonprofit supporting vulnerable workers through a peer text line, launched a pilot initiative with Verizon’s Responsible Business team to support working students in Chicago, Dallas, and Detroit. As a fast growing brand, Total Wireless wanted to explore if local stores could be community hubs for working students through intentional programming and support.
The team brought me on to manage the initiative and ground it in a learning mindset. I oversaw all aspects of the pilot from setting the learning agenda to initial marketing to RFP selection process to supporting the five nonprofit grantees in launching local events for working students. This project tested my operational know-how, along with my strategic lens to shape the program direction for future years through community-centered design, all while juggling the needs of multiple stakeholders. I worked fractionally for Empower Work for over a year to launch this pilot.
We exceeded goals for interest in our community webinars and applications for the first-time grant. We selected five organizations across three target cities and successfully ran 15 events in the pilot year. And we learned an incredible amount about the needs of working students, about community events in corporate spaces, and about our role as a convening partner in a complex initiative. Details TBD for 2026!
