We're back with another special edition of Cause Talk Radio in which we feature a deep dive conversation with one of this year's Halo Award winners.

This episode features the Gold Winner in the Consumer-Activated Corporate Donation category, a partnership between DSW & Soles4Souls.

Megan is joined by Amy Stevenson, Chief Marketing Officer for DSW and Buddy Teaster, CEO of Soles4Souls. They discuss this 10-year partnership and how the partners really doubled down in 2019 to solve a unique business challenge for DSW: how to provide consumers with a way to donate their gently-used shoes so they could make room for new ones in their closet in a way that supported micro-entrepreneurs in developing countries.

They cover how DSW incentivized consumers to donate by providing bonus loyalty points, why it was critical for DSW employees (up to and including the President) to be "all-in" and what actually happens after shoes are donated through this award-winning effort.

Of course, the conversation also includes a deep dive into lessons learned and what's happening with the partnership now, given the pandemic. One thing's for sure: people still want to give back and this initiative provides a simple way to do so that truly comes full circle.

This episode is sponsored by Harbor Compliance. Download their free, online fundraising compliance guide here.

Links & Notes

• DSW Gives Website
• Soles4Souls
• Halo Award Write-Up