Opinion BY Armin

I’ll Toast to That. Not.

Established in 1924, Toastmasters International (TI) is a non-profit educational organization that teaches public speaking and leadership skills. TI currently has more than 270,000 members in over 13,000 clubs in 116 countries. Among its notable alumni are actors Leonard Nimoy and Tim Allen, but it helps people in any profession and walk of life to gain competence in communication that, in turn, gives them the confidence to lead others. In August TI introduced a new identity, the first change in 70 years.

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Opinion BY Armin

Brewing one for the Homies

Established in 1978 in Boulder, CO, the American Homebrewers Association (AHA) is “dedicated to promoting the community of homebrewers and empowering homebrewers to make the best beer in the world.” It counts with 27,000 members. The AHA also publishes a bimonthly magazine, Zymurgy, and holds both a national-level homebrewers conference and competition. In turn, the AHA is a division of the Brewers Association, a “not-for-profit trade association dedicated to promoting and protecting amateur and professional craft brewers.” So: small, beer, awesome. Earlier this month the AHA introduced a new logo designed in-house.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Bicycle Transportation Alliance

Established in 1990, the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) is a “non-profit membership organization working to promote bicycling and improve bicycling conditions in Oregon and SW Washington”, most popularly in the bike-loving city of Portland. New logo designed by local firm North. More story here.

Thanks to John Lascurettes for the tip.

A B-Side BY Armin

Preservation Alliance of Minnesota

Established in 1981, the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is a nonprofit organization “advocating for the preservation of Minnesota’s historic resources.” Its original logo, we are told, was not crystal clear what it was. What it was: a drawing from a terra cotta tile on the Saint Paul Building in Saint Paul, Minnesota, one of the first buildings that the Preservation Alliance of Minnesota held an easement on. A new, much clearer logo, was introduced earlier this year. Press release here.

Opinion BY Armin

Not Your Parents’ Veterans

Established in 2004, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) is the first and largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization in the U.S. for veterans of its most recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Its mission is to “improve the lives of this country’s newest generation of veterans and their families.” IAVA counts with 200,000 members — membership is free as they note that its members have “already paid [their] dues in Iraq and Afghanistan.” This week IAVA introduced a new identity designed pro bono by Landor.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Youth Service America

Founded in 1986, Youth Service America (YSA) “improves communities by increasing the number and the diversity of young people, ages 5-25, serving in substantive roles.” Their goals are to “Educate youth, teachers, community organizations, media, and public officials in the power of youth as problem solvers.” and “Engage children and youth as volunteers, as academic achievers, and as community leaders.” A new identity has been created by Redding, CT-based Alexander Isley Inc.. More on the new identity here.

A B-Side BY Armin

Mothers Against Drunk Driving

Founded in 1980 Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is the largest non-profit in the U.S. working to protect families from drunk driving and underage drinking. A new logo was introduced this month. Press release here.

Thanks to Roy Levitt for the tip.

Opinion BY Armin

New Voice for Voices of Youth

Established in 1995 by UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund), Voices of Youth is a global initiative that aims to give young people, ages 10 to 25, not a just a place to voice their opinions on but to learn about topics like major social issues, such as the environment, HIV and AIDS and human rights. A new identity for Voices of Youth has been designed by Brooklyn-based Hyperakt.

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Opinion BY Armin

Global Weave

Established in 1965 in New York as the Foundation for the South Pacific (FSP) by an Australian actress named Elizabeth Silverstein and a Marist Priest named Stanley Hosie, the nonprofit organization focused initially on helping the island nations of the South Pacific rebuild after World War II. Renamed Counterpart International (CI) in 1992 after bringing its mission — “to empower people to implement innovative and enduring solutions to social, economic and environmental challenges” — to aid after the fall of the Soviet Union. Since then, with over 300 people currently on staff and now headquartered in Arlington, VA, it has helped people in 65 countries in three key areas: economic development, food security and nutrition, and building effective governance and institutions. This month CI introduced a new identity designed by Seattle, WA-based Kite.

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A B-Side BY Armin

Nostrand Park

Nostrand Park is “a virtual-placemaking organization committed to fostering continued arts, community and commercial development in Crown Heights [Brooklyn].” Designed pro-bono by WireMedia, the project was part of DesigNYC that pairs designers with non-profits for different ranges of projects.