Global footwear brand Keen this week announced a partnership with Points of Light (POL), an international community-service organization that connects people with 70,000 nonprofits, schools, and local agencies around the world for volunteer work.
Starting this month, Keen is incorporating POS’s database of over 300,000 community service opportunities into its Keen Corps loyalty program. First announced in September, the program rewards customers not just for making purchases, but also for doing good deeds like community service and donating to charity.聽
鈥淲e don鈥檛 think of ourselves as a company that鈥檚 just out there selling stuff,鈥 said Erik Burbank, vice president of The Keen Effect, the brand鈥檚 grant-making program. 鈥淲e think of ourselves as a value-driven brand that wants to do good in the world, and we want to leverage the shared values we have between us and our fans.鈥
Those shared values seem to be helping. Over 11,000 people have signed up for Keen Corps since its September launch. To date, those volunteers have logged over 6,000 service hours, supporting close to 400 service organizations in just two months.
This holiday season, Keen is focused on supporting food banks around the country. With the Points of Light database now integrated into Keen鈥檚 website, customers will be able to easily find opportunities nearby.
鈥淲orking with Points of Light allows us to provide our fans and members of the Keen Corps with the world鈥檚 largest volunteering opportunity hub,鈥 Burbank said.聽
For any outdoor brand interested in adopting a value-driven initiative like Keen Corps, Burbank said he鈥檚 more than willing to offer his perspective and advice.
鈥淚鈥檇 be excited to get on the phone with any company that wants to do the same thing with their fans,鈥 he said. 鈥淭he more good we do collectively, the better off we all are.鈥