TrailBlaze Creative

09/02/2026

The Pennsylvania Association of Councils of Governments (PACOG) just wrapped its second annual conference, and we spent it right in the middle of the room.

We designed and facilitated PACOG's networking session this year, working alongside Eric Macadangdang from Community Project Hub of SWPA (CoHub), a fellow TrailBlaze client we rebranded earlier this year. Most of the thirty municipal leaders in the room didn't know each other going in, so the brief was simple: get strangers actually talking within minutes.

We built the session on three ingredients — physical movement, a soundtrack that made the transitions fun instead of awkward, and prompts specific enough to spark a real conversation instead of small talk. The room got loud fast. Posters filled with sticky notes. People who'd never met were mid-conversation within a minute of sitting down. That's the reaction we're chasing every time we design an event: real participation.

We also spent the week at our booth talking with COGs from around the state, and watching PACOG's second conference outgrow its first was its own kind of proof. Branding is the foundation an organization keeps building on, long after we've handed off the files.

Communication, on purpose.

09/02/2026

✨ Mission Moment ✨

Out-of-School Time isn't just about what happens after the final bell. For many kids, it means stepping onto the field. Continuing our series celebrating the organizations empowering the next generation, we turn the spotlight on Quaker Valley Recreation Association (QVRA)!

Their mission? To support youth athletic programs in and around the Quaker Valley School District area.

QVRA gives kids the chance to play baseball, softball, lacrosse, and soccer with a focus on building confidence, teamwork, and healthy habits that go far beyond the game.

Visit QVRA's website for more information here: https://www.qvra.org/

09/01/2026

Join us at the Columbus Metropolitan Library on September 16 for Stronger Together, a free event designed to connect nonprofits with resources, expertise, and community necessary to to amplify their impact.

We are thrilled to share that our own Erin Sogal will be leading Finding Your Audience: Building Community-Centered Outreach from 10 a.m. to noon. Expect to learn practical strategies for identifying your audience, strengthening your outreach, and building meaningful connections that support your mission.

Whether you’re trying to grow your organization’s audience or connect with fellow nonprofits in the community, this is an event you don’t want to miss. We would love to see you there!

08/27/2026

A social media post can look great, get likes, and still miss the mark. So, what actually makes a post work in the nonprofit world?

Our latest blog post by Vivian Fannon breaks down the steps behind creating social content that does more than fill your feed: from identifying your goal and audience to crafting a message that actually connects.

Good social media isn’t just about what you post. It’s about communicating with purpose. Find out how to turn your next post into a meaningful piece of communication.

Social media can be challenging to navigate. Specifically in the nonprofit world, it can be hard to reach the desired engagement or gain necessary traction. Social media is integral to nonprofits’ scope and audience, and having platforms that are performing poorly can be fatal to an organization.....

08/26/2026

Find out who you are + do it on purpose.
// Dolly Parton

08/26/2026

✨ Mission Moment ✨

Out-of-School Time comes in many forms, and for Scouts across southwestern Pennsylvania, it means learning leadership, integrity, and outdoor skills that last a lifetime. This week, we celebrate Laurel Highlands Council, Scouting America as part of our series on organizations empowering the next generation.

Their mission? To prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

As southwestern Pennsylvania's foremost regional organization providing Scouting programs for youth ages 6-18, Laurel Highlands Council builds future leaders through hands-on experiences, community service, and time outdoors — turning free time into time well spent.

Learn more about Laurel Highlands Council here: https://lhcscouting.org/

08/25/2026

There's still time to apply to the Institute at Disability Lead. The Institute is the only leadership program in the nation specifically for leaders with disabilities, connecting them to opportunities for civic engagement and leadership.

As a disability-owned firm, TrailBlaze continues to look for ways to bring professionals with disabilities together to network with each other and encourage one another in their careers. If you are, or you know, someone with a disability who needs the support of a network, apply to the Institute today: https://www.disabilitylead.org/apply

The application deadline is September 9. If you're in need of a nomination, please send us a note. We’d love to support you!

“This has been a game changer. I’m not alone in my goals for improved access in Chicago..” ~Fellow, Chicago 2026 Institute cohort

Are you an emerging or established leader who is eager to explore your disability identity and develop your own leadership style among a group of committed peers? Do you live or work in the Chicago area or Southwestern Pennsylvania? Applications for the Institute, a year-long fellowship with Disability Lead, are open! www.disabilitylead.org/apply

08/24/2026

We’re excited to be back at the Columbus Metropolitan Library for another round of practical, mission-focused marketing sessions designed to help nonprofits communicate with more clarity, creativity, and impact.

Here are a few of the events that Erin will be participating in:
Sept. 16 — Stronger Together
Sept. 23 — Campaigns with Purpose
Oct. 13 — Marketing for Mission
Oct. 28 — Marketing Support for Nonprofits
Dec. 2 — Marketing Support for Nonprofits

Whether you’re looking to strengthen your strategy, build a more purposeful campaign, or get hands-on marketing support, we’d love to see you there!

Keep an eye out for more details and join TrailBlaze Creative at the library.

08/21/2026

Back-to-school season is a great reminder that growth never stops. At TrailBlaze, we’re sharing our “What’s in a Marketer’s Bag?” series to pull back the curtain on the tools that help us turn strategy into real-world impact for our clients. Because we believe a clear, compelling brand is the backbone of how an organization shows up in the world, every essential in our bag is chosen to support that clarity, credibility, and consistency.

We want to know what’s in your toolkit! Which of our essentials resonates most with your own process? Drop a comment below and tell us what helps you show up ready for the work that matters.