CreateAthon is a two-day creative marathon designed to deliver professional marketing and design services to nonprofit organizations that could otherwise not afford them. Since its inception in 1998, this event has served more than 1,300 nonprofits, providing more than $100 million in pro bono services. CreateAthon is the brainchild of Riggs Partners, an ad agency in Columbia, South Carolina. TRIO has been the exclusive CreateAthon agency for the Lowcountry since 2007.

Nonprofits apply during the summer and TRIO selects up to five organizations in September to receive one to two pro bono projects. TRIO begins working on a game plan for CreateAthon as soon as recipients are notified. TRIO will work for 24 hours to complete the projects for CreateAthon recipients.

Applications are accepted from any registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in the Lowcountry area. TRIO’s CreateAthon is open to nonprofits from the Myrtle Beach area to Hilton Head. We proudly serve the Lowcountry region of South Carolina.

Starting June 26, nonprofits can click the "Apply" button on this page to fill out our application form! It is optional for nonprofits to submit a 60-second video. If you want to include this, you will be prompted to add a link (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) at the end of the application form. The video should support the need for our services to assist you in making an impact in the community.

Applications for TRIO’s 19th annual CreateAthon are due by 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2024.

Once all applications are received, every TRIO team member will review each application. Each team member ranks their top selections. The entire team meets to select the top four, giving careful consideration to the type of projects requested, the sector served by the nonprofit and the quality of the application. Once the top four are selected, three nonprofits are selected to participate in the People’s Choice award. The People’s Choice nominees are put out for vote to the community. The nonprofit with the most votes becomes the fifth and final winner. Each finalist is required to complete a phone interview.

Yes. Once a CreateAthon recipient is selected, TRIO sets up a time for our team to meet with your nonprofit. If an on-site visit to your nonprofit makes sense for our team to understand what you do, we will plan a field trip for our team. Or your nonprofit will be invited to TRIO’s office. Either way, we definitely meet to learn more about your nonprofit and your marketing needs prior to CreateAthon.

TRIO will host a breakfast for nonprofit recipients the following week after CreateAthon and will present each nonprofit with the work that was developed during TRIO’s 24-hour creative blitz.

Absolutely! We encourage friends, family and our nonprofit winners to drop by during visiting hours.

All work completed during CreateAthon is the property of TRIO and any third parties, such as photographers, illustrators, etc., that contribute to the projects. Native design files are not provided to the recipients.

A representative from the selected organizations must attend the kick-off event, be available to their assigned team throughout CreateAthon (either by phone or email) and attend the presentations after CreateAthon.

Over the years, deliverables have included: marketing plans, logos, brochures, event themes and posters, fundraising material, websites, blogs, mobile apps, press releases, media plans, radio commercials, TV commercials and much more!

Questions about TRIO’s CreateAthon program can we directed to createathon@trio-solutions.com. Thank you for your interest!