Vision to Execution: Executing CIC’s First End to End Project with Donup
CIC chatted to Micah, Leitch, Founder of Donup, about his journey with CIC, from an initial brand toolkit at the very early stages of the platform’s development, to a full project from brand strategy all the way through to social media templates delivered by a 7 strong volunteer team.
Micah Leitch, Founder of Donup
When Micah first partnered with Creative Impact Club (CIC) over a year ago, Donup—a platform dedicated to connecting individuals and businesses with impactful nonprofit initiatives—was still in its infancy. Pre-revenue, pre-product, and driven by a bold mission to reshape how communities engage with social impact through donations, Donup needed a strong foundation. CIC, with its network of skilled volunteers and commitment to hyperlocal impact, was the perfect match.
“IT SHOULDN’T BE POSSIBLE TO HAVE SEVEN CREATIVE PROFESSIONALS VOLUNTEER AS PART OF YOURR TEAM FOR MONTHS AT A TIME, BUT CIC MADE IT HAPPEN. I REMEMBER TELLING PEOPLE ABOUT THE TEAM, AND THEY’D ASK ‘WHAT ARE THEY GETTING OUT OF THIS?’ BUT CIC’S VOLUNTEERS GENUINELY WANT TO USE THEIR SKILLS FOR SOCIAL IMPACT. THEIR PASSION IS INCREDIBLE.”
“The very first project was with Ben McCabe, who helped us create a brand toolkit,” Micah recalls. “We had the ideas, but we didn’t know how to communicate effectively with the businesses we wanted to target. Ben did an incredible job of distilling everything into a concise, coherent toolkit. It was a game-changer.”
Fast forward a year, and Donup has evolved dramatically. That initial brand toolkit was only the beginning of what would become a transformative relationship with CIC. From refining communication strategies to designing comprehensive social media and UX strategies, all the way to real-time design assets and copy, CIC’s volunteers brought unparalleled expertise to every step of the journey. “We came to CIC with a huge range of challenges,” Micah shares. “Even though the brand toolkit was fantastic, we still had gaps in our strategy, vision, and communication. CIC not only helped us identify these challenges but provided solutions that exceeded anything we could have imagined. From tone of voice guidelines to UX strategies, each project delivered incredible value.”
The process wasn’t just about delivering isolated outputs. CIC’s holistic approach meant aligning various projects to ensure consistency and a shared vision for Donup’s future. Volunteers worked collaboratively, handing off outputs seamlessly and offering actionable recommendations at every stage. “It was end-to-end support,” Micah emphasizes. “Each volunteer brought so much energy, expertise, and motivation. It wasn’t just work for them—they felt like an extension of our team.”
For Micah, a sole founder balancing countless responsibilities, the CIC process was refreshingly collaborative and structured. Weekly calls and regular check-ins kept momentum high, while the volunteers’ adaptability ensured that new insights or changes in direction were integrated smoothly. “CIC’s volunteers were amazing at rolling with the punches,” he says. “They quickly adapted to whatever challenges came up, integrating new priorities into the projects. It was such a seamless experience.”
While each project brought unique insights, Micah points to the Vision, Mission, and Purpose sessions as particularly impactful. “That work became our north star,” he notes. “It’s not just something we reference—it’s something that actively shapes how we operate and communicate.”
The outputs CIC delivered weren’t just theoretical frameworks or distant future plans—they were immediately actionable. Social media strategies and templates, for instance, were implemented almost instantly. “We’ve already seen growth in our audience,” Micah says. “Even small increases in engagement are a win because they help us communicate our mission better. The tools CIC provided have made it so much easier to connect with our users.”
The ripple effect of CIC’s work extended far beyond immediate outputs. “Every project laid a foundation for the future,” Micah explains. “Even the UX strategies are now informing conversations with developers. These aren’t one-off solutions—they’re assets that will grow with us.”
At the heart of Donup and CIC’s collaboration is a deep alignment of values. For Micah, this alignment was critical in building trust—not just in CIC as an organisation, but in the volunteers themselves. “CIC understood our mission from day one,” Micah says. “Even when we were just starting out with limited traction, they believed in what we were trying to achieve. That shared vision made it easy to trust them with such important parts of our journey.”
This trust extended to the volunteers, whose generosity and dedication continually impressed Micah. “It shouldn’t be possible to have seven creative professionals volunteer as part of your team for months at a time, but CIC made it happen,” he says. “I remember telling people about the team, and they’d ask, ‘What are they getting out of this?’ But CIC’s volunteers genuinely want to use their skills for social impact. Their passion is incredible.”
For Micah, CIC’s value extends beyond individual projects. The community itself has become a vital part of Donup’s growth. From hosting Donup’s launch event to fostering connections with local charities, CIC has played a pivotal role in shaping the platform’s direction. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen an initiative like CIC,” Micah says. “They offer so much support, and it all stems from this incredible community of people who share the same values. It’s inspiring.”
Looking ahead, Donup aims to tackle barriers that prevent individuals and businesses from engaging with nonprofits. Whether it’s addressing the misconception that small donations can’t make an impact or simplifying the process for businesses without dedicated CSR teams, Donup is building solutions that drive large-scale change. “We’re still exploring new avenues, but CIC has helped guide us through so much of this process,” Micah says. “The volunteers’ expertise has been invaluable in shaping what comes next.”
Reflecting on his experience, Micah’s enthusiasm for CIC is clear. “I just love it,” he says with a smile. “This sort of initiative—I don’t know why anyone would sleep on it. It’s been instrumental to Donup’s journey, and I’m so grateful for everything CIC and its volunteers have done.” For CIC, Donup’s success story is a testament to the power of collaboration, shared values, and a community dedicated to creating meaningful impact—one project at a time.
Donup makes donating to hyperlocal charities and community groups easy through a simple and accessible platform that gives you total control on how you split your donation. With regular impact reports and a dashboard to see the impact your donations are having, the platform builds trust between local organisations and donors.
Website: www.donup.co.uk