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The Community Roots Project

Since 1986, MK Community Foundation has been supporting charities, community groups, and local causes across Milton Keynes, helping them create real, lasting change for the people who need it most.

So, when their 40th anniversary came around, it needed to feel like more than a milestone. It needed to celebrate four decades of local impact, while shining a light on the people, projects, and places that make Milton Keynes what it is.

Having worked with MKCF before on their Rainbow Fund campaign, we were chuffed to be asked to develop the creative for their very special anniversary celebrations and the launch of their latest initiative with BBC Three Counties Radio, distributing 40 £1,000 grants to community groups, charities, CICs and sports clubs across MK.

Taking inspiration from MKCF’s existing identity, we created The Community Roots Project. A campaign built around the idea of rings and roots, each ring representing 40 years of growth, consistency and fairness, and each root representing the connections MKCF has helped nurture across the city.

The project included a bespoke 40th anniversary logo, campaign naming, visual identity and a suite of flexible brand assets that could be rolled out across multiple channels while keeping the central story intact.

From leaflets and social graphics to postcards, lanyards, presentation materials and even a rather lovely little acorn pin, naturally, we’re very fond of anything nut related, the campaign gave MKCF a warm, meaningful and memorable way to mark the occasion.

Launched at the 40th Anniversary Charity Awards, the creative helped bring the story to life for guests from across the city. A fitting celebration for an organisation that has spent four decades helping brilliant local causes grow from tiny acorns into something much bigger.

“We’ve worked with Nutshell on several projects over the years. We keep coming back to them because of their clarity of thinking and how easy they make the whole process and wow – they delivered again! They really took the time to understand the project and the whole context around it and absolutely nailed it on the first try.” – Lucy Roberts, Milton Keynes Community Foundation

Services Included:
Campaign Conception
Visual Identity
Design and Artwork