Giving Our Pro
Bono Model a Refresh
Redefining how we build, grow, and serve our communities to help shape a better future.
The Program's History
Since 2021, we've partnered with incredible organizations like BankBlackUSA and BlankSpace through our pro bono program Build, Grow, Serve. With each opportunity, we've used design and technology to reimagine websites, brand strategies, and digital experiences to help these mission-driven businesses grow for the future.
This year, we saw a unique opportunity to partner with longtime friends Stephen Green and Jelani Memory of Vanport Studio, whose mission is to provide mentorship and support to help entrepreneurs scale their businesses. Through our shared vision and resources, we could amplify our impact, spark innovation, and drive meaningful change for the BIPOC founders here in Portland.
Pitchblack 2015
Introducing Build Week
3 business briefs + 3 Instrument teams + 3 days of collaboration. More than just a hackathon-style event, this was a dynamic collaboration with Vanport Studio to accelerate businesses and shape a better future.
Leveraging Instrument’s expertise, we paired three multidisciplinary teams that showcased our vertical service offerings — Brand, Marketing, and Product — with three Portland-based BIPOC-owned businesses. Our teams converged at Instrument HQ from all over the United States for three days of immersive in-person workshops with our founders. Through strategic support and collaboration, the teams worked together to address key challenges and unlock each brand’s potential.
Meet the Brands
Led by the fearless Nikki Guerrero, Hot Mama Salsa is known for its handmade Mexican-style salsas, hot sauces, chili oils & tortilla chips — all made locally in Oregon. After opening a new production space, they were looking to up-level their web presence and brand for broader reach.
Upon reflection of the experience, I was very surprised at how much this is going to impact personal growth for me. I have been running a small business for so long, wearing all of the hats that I don't often get the opportunity to see what it is like to see the results that are possible when you work with a professional team and skilled collaborators.
The Results
With Hot Mama Salsa, we created 3 fully designed web pages, 12 additional annotated wireframes, 30-page content and copy strategy doc, and 8 animations.
With Pacmodo, we created a fully defined brand platform, 90+ day marketing campaign, and 14 activations.
With Camp Yoshi, we created a fully defined product expression of “Trips to Nowhere and built 1 built-out microsite, 1 fully designed landing page, and 1 product marketing page for past and new campers.
In just three days, each founder left with tangible resources to accelerate their business, and each employee left with a deepened connection to their peers and their work. This experience underscores our ongoing commitment to growth, strategic partnerships, and investing in our local communities. It’s a reminder of how we can live out our values and shape a better, more impactful future. And luckily, we're just getting started…
Being able to provide best-in-class creative and strategy work to Black and brown founders is crucial. Instrument has helped Vanport offer these small businesses and entrepreneurs what they really need and at the highest
level of quality.
