Good Miami Project — 5 Years of Pro Bono Storytelling

Miami-Dade's nonprofit sector — hundreds of organizations serving communities across healthcare, education, environment, arts, and social services — lacked access to professional visual storytelling. Most organizations relied on phone photos, stock imagery, or outdated headshots for their marketing, fundraising, and advocacy.

Without compelling visuals, even the most impactful organizations struggled to stand out on Give Miami Day, attract corporate funders, or tell their stories in policy conversations.

Good Miami Project launched in October 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when photographer and RiseWorks cofounder Greg Clark began cold-contacting nonprofits through The Miami Foundation's Give Miami Day directory. What started as a one-photographer passion project grew into a community-wide visual storytelling movement.

Every image was provided free or at cost, with unlimited usage rights — giving small nonprofits marketing assets comparable to those of well-funded national organizations. The initiative expanded into public art campaigns: "Who Is Miami" bus shelter displays reaching 2.5M+ people, IKE Smart Signs delivering 19.1M impressions, and exhibitions at the Arsht Center showcasing 60 photographs of 40 nonprofits.

GMP served as an outsourced visual communications department for organizations that couldn't afford one — providing not just photography but visual strategy and knowledge transfer.

Over five years, GMP delivered 50,000+ photographs to 60+ Miami-Dade nonprofits. The initiative demonstrated impact across five dimensions.

Fundraising: Organizations saw a 45% average donation lift on Give Miami Day. 305 Pink Pack raised $16,765 (167% of goal). Miami Waterkeeper secured a $50K national grant. Florida Immigrant Coalition won a $100K advocacy grant.

Visibility: The "Who Is Miami" transit campaign reached 2.5M+ people at 80+ bus shelters. IKE Smart Signs delivered 19.1M impressions ($438K media value). The Arsht Center exhibition introduced thousands of theater-goers to 40 nonprofits.

Advocacy: GMP images appeared in reports to U.S. Congress, city council presentations, and state legislative hearings. A 10-year-old girl's portrait accompanied Congressional testimony on family separation.

GMP earned the Oolite Arts Ellies Creator Award ($10K) and a Miami-Dade Cultural Affairs Grant. Client satisfaction: 91% rated the experience 5/5 and 100% used photos on social media.

Good Miami Project is the origin story and proof of concept for everything RiseWorks builds.