Devon Community Foundation

Devon Community Foundation - A Future-Ready Identity for a Progressive Charity

Brand identity
Branding Strategy
Brand Messaging
Brand Naming

Devon Community Foundation needed a brand and strategy fit for the future—one that moved beyond outdated charity sector associations of paternalism, inefficiency, and arms-length philanthropy. At the same time, the new identity had to honour the past, recognising the legacy of local altruism that underpins existing networks and relationships.
The goal was to create a future-focused, community-led model where local people have greater say, agency, and capability. A model that not only surfaces and addresses inequalities but also enables Devon’s voluntary sector to tackle structural challenges through both advocacy and action.

The ambition was clear: to establish Devon Community Foundation as a leading progressive agent of change, both within Devon and across the wider community foundation network.
We believe that future-ready brands must have strong foundations, built on deep insight into organisational strategy, audience needs, and cultural truths. Our approach centred on developing a brand idea that would act as the foundation for the new verbal and visual identity—one that connects back to strategy and forward to impactful communications and behaviour.
To achieve this, we:
- Reviewed and refined the existing strategy to align with the organisation’s ambitions.
- Crafted a clear and compelling mission, vision, and values framework.
- Developed a bold brand idea to sit at the heart of the identity.
- Established key messages and a manifesto that articulate the foundation’s purpose and impact.
With this strategic foundation in place, we built a dynamic visual identity—logo, colour palette, typography, and graphic language—that delivers the distinctiveness, resonance, and usability required for a modern and impactful charity brand.
Our collaborative approach ensured that we harnessed the strengths of both teams, combining Devon Community Foundation’s deep local knowledge and strategic expertise with our creative and branding experience. The result is a brand that is both locally rooted and forward-thinking, designed for maximum impact and engagement.

The Outcome

We know that an industry-disrupting, mission-led brand is not looking to blend in. We created a bold, The new brand is bold, bright, and unapologetically modern—outspoken, confident, and action-focused. It reflects the energy and diversity of Devon’s communities, from farmers and fishermen to students and artists.

The messaging and visual identity are built around key principles:

Participation – Placing active involvement at the core of all initiatives.
Ownership – Treating audiences as stakeholders, fostering collaboration over top-down communication.
Transparency – Inviting communities behind the scenes, reinforcing a sense of shared ownership.
Inclusion – Ensuring accessible and open communication for all.

At the heart of the brand is a guiding idea: a force for change that belongs to the community. This is powerfully reflected in the new nameplate, We Are Devon—a declaration of shared ownership and collective impact. More than just a name, it encapsulates the foundation’s proud, participatory spirit and its commitment to celebrating and empowering Devon’s communities.

This rebrand positions Devon Community Foundation as a modern, progressive force for change, ready to drive meaningful impact for years to come.