Downtown Retailers Unveil New ‘Compassion Coupon’ Program
Shoppers Support Homeless Center Through Online and Mobile Coupons
PORTLAND, OR, July 5, 2011 - This July and August, shoppers can enjoy exclusive discounts at downtown Portland businesses and also have the satisfaction of helping those in need with “Compassion Coupons.” The program, which officially launched on July 1, is a collaborative partnership between the Downtown Marketing Initiative, the Clean & Safe District, the Portland Business Alliance Charitable Institute, Forkfly.com and more than 15 downtown restaurants and retailers. Shoppers view and print Compassion Coupons for deals and bonuses at participating downtown businesses — for every coupon redeemed, $5 will be donated to the Bud Clark Commons in downtown Portland.
“This campaign is all about encouraging shoppers to give smarter,” said Courtney S. Ries, Director of the Downtown Marketing Initiative. “Retailers and businesses downtown want to provide a venue for shoppers to give to our at-risk and homeless population, but in a way that lets consumers know where their money is going.”
Based on the number of coupons redeemed, up to $10,000 will be donated to the Bud Clark Commons, a downtown center that provides vital resources, shelter and housing placement services to individuals and couples experiencing homelessness in Portland. This donation is funded by the Portland Business Alliance’s Charitable Institute, in partnership with the Clean & Safe District.
Using the Compassion Coupon program is simple: shoppers visit DowntownPortland.org for a link to Forkfly.com, where they can select and print coupons from downtown retailers. Additionally, a Forkfly.com smartphone app allows shoppers to download the deals to their iPhones or Androids and simply show them to the retailers. Participating stores are displaying a special Compassion Coupon window decal, making it easy for shoppers to identify which merchants are participating in the program. Coupon offers vary by merchant, but here is a sampling of some of the deals:
- Oregon Ballet Theatre : 2 for 1 Nutcracker tickets
- Crafty Wonderland: Get a free Crafty Wonderland Scout Book with a $25 purchase or a free Crafty Wonderland brand tote bag with a $75 purchase
- Lucky Spoon Frozen Yogurt: Buy one, get one free
- Woonwinkle: 15% off anything in the store
- Tender Loving Empire: 20% off one item
- TartBerry: 20% off frozen yogurt
- Flora: $5 off a $25 purchase
For more information on the Compassion Coupon program, please visit www.downtownportland.org.
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About the Downtown Marketing Initiative:
The Downtown Marketing Initiative is a public-private partnership created and funded by the City of Portland and its partners that is dedicated to promoting the long-term vitality of downtown Portland. Since its inception in 2006, the Downtown Marketing Initiative has successfully supported downtown during a period of intense redevelopment and has become a critical economic stimulus tool in the current financial climate. For more information, visit www.downtownportland.org.
About the Portland Business Alliance’s Charitable Institute:
The Alliance’s Charitable Institute serves as an umbrella organization and provides administrative services for other nonprofits that align with the Alliance mission. One of the nonprofits under the Alliance is the Kevin Montgomery Smith Fund. This fund was founded after the untimely death of Alliance staff member Kevin Montgomery Smith, who was a dedicated advocate for downtown’s central city and the homeless population.
About the Clean & Safe District:
Downtown’s Clean & Safe District was created more than 20 years ago to support additional cleaning and security in the central city. The district, funded by downtown property owners and managers, includes 213 blocks in the central city, and also supports market research and retail recruitment and retention efforts. The district is managed by the Portland Business Alliance under the direction of the district’s board of directors. For more information, visit www.portlandalliance.com.
About Forkfly:
Forkfly is a marketing and promotional platform for publishers that benefits customers and merchants. Merchants can leverage social media networks, mobile technologies and a creative distribution strategy to find new customers, engage customers and build brand loyalty. Customers use Forkfly to find and redeem deals, perks, rewards, and other incentives from hundreds of merchants "on the fly." For more information, visit www.forkfly.com.
About Bud Clark Commons/Transition Projects:
Transition Projects and its partners at the Portland Housing Bureau, Home Forward and Multnomah County recently opened the Bud Clark Commons, an innovative project that helps people end their homelessness. Transition Projects operates a day center at the Bud Clark Commons that connects people to resources to end their homelessness and a short-term residential program for 90 men. The building is anticipated to be the first LEED Platinum project of its type in the country. For more information, visit www.tprojects.org.
