Downtown Lexington Partnership: Getting down to downtown
Nonprofits often outgrow their brands. Between leadership changes, fundraising hurdles, and the struggle to maintain meaningful membership, an organization’s identity can easily fall out of step with its mission.
In Lexington, many residents and visitors didn’t realize that the Downtown Lexington Partnership (DLP) was a member-powered organization working behind the scenes to advocate for the city’s heart. Confused messaging made it difficult to attract the specific support needed to thrive.
We partnered with DLP on a brand refresh designed to close the gap between their impact and their identity.
Language. The DLP brand language was misleading and confusing. From their messaging on the website’s homepage to their events to their social media, we helped them develop a consistent tone of voice and vocabulary that accurately reflects their mission and personality.
Visuals. The existing logo held strong brand equity that we didn't want to disrupt. Instead, we sharpened the palette and tightened the design, building a flexible visual system that works across every application — from high-energy events to professional advocacy.
Website. We collaborated with their website partner to design a digital home that makes it easy for members to engage and visitors to find events. The focus shifted from “what to do downtown” (which is more tourism) to "how you can take part.
Results. A more visible, more vocal DLP. By aligning their brand with their work, they now speak with the confidence of an organization that knows exactly what it takes to build a safe, welcoming, and vibrant city center. DLP isn't just managing a district; they are inviting a new generation of members to strengthen Lexington's downtown.
