All in on inclusion.

For over 50 years, Melwood has been a trailblazer in creating a more inclusive world. As the nation’s leading employer, advocate, and provider for people with disabilities and their caregivers, Melwood’s mission has grown far beyond its horticultural roots. However, with this growth came challenges. Melwood’s multifaceted nature—spanning advocacy, employment services, and community programs—made it difficult for audiences to understand the organization’s full scope. Different audiences had different needs, and Melwood’s communications often struggled to tell a cohesive story. The organization needed a straightforward narrative and a system to differentiate its parent entity from its divisions while maintaining a unified identity.

It all starts with a foundation.

At the heart of Melwood’s transformation is a powerful brand idea: “We’re all in on inclusion.” This signature concept encapsulates Melwood’s mission and serves as a guiding principle for its messaging, design, and strategy. It’s a scalable idea that seamlessly integrates into thought leadership, marketing, and campaign efforts, reinforcing Melwood’s commitment to inclusivity.

In terms of feedback, this is the best we have looked in 60 years. Our assets are cleaner and more engaging, donors are more interested in our strategic plans and annual reports, our brand is more consistently expressed, our websites have more than tripled in views, and social media continues to grow 10% month on month.

Jewelyn Cosgrove
VP of Government & PR, Melwood

Creating clear communications.

To address the challenge of clarity, Melwood introduced a new organizational structure: Melwood, Inc., supported by two primary divisions—Melwood Enterprises and Melwood Community Services. This structure allows each division to focus on its unique strengths while aligning under the parent brand’s mission. Melwood Enterprises is dedicated to employer services and solutions, while Melwood Community Services focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities through community programs. By giving each division a distinct look and feel, Melwood ensures that its diverse initiatives are communicated effectively to clients, funders, and internal teams, all while maintaining a cohesive identity under the parent brand.

The 5-Year Strategic Plan

We designed and developed a comprehensive five-year strategic plan for Melwood, aimed at advancing their mission of inclusivity and empowerment for people with disabilities. This plan outlines five key priorities: elevating inclusive and accessible opportunities, leveraging data to drive innovation and excellence, fostering groundbreaking programs and partnerships, leading national conversations on disability policy, and ensuring operational excellence through strategic investments in people, processes, and technology. By breaking down these objectives into actionable steps, we provided Melwood with a bold roadmap to expand their impact, address systemic barriers, and position themselves as a leader in creating a more inclusive world.

A Scalable Look and Feel

The new visual identity is designed to scale across all divisions and touchpoints. Curved frames and backgrounds add visual energy while nodding to the logo’s design. Each division is assigned a distinct primary brand color, creating differentiation while maintaining unity. Built around the monogram, the design is friendly and approachable, speaking to diverse audiences with warmth and clarity. This scalable design system ensures that Melwood’s brand remains consistent and impactful across devices, platforms, and materials.

What's next for Melwood?

Melwood’s rebranding is more than a visual update—it’s a strategic evolution that reinforces its mission of inclusivity. Through a collaborative partnership with Contrast & Co., Melwood has transformed its brand and strategic vision, creating a fresh, modern identity that reflects their mission and future aspirations. Together, the teams rebranded Camp Accomplish, developed a cohesive family of brands for their reorganization, and redefined how Melwood communicates its impact. The results speak for themselves: tripled website views, consistent month-on-month social media growth, and increased donor engagement. This partnership exemplifies what can be achieved through shared vision and teamwork, laying a strong foundation for Melwood’s continued success and impact.