Creative
with a conscience.
Intents & Purposes is a Toronto-based creative agency. We help nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations connect with people through culturally relevant, ethically grounded branding, marketing, and communications.
Proud to work with organizations doing
world-changing work.
Who We AreIntents & Purposes is a purpose-driven creative studio combining big agency thinking with the care of a small, senior-led team.
We help organizations find clarity and show up in ways that resonate through strategy, brand, and campaigns grounded in curiosity, equity, and real responsibility to the people they reach.
Our Services
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![Close-up of a woman wearing a blue headscarf, with a background of a rural area. Overlay text states 'Women earn 23%', with the Oxfam Canada logo.]()
Creative Strategy
Before creative can move people, it needs direction. We help organizations find clarity around audience, messaging, and purpose so every decision has a stronger foundation.
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![A promotional graphic for CarbonRun featuring a split design with a mountain river landscape on the right and an abstract blue wave pattern on the left. The right side includes text, 'The force of rivers as a force for change,' with a blue 'Learn More' button and a circular caption stating, 'The freshwater solution to climate change.' The CarbonRun logo, a stylized wave, appears twice.]()
Branding & Identity
A brand is the sum of each impression it leaves behind. We develop brand identities that bring strategy to life through visual and voice systems that are memorable, meaningful, and built to last.
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![Illustration of a dog wearing a vest with 'CNIB' on it, holding a yellow balloon, crossing at a pedestrian crosswalk in an urban park area with trees and buildings in the background.]()
Content Marketing
Every piece of content shapes how people understand your organization. We create content that builds trust, deepens engagement, and supports meaningful connections with the people you serve.
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![Electric vehicle charging station parking lot with murals encouraging electric vehicles and sustainability, including a message saying "You're a changemaker too. Be a part of our legacy in store."]()
Copywriting
Before people can act, they need to understand. We craft clear, effective copy that helps organizations communicate their value, build trust, and inspire action.
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![Three posters for the 'Survivor's Art Project' in Rochester, NY, dated April 3rd, 2026. The posters feature large, bold text with the phrase 'This art' repeatedly, in different colors: teal, dark blue, and orange. A person walking in front of the posters is blurred.]()
Graphic Design
Good design makes complex ideas easier to understand. We create visual communications that help organizations connect with audiences through work that is thoughtful, accessible, and purposeful.
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![Open book showing pages with overlapping blue circles and text reading 'Chapter One Personal Actions'.]()
Advisory
Coaching and advisory services create space to think through complex challenges. Kelly Small supports leaders, creatives, and organizations as they navigate questions about ethics, communications, and creative practice.
Meet the Founder
Award-winning creative director, designer, author, and founder of Intents & Purposes, Kelly Small helps organizations develop high-performing creative rooted in ethics, inclusion, and impact.
Author of the bestselling The Conscious Creative, Kelly’s work spans global brands and nonprofits, and their research has been recognized with a Governor General’s Gold Medal.
Featured.
Photo by Counterprint Books UK
Get a copy of The Conscious Creative at your local bookstore, Indigo, or Amazon and dig into an actionable guide to creating purposeful and industry-changing work.
“We have benefited greatly from their addition to the team…a dynamic crew who bring energy, innovation and integrity to the table while often exceeding on key campaign results. I couldn't recommend them more strongly.”
— Beth Sharpe, Communications Director for World Animal ProtectionQuestions, answered.
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Intents & Purposes is a Canadian creative agency based in Toronto, partnering with nonprofits, agencies, and purpose-led brands across branding, marketing, and communications. Intents & Purposes works across North America.
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Intents & Purposes offers branding, campaign development, communications, and strategic advisory. Work can include positioning, messaging, creative direction, fundraising creative, integrated campaigns, content, and brand expression across channels.
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Yes. Intents & Purposes works with nonprofits, charities, and other mission-driven organizations looking for thoughtful, effective creative rooted in strategy, ethics, and impact.
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Intents & Purposes partners with nonprofits, cultural organizations, agencies, institutions, and purpose-led brands. The common thread is a commitment to meaningful work and a high bar for creative quality.
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Intents & Purposes brings bespoke teams, strategy, ethics, and creative judgment together. The work is designed to look strong, perform well, and to reflect deeper care around representation, accessibility, trust, and long-term impact.
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Get in touch through the contact page with a few details about your organization, goals, timeline, and scope. From there, we can recommend the right next step.