Four years ago, I made the decision to leave nonprofit marketing leadership and build a business focused on helping organizations tell their stories more clearly and effectively. Recently, I had the opportunity to reflect on that journey as a brand strategist and storyteller in an interview with VoyageOhio. We talked about the experiences that shaped…
A donor attends a gala and feels deeply inspired by the people who bravely shared their stories on stage. They feel a strong connection to the mission. They see the passion of leaders and staff. The organization appears to be creating meaningful impact in a community they care deeply about. Before leaving the event, they…
NOTE: I’m reposting this case study because it’s a clear reminder that brand is not static. When public perception shifts in a meaningful way, organizations have to respond. The transition from the Boy Scouts of America to Scouting America reflects what it looks like to confront negative perception head-on, rather than work around it. This…
This week, I read a recent piece from Candid about the dreaded overhead myth titled Changing the nonprofit narrative: Debunking the overhead myth (again). Two thoughts came to mind right away. First, how are we still having this conversation? At this point, the pattern is clear. Lower overhead has never been the thing that drives…
Webinar Recording and Slides Many nonprofit leaders feel an immediate resistance to the idea of branding–what I often call the “ick factor.” It can feel too corporate, too commercial, or disconnected from the heart of mission-driven work. But in reality, brand is simply how your mission is understood, trusted, and acted on. It’s organizational asset…
A recent article from Candid highlights a growing public misunderstanding about nonprofit funding — a shift that is already influencing nonprofit brand perception across the sector. Many Americans are unaware that a significant number of nonprofits rely heavily on government funding. They may also not realize that federal budget cuts in the past year have…
Nonprofit growth rarely stalls because of a lack of passion.It stalls when stakeholders do not clearly understand your impact.When that happens, it is often a sign that your brand foundation needs greater clarity and alignment. This free 3-minute Brand Clarity Self-Assessment Tool helps nonprofit leaders identify branding gaps that may be slowing fundraising, weakening awareness,…
NOTE: This is an update of a 2024 blog post. Why Nonprofit Brand Consistency Matters A consistent nonprofit brand is not simply a marketing exercise. It shapes how people understand, trust, and support your organization. Your brand directly influences: Research continues to show that organizations with consistent brand presentation see measurable benefits. Studies have found…
In my last blog post, I wrote about what happens when a nonprofit CEO or ED sounds like everyone else. When messaging from executives blends in, your organization blends in. The work may be strong. The mission may be urgent. But the positioning becomes harder to see, and supporter confidence can diminish because they can’t…
In my recent articles, I’ve been exploring what happens when nonprofits sound alike. When you’re strapped for time and working without a real communications budget, it’s tempting to borrow language from larger organizations in your sector. To reuse digital assets. To echo phrases that seem to be working elsewhere. But when you try to sound…
