Every Answer Had a Different Expert One of the most important lessons I’ve learned about good leadership had nothing to do with marketing. When I started a new management role, I focused on learning the organization. Like anyone in a new leadership role, I spent a lot of time asking questions. I wanted to understand…
Why the Sector Can’t Solve Tomorrow’s Problems With Yesterday’s Practices I read Reimagining Nonprofits and Philanthropy by Vu Le last winter, but a conversation this week reminded me just how relevant it is. I was talking with a colleague about new research projecting the future of human services in Central Ohio. The findings were sobering.…
I’ve been thinking a lot lately about organizational decision-making and how leaders make decisions when the path forward isn’t obvious. No matter what sector you’re in or the type of organization you lead, these are uncertain times. It feels like every decision carries more risk than it used to. Resources are limited. Expectations are high.…
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,…
