In grant proposals, annual reports, and case statements, it’s tempting to list program outcomes as straight statistics: Those numbers matter, but they don’t tell the whole story. In a recent article from Candid, the authors recommend describing a program’s impact using “specific, measurable, time-bound terms to help funders see the difference you’re making.” I agree!…
If you’re leading a mission-driven organization, internal branding for nonprofits isn’t optional. It’s essential. Here’s a startling fact. Only 4 in 10 employees say they know what their organization stands for. Here’s another one. 2 in 10 feel connected to their employer. That’s a problem. It’s also an opportunity. As nonprofit leaders, we talk a…
In this week’s LinkedIn article, I wrote about how nonprofits can rise above today’s uncertainty by anchoring communications in hopeful stories of mission-driven impact. My theory is that nonprofits have a unique opportunity to highlight the positive impact of their daily work (and thereby inspire new support) rather than the steady drumbeat of bad news…
Want to hear something wonderful? People are more generous than we often give them credit for. According to the 2025 Generosity Report from Neon One, donors don’t just give money once. They show up in all kinds of meaningful ways. In fact: That’s powerful. That’s generosity. And it deserves to be celebrated and nurtured. Are…
I may be preaching to the choir here, but I feel like I need to debunk two widespread (and harmful) misconceptions plaguing our society right now. Here they are: 1. Nonprofits are only for “the less fortunate.” AND 2. Charitable giving is about helping someone else. Yes, these things are true, but they’re not the…
Recently, I was talking with a nonprofit leader about marketing. Like so many of us, she was facing a familiar challenge: as a one-woman marketing and fundraising show, how could she possibly manage both traditional and digital communications effectively? She knew her website needed work. She hadn’t updated social media channels in months. But between…
One of the biggest challenges nonprofit leaders face is staying consistent in their brand messaging strategy, especially when content is being created by multiple people across departments, campaigns, and platforms. That’s why I created a resource that I wish I had earlier in my career: this guide to messaging pillars and content templates. This free…
In 2024, something remarkable happened. More than half of nonprofits in the M&R Benchmarks study took intentional steps to understand their audiences. According to the 2025 report (linked) 52% of participating organizations conducted some form of donor research, from surveys to interviews, to learn what really motivates their supporters. It’s hard to believe it took…
For many nonprofits, there comes a point when growth slows. Fundraising feels harder. Outreach starts to stall. You’re doing the work, but the results aren’t what they used to be. It’s not just you. According to the 2025 Nonprofit Acceleration Report from Community Boost, nearly half of nonprofits expect only modest growth this year. That’s…
If you’re a nonprofit leader debating whether to invest in branding, chances are you’ve felt the invisible hand of the Overhead Myth pressing down on your decision-making. The tension between financial prudence and strategic investment is especially intense when it comes to nonprofit branding and the overhead myth. You’re not alone. This myth is one…
