Creating Our Future with Organizations by Design

I have a greater tolerance for change and risk than many of my colleagues. I'm often the among the first to try a new app or adopt a new strategy. Yet, even I tend to defer to the tried and true in communications.  But perhaps taking safe risks in nonprofit communications is about finding that balance between trying something new and ensuring it aligns with your organization's mission and values. In the world of nonprofit organizations, communication is key. It's how we engage with donors, volunteers, beneficiaries, and the community at large. However, in an era where standing out is increasingly challenging, it's important to explore innovative communication strategies that can set your nonprofit apart. In this blog post, we'll delve into the concept of taking safe risks in nonprofit communications and explore how to do it effectively. 1. Embrace a Culture of Innovation Before you can start taking safe risks in your communication strategies, it's essential to ...

  During a meeting of a cherished Development Committee I work with, the topic of the ‘Spring Ask Letter’ came up.  The meeting leader shared that they were thinking of writing an update of what has happened over the past few months and what was planned for the future. It became clear to me that my colleagues had forgotten that when they were cultivating  donors, they should cultivate. When they’re briefing donors, they should share information. And when they are asking , they should ask .   Let’s review. Here’s the cycle: Cultivation is the period of time following donor qualification (ensuring that they are interested in what your organization does and determining that they might be interested in providing support) where you find out your donors’ passions, motivation and goals for philanthropy. To cultivate, you might offer the donor a variety of engagement opportunities: Inviting donors to connect/ follow the Social Media channels related to the campaig...