#Nonprofit leaders: Communicating #impact is one of the most important things you need to do in #raisingfunds. #Infographics might just be the tool you need.
#Infographics provide a visual representation of complex information. They are often more effective than a narrative, or at least complementary.
Think about #infographics in a three-part storytelling structure.
1. The magnitude and urgency of the problem
2. What your organization is doing to respond
3. The impact your work is having
You will need a graphic designer, a data visualization expert, access to your data, and access to statistics from the field.
See the example below.
Now you: Have you ever used an #infographic to convey your #impact?
For support in securing more #funding by communicating your impact effectively, contact lpoller@agilefundraisingstrategy.com
#datavisualization
#fundraising
#nonprofts
#nonprofitleadership
Storytelling is Worth a Thousand Words
A story is worth a thousand words.
As a #nonprofit, it is vital to communicate your impact in a compelling way.
#Storytelling should be a part of every nonprofit’s toolkit.
How you use stories can make or break the message.
Although compelling, extraordinary examples may not be representative of the larger work you do.
Consider using #casestories, stories that combine a representative and compelling example of a person or community you have impacted, with empathy, strong emotional resonance, and data.
According to Sue Holloway, case stories a great way to show your beneficiaries' successes—you can show how they felt about the problem you helped them to solve, outline your solution, and show results in easy-to-digest ways including graphs or images.
By combining data with emotional elements, the story can carry the larger picture and context of what you do without losing touch with the main character of the story. End the case story with a powerful call to action.
Now You: Have you ever been moved to act, through a case story you read?
To elevate your #fundraising efforts, contact lpoller@agilefundraisingfundraising.com
#fundraising #nonprofits
Communicating to Funders When There is a Bump in the Road
A #nonprofit secured a $150,000 grant to create Makers Spaces in two public schools in their region, but six months into the grant there was a serious problem. One of the schools had a leadership transition, and could not start the project. How does the nonprofit deal with the #funder so that the #grant is not in jeopardy?
If your organization is pushing its #innovation edge, then this is a likely scenario. Communicating with funders in an open and transparent way is key. Two mindsets are critical to the way you handle this communication...
a Design Thinking mindset and Funder-Partner mindset.
#DesignThinking is about creating a learning culture that works deeply with its intended beneficiaries-- conducting cycles of brainstorming, prototyping, implementing in real-world contexts, evaluating, and refining.
The #FunderPartner mindset enables a nonprofit to bring their funder into the project design work, share your learnings including the challenges and draw on the funder’s expertise to work on adapting your solution.
#Funders appreciate your honest assessment of the risks and challenges. Being part of your design process helps create a new collaborative space to work through the hiccups.
Now You: How have you communicated a bump in the road to a funder or client?
Communicating Your Oranization's Unique Voice
Do you work hard to create polished corporate fundraising materials for your organization? What if you did this one thing instead…
What if you found your organization’s unique voice instead and through it conveyed its specialness?
Think of the memorable organizational voice created in the long-running series “The Office.” There is no question that you are entering a unique world and at the same time get a window into the universal office experience.
Imagine if we captured the unique voice and character of our organization. This might convey to our constituents not only what we do, but the unique way we approach our work. Sharing our organizational voice helps convey our passion, our values.
The show “Schitt’s Creek” features the formerly elite wealthy Rose family, now broke and living in this small town. The characters are all quirky with distinct ways of talking, their urban black and white stylings set against the backdrop of a downtrodden motel where they are now living.
How can your organization be a character in your narrative? This might differentiate you from the many other organizations that do similar work.
What are some memorable organizations you know and what are the ways they express their unique voice?
#fundraising, #nonprofit, #Commnications