(and What You Can Do to Build Their Trust) In 2025, the San Francisco Parks Alliance found itself at the center of a trust crisis after publicly admitting it had diverted at least $3.8 million in restricted donor funds, money earmarked for specific park projects, toward general operating costs instead. The organization’s chair called the […]
In a world where attention is the most valuable currency, nonprofits face the tough challenge of standing out—with fewer resources than their for-profit counterparts. That’s why a growing number of mission-driven organizations are shifting from traditional marketing approaches to something more effective and sustainable: integrated nonprofit marketing. But what does that really mean—and how is […]
In today’s nonprofit landscape, fundraising development officers face mounting pressure to engage donors, meet revenue goals, and deliver impact — all while navigating an increasingly complex environment. Below are 10 of the most urgent challenges they face, along with practical tools that can help address them. 1. Donor Fatigue and Competition As the number of […]
Stepping into the role of a nonprofit development officer is both exciting and challenging. Your ability to build strong relationships with donors, stakeholders, and the community will directly impact your organization’s ability to fulfill its mission. First impressions matter, and how you introduce yourself will set the tone for future collaboration and fundraising success. In […]
Every nonprofit leader strives to have a strong volunteer base and active and engaged board members. And many nonprofit leaders are blessed to have reached that level of success. So, what can you do to make it a reality for your nonprofit? Successful volunteer and board member programs have at least one thing in common. […]
One of the biggest mistakes marketers can make with nonprofit marketing is following a one-size-fits-all strategy. Yes, we are strapped for time. Many nonprofits are working with limited staff. Most are trying to do more with a limited budget. But even with those restrictions, if we don’t create the right kind of marketing, it’s a […]
Years ago, while serving as a board member for a small local nonprofit, I witnessed what frustrates many nonprofit marketers and fund developers. We were in a board meeting, and the CEO introduced the new development officer. After which, the development officer launched into her opening remarks and shared some lofty fundraising and marketing ideas. […]
Every budget planning season nonprofit leaders have a choice to make. Do we spend what we need on overhead expenses? Or, do we spend what looks good? Many choose the latter, but that is neither a wise choice nor a necessary choice. The IRS breaks down a nonprofit’s expenses into three categories: program expenses, administrative […]
Your nonprofit marketing plan is an important first step to creating the face and voice of your nonprofit. All of your collateral, from your website to your brochures, to event flyers, to social media, to emails and everything in between, creates a first impression for your important audiences. Understanding the importance of this crucial first […]
Nonprofits rely heavily on storytelling for business success. We share our stories with board members so they, in turn, can share our important work with their networks. Our stories about our programs and initiatives help prove the outcomes of our efforts to the media, donors, and funders. Stories about our employees help job candidates know what […]
Learn the Marketing Strategy that’s helping nonprofits increase their budget, build strategic business partnerships, and earn more unrestricted revenue. Each year, the Nonprofit Marketing Academy hosts an annual FISH Program where we partner with community-minded businesses to support the educational needs of nonprofit leaders. Our goal with the program is to provide nonprofits with all […]
What’s keeping nonprofit marketing professionals up at night? The challenges of content marketing. The Nonprofit Marketing Academy asked nonprofit marketers what was their biggest content marketing challenge. Strategy, time and capacity took the lead as the top three challenges. Here’s what they shared. Thirty-six percent of respondents struggled with developing a content marketing strategy. Marketers […]
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