Lukewarm, disengaged, uninspired. This is not how you want people to feel about your organization’s values. Many nonprofits, schools, and foundations use a set of single words to express their values. But while words like respect, transparency, and innovation may be ‘accurate,’ these singular words can lack individuality, impact, or definition. They can also unintentionally
Times are changing—rapidly! Are your messages keeping up? The echoes of COVID-19 still linger, the ongoing nationwide reckoning with racism pushes forward, and American politics invite weekly whiplash. Not to mention the number of people changing jobs and cities, resulting in organizational changes whether you want them or not. No matter your organization’s mission, the
As you plan how you want your next year to go, put your values front and center. So many of us who work for value-driven organizations miss the opportunity to think deeply about our personal values and how those may or may not align with our daily reality. We try to separate our personal lives
With Thanksgiving and Winter Break around the corner, your out-of-office email is one simple yet powerful touch-point you can take advantage of to communicate your organization’s brand and values. When we think about where or how we can activate our brand, we often first look towards our formal communications, digital platforms, and fundraising events. But
For your brand to be successful, it must do more than just stand out — it needs to invite in. A strong brand strategy, fresh and relevant messaging, and a true-to-you visual identity are all key steps in drawing more people to your work. And when it’s time to delight your community with your new
In my town, we have a coalition called Community Organizations Active in Disaster. It’s a group of nonprofit and government organizations that is incredibly helpful as we navigate earthquakes, wildfires and, sadly, shootings. It works because each agency knows what makes them different from the others, so when disaster strikes they each have a specific
If your organization has made the serious and authentic commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, it’s time to make sure your communications reflect your mission, vision, and values—and your understanding of the work ahead. Yet it’s not uncommon for even the most committed and well-intentioned communicator to inadvertently reinforce negative stereotypes that perpetuate racism, exclusion,
Brand is just another word for reputation and every organization has one by default, whether or not you manage it well or how your logo looks. Your brand lives in the minds of your audiences. It’s the culmination of their experiences of how you sound, how you look, how you act, and what you do.
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If the pandemic has taught us anything (and surely it has illuminated a lot), it’s to take stock of what’s really important. To strip away the excess and lean into what we value most. For many individuals, it’s a stark reminder of the value of loved ones and community, of kindness and empathy, of equity