Based on data from 2016’s Fundraising Effectiveness Project, non-profits saw a small rise in revenue (5.3%) and donors (2.0%) in 2015. Despite that, bigger increases are something non-profits with empty pockets would welcome.
One way to do this is to make sure that your web and marketing strategy, a cornerstone of donor and stakeholder engagement, is keeping up to date with the latest. So, what, then, are the current non-profit digital trends?
Email marketing is by far one of the most effective ways to reach a large audience in a manner that’s engaging and effective.
Emails are highly personal by nature and have a very good open rate compared with other forms of marketing. Many bloggers and marketing experts will tell you that email marketing is one of the most important ways to develop a relationship with an audience and eventually to generate sales – and it can be equally as useful for non-profit organizations too.
It’s a shame then that many campaigners don’t make better use of email marketing, and that it is less well-understood than other options such as search engine optimization or social media. Read on, then, for ten powerful tips that will help you increase the impact of your email marketing. Continue Reading
When you created your non-profit organization, you had a vision of what you hoped to accomplish, whether through advocacy, advancement or man power. With a fiery passion, you set out to do good and right by your cause.
You probably figured that your core audience would be much like yourself, so without any additional research, you went forth to raise awareness! Continue Reading
If you work for a non-profit or advocacy organization, it is likely the time of year you work on your annual report, which will be shared with donors, members and constituents.
They’re important. Annual reports can highlight what your organization has accomplished during the year through various events and activities, how much money you raised, how the money was spent, give you the opportunity thank all of your supporters, and to appeal for additional donations. But, while they’re important, they’re usually also quite boring.
In order to stand out, and make sure your constituents can read and understand the important information, consider adding these five features to your annual report print design:
Photos
When it comes to talking about the impact your non-profit organization has made over the course of the year, you should use photos and testimonials from your supporters. Sharing their stories will go further than simply listing out past events and activities.
Charts
Financials are generally a tedious topic, but it is important to mention them in your annual report.
One obvious solution is to use a colorful chart to visualize how funds were allocated, or a graph to show a trend. Make sure you communicate key financial or other numerical information in a way which is not only engaging, but which prioritizes the most important figures and helps you tell the story you want to tell about where your organization is headed.
Infographics
Think about putting together an infographic with the organization’s summary of the past year.
This is becoming a more and more popular way to communicate important information, especially if you opt for a non-traditional annual report via email or microsite. Make it colorful and use icons, arrows, charts, and photos to bring the year alive all in one graphic.
Simplicity
Your print design should be quite simple. You don’t want to bombard people with too much text, as space is limited. Use it as a way to get the highlights of year out there, and point them in the direction of where they can learn more about your organization.
Video
Create a video about your year in review. This is an ever-growing way to engage current and prospective supporters.
The video can either be a series of slides with all of the usual reporting information and photos of events, or you can record testimonials and other engaging narration. You’re sure to catch attention with this innovative way to send out an annual report.
Whether you’re a non-profit organization looking for a website design or annual report, we’re here to help you empower and engage.
When a non-profit’s website fails to realize its potential, whether at gaining donations or advocacy for a cause, it’s time for a redesign.
So, how do you put your best foot forward? Let’s look at 5 keys to consider when redesigning a website. Continue Reading
Over the last several years, social media has become an essential part of any business’s marketing plan. Initially, small companies saw Facebook or Twitter as cost-free ways to generate visibility and grow brand recognition. For this same reason, it is that much more important for non-profits to be active on social media.
