new YEAR, SAME MISSION
Happy (almost) New Year, nonprofit family!
As we enter 2023, we’re on the edge of our seats for the impact nonprofits will have on our communities in the upcoming year. You are transforming lives in remarkable ways, and we’re so thankful for you!
Entering into a new year with the same mission presents an incredible opportunity to widen your table, continue to grow your impact and refocus on the why behind your mission. Traditionally, we set personal resolutions to kickstart the new year with a list of high hopes for changed behavior and increased capacity. But when is the last time you stopped to think about what a resolution really is?
Simply put – resolutions are firm decisions to do or not do something. Sticking to them is the tricky part, but refining processes, reassessing goals and charting the course for next steps is crucial to make dreams come true.
We have a few resolutions to help you reach and exceed your goals for 2023. Recognizing both sides of the resolution coin is essential. What will you do? What will you not do? Just don’t mission drift.
Still with us? We’re jumping in. Here are our recommendations:
1. DO — Capitalize on the four C’s of communication. Clear, concise, consistent, compelling. There’s a ton of noise, competition for attention and causes to be supported. To gain traction, your message must be heard and understood with an opportunity to respond. Any story you tell (no matter the medium) must be clear in its message and call to action, concise and consistent to your brand and compelling to its target audience. One of the best places to practice the four C’s of communication is through expressing gratitude to your donors – check out what landed on the doorsteps of Healing Transitions’ new donors complete with their foundational messaging so supporters knew exactly what they’re getting behind!
2. DO NOT— Assume. As your communications become even more clear, concise and compelling, don’t assume your target audience knows who you are, what you do or why your mission is important. Utilize the channels of communication you have available to keep your stakeholders informed about your progress. When in doubt, communicate, thank and ask for feedback (with the four C’s in mind)! For example, when nonprofits experience a rebrand (which can be complex) over-communicating with stakeholders that a name change ≠ mission change is crucial. Take a look at CommunityWorx rebrand!
3. DO — Help others help you. It is critical to equip your stakeholders (donors, staff, volunteers) with the tools they need to be effective ambassadors for your organization. Guiding your stakeholders in the right direction and communicating clearly is a significant first step, but it’s just the beginning. Following up with resources and assets is just as critical. And activating your board to help increase your capacity is a gamechanger! Brand books are a must to quickly bring new teammates up to speed and keep everyone on brand (especially when putting pen to paper on those resolutions) – here’s an award-winning brand book example from Holy Trinity Anglican Church!
4. DO NOT — Neglect data. Marketing without data is like driving without a steering wheel. Data allows you to understand your audience, which platforms they are most receptive to, which keywords will reach them and how you can be most effective in communicating your mission, vision, needs and impact. Make-A-Wish’s annual report utilizes donor-based data to communicate mission, vision, need + impact effectively!
5. DO — Have fun and remember your why. Resolutions made half-heartedly are rarely successful. Resolutions made without an emphasis on your why are nearly impossible to uphold! To stick to your do’s and don’ts of 2023, you must be open to having fun, enjoying the process and staying in tune with where you began, where you’re headed and why you’re doing it. Here’s our heart behind what we do to serve as a template to help you communicate your why.
The new year presents new opportunities for nonprofits to increase their impact. This year, we resolve to equip, elevate and educate nonprofits to help you communicate more effectively, grow your impact and ultimately exceed your goals in 2023.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us if we can support you with your resolutions.
Happy resolution writing,
Emily White, Client Success Executive
