Who are you, and why are you wearing that trucker hat?
“Caitlin Clinard here, founder of Angel Oak Creative, a marketing firm that exists to serve the nonprofit industry. I’m fresh off the plane from an adventure in Alaska! Everyone I was with didn’t want to leave and come back to their jobs, but I was excited to come back to work. I believe in what we do; I love what we do. I’m so passionate about serving nonprofits day-in and day-out – it’s an incredible privilege.”
So, what’s up?
“This week is National Nonprofit Day, Friday, August 17! We’re so excited! We’re inviting nonprofits to come into our office this Friday to get some free headshots. That list is full at this point, but we’d still love to see you for coffee, scones and awesome conversation.”
Why make such a big deal about National Nonprofit Day?
“Nonprofits exist ultimately to enrich lives, to serve and benefit the public. Right now, nonprofits are providing 1 out of 10 jobs to North Carolinians. They’re an economic engine – providing jobs. They’re the third or fourth largest sector in our state right now. The nonprofit industry is thriving! The incredible work that – what we call our heroes of our state – do, day-in and day-out… they address issues of education, poverty, healthcare, our culture and environment. These are people and organizations who are committed to enriching lives in our state. It’s big. It’s bigger than what the for-profit sector’s doing.
“The engagement potential that non-profits provide is huge. Right now, about 2.5 million volunteers a year, across our state, are spending their time in the nonprofit sector. That’s so powerful! Nonprofits are giving individuals an opportunity to have passion projects and to be the change they want to see in the world.”
What about your marketing firm?
“We put nonprofits as our primary client. We believe that the more nonprofits invest in their marketing the more return they’ll get. So, ultimately, if they’re investing in powerful communication tools that can tell their stories and tell their missions, they’re going to see a return on their bottom line. It’s really exciting to watch nonprofits shift from an old mindset of marketing being overhead and not being worth the investment and donors not believing that nonprofits should spend money on anything but programs. That’s so short-sighted; that’s stifling to nonprofits. One of the exciting changes I see – at least in the triangle and North Caroline as a whole – is donors changing their mentality and believing that investment in overhead, things like marketing, can really move the dial for nonprofits.
“As I see donors and foundations believe in capacity building for nonprofits – the sky is the limit. The potential is endless. It’s really exciting to be a part of it! We’re hoping to impact 1,000 nonprofits by 2023 – it’s a big, big vision. But we know that the work is there, and the need is there. We have so many believers across our community who love us and who are rooting us on and who continue to make connections for us. Nonprofits know the name Angel Oak Creative now when they’re looking for marketing help.”
Got it. Didn’t you mention something about coffee and scones earlier…?
“Make sure you come in on Friday between 10 am – 1 pm! We’re celebrating National Nonprofit Day – coffee, scones, conversations, headshots. We’d love to see you!”
