7 Steps to Creating Your Best Nonprofit Marketing Plan Ever

Many nonprofit organizations struggle with the concept of marketing themselves and their missions. It seems too sales-centric, too fueled by money. They ask, "Is it slimy to apply marketing to nonprofits?" Our answer: Definitely not. Here's why:Marketing is a tool. Tools aren't good or evil. They are morally neutral methods that can be used for noble reasons or for ill. Marketing a good cause is a noble endeavor.

Spotlight

Cause Effective

For more than 35 years, Cause Effective has strengthened the nonprofit sector by helping over 5,000 nonprofits build sustainable communities of supporters. We provide carefully tailored counsel to help nonprofits diversify funding, raise more money from individuals, activate boards of directors, and get the greatest value from special events and anniversaries so they can achieve long-term community change.

OTHER WHITEPAPERS
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Creating Strategic Plans and Goals for Every Major Donor

whitePaper | March 4, 2020

The look on her face said it all. “You want me to create a strategy for every single one of the donors on my caseload? Are you kidding me?” This is usually the reaction our team at Veritus Group gets when we tell MGOs that this will be one of the first things they need to do if they want to become successful with us. After the initial shock wears off and denial turns to acceptance, we get to work. We don’t skirt the enormity of the task. It is HARD work. We realize that. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. But they are not. And this is one of the reasons that MGOs, and ultimately non-profits, struggle with their major gift programs… they don’t have a plan. In this paper, we’re going to share with you a step-by-step process on how to put together a strategic plan for each donor. This is the same process we use with our clients to help them overcome what they think is insurmountable. Once MGOs start working on this process, they realize that not only is it possible, but it’s necessary for them to stay on task and become successful.

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Race to Lead: Confronting the Nonprofit Racial Leadership Gap

whitePaper | February 21, 2020

The nonprofit sector is experiencing a racial leadership gap. Studies show the percentage of people of color in the executive director/CEO role has remained under 20% for the last 15 years1 even as the country becomes more diverse. To understand the causes of this disparity, the Building Movement Project conducted the Nonprofits, Leadership, and Race survey with over 4,000 respondents. The study found few differences between white and people of color (POC) respondents in their aspirations or preparation for leadership roles—in fact people of color are more likely to be interested in becoming a nonprofit leader than whites. Survey respondents identified Boards of Directors and executive recruiters as key barriers to the hiring of more people of color executive directors/CEOs.

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Nonprofits See Big Benefits by Automating Accounts Payable

whitePaper | November 12, 2021

If nonprofit organizations were to vote on a common theme that best characterized their operations, the winner might be “doing more with less.” Although all organizations try to run as cost-effectively as possible, the imperative to do so can be especially acute for nonprofits. One of the best areas for nonprofits to boost efficiencies is in their finance and accounting processes. Download this eBook to learn from other nonprofits how you can save significant amounts of time and money by automating your AP processes, while freeing up staff to focus on higher-value activities and your mission.

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Confronting Wicked Problems 5 Strategies for Reimagined Leadership in the Social Sector

whitePaper | December 19, 2019

Our complex, changing world continually challenges leaders to be flexible and innovative. At the heart of efforts to create change, nonprofits, agencies, communities, and funders are working to uncover the roots of some of our greatest social issues, so-called “wicked problems.” At the Center for Creative Leadership, we have had the privilege to work alongside many social sector partners as they invest in improving the health of entire populations, transforming education to serve all, and alleviating persistent, intergenerational poverty. These experiences have led us to an increased understanding of the aspects of leadership that propel these efforts to greater success.

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Nonprofits: A Mission of Service

whitePaper | November 10, 2019

The drive to create a nonprofit organization often comes from a place of passion and is often profoundly personal. The efforts required to make that passion a reality, though, are quite practical, requiring attention to detail and a good deal of paperwork. Just as you’re passionate about your organization and its mission, “you have to be equally passionate about the paperwork, because if you leave one thing out, it can cost you,” said Villanova University assistant teaching professor Wesley Proctor, EdD.

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The Big Fundraising Secret

whitePaper | August 2, 2021

You’ll learn how traditional fundraising BLOCKS overall revenue growth and KEEPS you from reaching your overall revenue goals every year. There's also a checklist on Page 8 where you can assess if you need to make fundamental shifts in your current Funding Model & Fundraising Activities.

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Spotlight

Cause Effective

For more than 35 years, Cause Effective has strengthened the nonprofit sector by helping over 5,000 nonprofits build sustainable communities of supporters. We provide carefully tailored counsel to help nonprofits diversify funding, raise more money from individuals, activate boards of directors, and get the greatest value from special events and anniversaries so they can achieve long-term community change.

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