Blog - The Nonprofit Imagineers

Notice the Regulars

Just like someone noticed this little boy parking his bike every day, nonprofits should pay attention to the small but consistent actions people take—whether it’s a donor who gives $10 monthly, a volunteer who always shows up, or a community member who quietly attends every event.

How to Tell Your Nonprofit’s Cinderella Story: Why Everyone Loves an Underdog

Every year during March Madness, millions of people fill out brackets, pick their teams, and follow college basketball with an intensity that surprises even the most casual fans. But it’s not just about the sport—it’s about the stories. The teams no one expected to win. The

Watch Parties & Watchdogs: What March Madness Teaches Us About Hosting Events People Care About

Every March, gyms, bars, living rooms, and break rooms fill with fans gathering to watch college basketball. Some are die-hard followers. Others barely know the rules. But the atmosphere is electric. Why? Because March Madness creates an experience that brings people together—through timing, emotion, and a

From Stats to Stories: The March Madness Playbook for Nonprofit Communicators

Every March, millions of fans tune in to NCAA basketball—not just for the dunks and buzzer-beaters, but for the stories. The walk-on who became a star. The senior playing through injury. The underdog team that defies the odds. March Madness broadcasts don’t just rely on statistics—they

Chocolate Seder Haggadah: The Sweetest Way to Bring Passover to Life

If you’ve ever experienced a Chocolate Seder, you know just how sweet Passover can be—literally! Over the past decade, Chocolate Seders have become an increasingly popular way to engage kids, families, and chocolate lovers of all ages in the story of Passover. And now, for the

Final Four Fundraising: Structuring Your Appeals Like a Bracket

March Madness isn’t just about basketball—it’s about decisions. Millions of people build brackets every year, making choices between teams they’ve barely heard of, following upsets, and emotionally investing in outcomes. Brackets transform passive viewers into active participants. What if your nonprofit’s fundraising could do the same?

The Power of Nostalgia in Nonprofit Engagement: Connecting the Past to the Present

The Emotional Pull of Nostalgia Have you ever caught a familiar scent, heard an old song, or seen a childhood toy and felt like you were transported back in time? Nostalgia is a powerful force. It connects us to our past, evokes strong emotions, and creates

7 Nostalgic Fundraisers Ready for a Comeback (and How to Modernize Them)

Why Nostalgia Works in Fundraising Fundraising events have changed over the years, with online giving platforms and virtual galas becoming more common. But sometimes, the best way to engage donors is by looking to the past. Classic fundraisers—like telethons, walk-a-thons, bake sales, and game nights—have an

Storytelling That Sparks Memory and Connection: How Nonprofits Can Use Nostalgia to Engage Their Audiences

The other day, I was scrolling through social media when I saw an ad that stopped me in my tracks. It wasn’t a flashy new campaign or a celebrity endorsement—it was a simple, grainy image of a retro lunchbox, the kind I used to carry to

Thinking Outside the Box (Literally)

Domino’s doesn’t fix roads. They make pizza. Yet, their “Paving for Pizza” campaign was a stroke of marketing brilliance. By stepping into a community issue—potholes—that’s only tangentially related to their business (after all, bumpy roads ruin pizza deliveries), they positioned themselves as a brand that cares,