Blog

5 Engagement Tips Inspired by the Return of Mom Jeans

When mom jeans made their comeback, fashion experts didn’t call it a mistake. They called it a shift. After years of skinny fits and complicated cuts, the cycle swung back to what felt natural and comfortable. Engagement in nonprofits works the same way. People don’t always

Why Nonprofit Communications Should Think Like a Polaroid

Pull a Polaroid out of your bag at a party, and people light up. Suddenly, everyone wants to lean in for a picture, watch the photo emerge, and shake it impatiently as it develops. It’s not because Polaroids are better than the high-resolution camera in your

The Path We Build Together

You know that one extra dish sitting in your cabinet? The last survivor of a beloved set, or a plate passed down that doesn’t quite match anything else? Maybe you’ve held on to it for sentimental reasons—or just because it felt too special to throw away.

Use Light Content for Big Impact

This sign from a cheeky little café made us laugh — and also made us think. Sometimes, the most engaging content isn’t a polished campaign or a heartfelt story. Sometimes it’s a handwritten chalkboard pointing out that someone once complained about French onion soup being “too

The Summer Reset: Why Your Nonprofit Needs a Season of Reflection

In the nonprofit world, fall is for launches, winter is for giving, and spring is for preparation. Summer, on the other hand, often feels undefined. With school out, staff on vacation, and calendars in flux, summer can bring a slower rhythm to otherwise fast-paced organizations. But

Sunscreen & Storytelling: Protecting and Amplifying Your Brand in the Summer Sun

Summer can be a strange time for nonprofit communicators. Audiences are distracted. Team members are on vacation. Engagement slows. And yet, the work doesn’t stop. The summer months are often seen as a communications lull, but they offer a unique opportunity to rethink your strategy. Just

Lemonade Stand Fundraising: What Summer Teaches Us About Grassroots Giving

There’s something charming about a child’s lemonade stand. The hand-drawn signs. The uneven table. The sticky pitcher of lemonade that might be a little too sweet or a little too warm. The kids standing proudly, offering you a cup like it’s liquid gold. What’s more remarkable

S’more Than Just an Event: The Campfire Approach to Community Engagement

There’s something magical about a campfire. The smell of smoke on a breezy night. The laughter of friends sharing inside jokes. The warmth that draws people in, even if they started off sitting on the outskirts. The quiet pause between stories when someone throws on another

Gamify the Ordinary

At first glance, it’s just two bins of carpenter pencils. Same price. Same product. But someone added a twist: 👉 “Left Hand” vs. “Right Hand” pencils. There’s no actual difference between them—but now you’ve got a choice. A team. A side. A game. It’s a micro-moment

Level Up Your Impact: Game Design Principles for Nonprofit Success

Imagine if your nonprofit’s programs were as irresistible as your favorite game. Those of you who read The Nonprofit Imagineers book know that (spoiler alert) the happy ending is based largely on gamifying the experience of supporting a nonprofit. If supporters lined up to volunteer like

Winter Savings!