The Nonprofit Template Shop®

AI’s Impact on Nonprofit Communications Jobs: What’s Next?

Sandee Jackson — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 16:41:42 +0000

What Does an Entry-Level Nonprofit Communications Job Even Look Like Anymore?

Observations on how AI and workflow automation are reshaping career pathways in our sector

The impact of AI on the nonprofit sector goes far beyond simple automation; it’s fundamentally reshaping nonprofit communications jobs and creating new questions about traditional career pathways. As someone who helps nonprofits streamline their communications workflows, both through direct client work and template design, I keep hearing the same question from executive directors and communications managers: “What does an entry-level communications role even look like anymore?” Whether it’s in client conversations, relevant Facebook groups, email discussion lists, or LinkedIn threads, this concern keeps surfacing.

It’s a question that’s been nagging at me too, especially as someone who started my nonprofit comms career in exactly those types of positions. The tools we’re using to make communications more efficient and accessible are fundamentally changing what entry-level work looks like, and I’m not sure we’re having enough honest conversations about what that could mean for our sector.

AI’s Impact on the Nonprofit Sector: Understanding the Adoption Gap

Recent data tells a fascinating story about where nonprofits actually stand with AI. Understanding the true impact of AI on the nonprofit sector requires looking beyond adoption statistics to the pressure organizations feel to transform their operations. TechSoup and Tapp Network’s comprehensive 2025 “State of AI in Nonprofits” study of over 1,300 organizations found that only 7% have successfully adopted AI to address operational challenges, and 26% aren’t using AI at all yet. You might think this means we have plenty of time to figure things out.

But if you’re active in nonprofit professional circles like I am, you know that’s not the whole picture. The urgency around AI adoption is palpable in every thread, every discussion, every conference hallway conversation. Organizations feel intense pressure to make decisions now, even if they haven’t implemented anything yet. The TechSoup/Tapp Network study confirms this disconnect: 76% of nonprofits have no AI strategy, but that doesn’t mean they’re not scrambling to create one.

This disconnect between actual adoption and perceived urgency is exactly the environment where organizations with good intentions might make impulsive decisions that inadvertently eliminate traditional pathways into our field.

The Job that Built Me (and Maybe You Too)

Fifteen years ago, I was that person: the PR/volunteer coordinator at a small local nonprofit, juggling twelve different responsibilities, learning nonprofit communications by doing it badly, then slightly less badly, then eventually pretty well. I spent hours crafting social media posts, wrestling with design software, and figuring out how to make our tiny budget stretch across all our communications needs.

It was messy, inefficient, and essential to who I became as a professional communicator.

That job taught me how nonprofits really work, not the glossy annual report version, but the day-to-day reality of serving communities. I learned about program delivery by writing about it for newsletters and blog posts. I gained an understanding of donor psychology through managing thank-you campaigns. I grasped the complexity of community relationships by coordinating volunteer events.

Most importantly, I learned that nonprofit communications isn’t just about nice graphics and good copy. It’s about real human connection in service of something bigger than yourself.

How AI Is Transforming Nonprofit Communications Jobs

Here’s what I’m seeing across client organizations and in countless discussions across nonprofit professional communities: Organizations can now accomplish in 30 minutes what used to take a coordinator all day. Well-trained AI writes social media copy that’s genuinely good. Templates create professional-looking materials in minutes. Automated sequences aptly handle routine donor communications.

The efficiency gains are remarkable, and they should be celebrated. Small nonprofits that couldn’t afford communications staff can now maintain a professional presence. Overstretched EDs can create materials that actually convert. We’re democratizing good design and strategic messaging in ways that genuinely help organizations advance their missions.

But these efficiency gains are also changing what organizations need from entry-level communications roles. The question isn’t whether jobs are disappearing; it’s what they’re evolving into.

The conversation around nonprofit job displacement often focuses on whether positions will disappear entirely. However, the real impact is more nuanced. Nonprofit communications jobs aren’t vanishing; they’re evolving into roles that require different skill sets and strategic thinking from day one.

The Skills Gap Is Widening, and It’s Happening Fast

Here’s what the data shows us about AI’s impact on the nonprofit sector: While 85% of nonprofits express high interest in AI tools like generative AI, only 6% of leaders consider themselves AI experts. Meanwhile, 42% of organizations have only one or two staff members exploring AI, exactly the kind of individual initiative that drove early adoption in my days as a nonprofit staffer.

The difference is, when I was figuring out social media in my first nonprofit communications job, the stakes were lower. If I posted something imperfect, we’d try again the next day. Today’s AI tools require more strategic thinking from the start. Understanding your organization’s voice well enough to prompt AI effectively. Knowing your programs deeply enough to ensure AI outputs are accurate. Recognizing when automated responses miss the mark and need human intervention.

The traditional “learn while doing” pathway where you developed strategic thinking by handling routine tasks is quickly shrinking.

The Inequality Problem

Perhaps most concerning is how this transition is playing out differently across organizations. The research shows that larger nonprofits adopt AI tools at nearly double the rate of smaller ones. With 50% of nonprofits operating on budgets under $500K, we’re creating a two-tiered system where larger organizations leap ahead while smaller ones struggle to keep up.

This matters because many of the entry-level positions I’m worried about have historically been at smaller organizations — the places where one person wore multiple hats (yep, those one person comms shops) and learned the full scope of nonprofit operations. If these organizations can’t afford to experiment with AI or train staff gradually, where will the next generation of nonprofit communicators learn their craft?

The Human Elements We Risk Losing

What concerns me most isn’t the technology itself; it’s what we might lose in our rush to adopt it efficiently.

Authentic connection could suffer. Both the TechSoup/Tapp Network study and other recent research show that nonprofits recognize this risk, and I see it echoed constantly in professional discussions. When asked about concerns about AI in nonprofit communications, many respondents mentioned “losing the personal touch” and worrying about AI’s accuracy compared to human judgment. In Facebook groups and email lists, I regularly see posts from communications directors worried about maintaining authentic relationships while increasing efficiency. These aren’t abstract fears; they’re recognition that nonprofit communications require deep understanding of community relationships and organizational nuance.

We might lose diverse perspectives. Historically, many communications roles were accessible to people early in their careers, including those from the communities nonprofits serve. If these positions now require advanced skills from the start, we could see the field become more homogeneous, precisely at a time in history when we need diverse voices most.

The pathway from community to communications professional could disappear. Some of our best communicators started as volunteers, program participants, or community members who understood the work because they’d lived it. If we only hire people who already possess AI collaboration skills, we could risk losing that invaluable pipeline.

The New Reality: Someone Still Needs to Feed the Machine

I always tell the organizations I work with that AI and automation are incredibly powerful, but someone still needs to feed the machine. The tools don’t run themselves.

Someone needs to:

Understand your organization’s voice and ensure AI outputs uses it to inform any content you produce
Know your programs well enough to prompt AI for accurate, compelling content
Recognize when automated responses miss the mark and need human intervention
Maintain relationships with community members, volunteers, and donors
Think strategically about when to use automation and when to go human
Continuously refine and improve your systems

The role hasn’t disappeared, but it’s certainly evolved, and that evolution is creating a new challenge: How do we prepare people for communications roles that require both strategic thinking and technical fluency from day one?

Preventing Nonprofit Job Displacement: Strategic Approaches

I don’t think the answer is to resist these technological advances as they’re genuinely helpful for resource-strapped organizations. Instead, I think we need to be intentional about how we adapt. (For specific implementation strategies, see our practical solutions guide for AI in nonprofit communications.)

Redefine entry-level expectations. Instead of expecting strategic mastery from day one, focus on curiosity, cultural fit, and willingness to learn AI collaboration skills. Someone who understands your community and mission can learn to prompt AI effectively; someone who only knows the tools but doesn’t understand the work will struggle.

Consider creating apprenticeship opportunities. Use the time and money saved through automation to invest in mentoring new communications professionals. If AI can handle routine tasks in 30 minutes instead of all day, redirect those saved hours toward training and mentoring. If automation reduces the need for a full-time position, consider hiring a part-time apprentice alongside your AI tools. The efficiency gains should fund human development, not replace it entirely.

Emphasize uniquely human skills. Relationship building, community connection, authentic storytelling, and strategic thinking become even more valuable when routine tasks are automated. Focus on hiring for emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and the ability to translate complex community needs into compelling narratives. These are the skills that AI can support but never replace, and they’re often strongest in people who’ve lived the experiences your organization serves.

Build AI literacy gradually. Don’t expect people to be AI experts immediately. Recent research shows that many nonprofits are interested in AI training for their communities, indicating there’s clearly appetite for education. Provide training and support for staff to grow into these new technical requirements.

Preserve the community-to-communications pipeline. Actively create pathways for people from your communities to enter communications roles, even if they don’t start with AI skills. Their authentic understanding of your mission and community may be more valuable than technical expertise.

The Conversation We Need to Have

I don’t have all the answers here, but I believe we need to have this conversation openly, honestly, and urgently.

How do we preserve the pathways into nonprofit communications while embracing tools that genuinely help organizations?

How do we maintain the sector’s commitment to diversity and inclusion when the traditional entry points are disappearing?

How do we ensure that more efficient communications don’t become less human communications?

The impact of AI on the nonprofit sector continues to unfold, but we have the opportunity to shape how this transformation affects nonprofit communications jobs. Rather than accepting inevitable nonprofit job displacement, we can work intentionally to preserve pathways while embracing efficiency gains.

The fact that the TechSoup/Tapp Network study found 76% of nonprofits still lack AI strategies suggests we’re at a critical inflection point. Organizations feel pressure to adopt AI, but most haven’t yet developed coherent approaches. This is our window—not to slow down AI adoption, but to shape how it happens.

I’m curious: How has AI changed your organization’s communications approach? Are you seeing the same shifts I’m describing? And most importantly, what are we going to do about it?

Because while I’m helping nonprofits work more efficiently, I don’t want to lose sight of why this work matters in the first place: real people, real communities, real change.

And that still requires real humans.

What’s your take on this shift? I’d love to continue this conversation in the comments or over email. Because if we’re going to reshape how nonprofit communications works, we should do it thoughtfully together.

Integrated Nonprofit Campaign Kits, Not Just Canva Templates

Sandee Jackson — Tue, 20 May 2025 20:29:47 +0000

Why Nonprofits Need Integrated Campaign Kits, Not Just Templates

hen I set out to create The Nonprofit Template Shop, I knew I wanted to build something different from typical nonprofit Canva templates. Not just another collection of pretty graphics, but complete nonprofit communications systems that solve the messy reality of coordinated messaging.

After 30 years in communications, from TV news to nonprofits, I’ve lived through enough crises, campaigns, and day-to-day challenges to know that the template industry has been thinking too small when it comes to nonprofit marketing materials.

The Problem with Individual Nonprofit Canva Templates

Most template creators package their nonprofit Canva templates by format: “Instagram Story Bundle,” “Email Header Collection,” “Flyer Templates.” But that’s not how nonprofit communications actually works.

When your organization needs to respond to a policy change, launch a fundraising campaign, or mobilize supporters around an urgent issue, you don’t need 20 variations of Instagram stories. You need complete nonprofit campaign kits that work across every channel your audience uses — social media, email, your website, direct mail, community meetings, and media outreach.

You need messaging that’s consistent whether someone sees your Facebook post, receives your appeal letter, or reads your press release. And you need it all to work together strategically, not just look good on its own.

Introducing Integrated Nonprofit Campaign Kits

Instead of bundles of individual nonprofit Canva templates organized by format, we’re building integrated nonprofit campaign kits — complete communication systems organized around the real challenges nonprofits face.

Each nonprofit campaign kit includes everything you need to execute a full campaign across online and offline channels:

Print Components: Direct mail pieces, rack cards, press materials, internal signage
Digital Assets: Social media graphics, email headers, website banners, digital presentations
Strategic Frameworks: Message coordination guides, timeline templates, decision trees
Documentation: Tracking tools, legal considerations, accessibility guidelines

The goal? When you purchase a nonprofit campaign kit, you have everything needed to execute that type of campaign professionally and strategically, regardless of your team size or design experience.

Five Strategic Categories for Nonprofit Campaign Kits

These five categories represent the core types of nonprofit communications work every nonprofit does, whether you’re a small grassroots organization or a large established institution. But here’s what makes our approach different: instead of offering individual nonprofit Canva templates within each category (Instagram posts here, email headers there, direct mail pieces somewhere else), we’re bundling complete campaign solutions.

Rather than browsing through dozens of separate templates and trying to make them work together, you choose the specific campaign challenge you’re facing and get everything you need in one coordinated nonprofit campaign kit.

1. Advocacy & Action Kits

For mobilizing support and driving change

Example: Rapid Response Communication Kit When breaking news affects your cause, you need coordinated nonprofit communications across all channels within hours (sometimes even minutes!). This nonprofit campaign kit includes crisis statement templates for letterhead, urgent social media graphics, emergency appeal letters, email alert headers, and a strategic framework for deciding when and how to respond.

Real-world application: A housing rights organization facing unexpected policy changes could deploy consistent messaging across social media, direct mail, email, and media outreach within 24 hours — without starting from scratch or losing brand consistency.

2. Knowledge & Narrative Kits

For educating stakeholder groups and shaping understanding

Example: Awareness Campaign Communication Kit Transform complex issues into accessible education across multiple touchpoints. This nonprofit campaign kit includes explainer infographic templates, social media carousel designs, white paper layouts, presentation frameworks, and community workshop materials.

Real-world application: The same housing rights organization could use this kit to launch a comprehensive education campaign about tenant protection laws, maintaining consistent messaging across all nonprofit marketing materials.

3. Outcomes & Outreach Kits

For connecting results with supporters

Example: Year-End Giving Campaign Kit Coordinate your biggest fundraising push across every channel. This nonprofit campaign kit includes appeal letter templates, social media countdown graphics, email series headers, donor recognition materials, and impact report layouts — all designed to work together for maximum campaign effectiveness.

Real-world application: When that housing rights organization reaches its year-end fundraising season, this kit would coordinate their entire giving campaign. Appeal letters could highlight families helped through their tenant advocacy, social media graphics could show impact statistics, email series could share success stories, and donor recognition materials could thank supporters, all working together to demonstrate how donations directly translate to housing stability for community members.

4. Systems & Statements Kits

For managing operations with clarity

Example: Organizational Transition Communication Kit Whether it’s leadership changes, office moves, or policy updates, these nonprofit campaign kits help you communicate operational changes professionally across all stakeholder groups with consistent messaging and appropriate materials for each audience.

Real-world application: If the housing rights organization needed to announce a new executive director, this kit would ensure professional, consistent nonprofit communications across all stakeholder groups. Board letters, staff memos, social media announcements, and media advisories would all share the transition news with appropriate messaging for each audience while maintaining the organization’s authority and stability during leadership change.

5. Community & Celebration Kits

For honoring people and building connection

Example: Volunteer Appreciation Campaign Kit Create a comprehensive recognition campaign that works across social media, direct mail, email, and in-person events. This nonprofit campaign kit includes spotlight post templates, thank-you letter designs, appreciation event materials, and volunteer milestone recognition systems.

Real-world application: The housing rights organization could use this kit to create a comprehensive volunteer appreciation campaign for their tenant advocates and legal clinic volunteers. Social media spotlights would highlight individual volunteers, thank-you letters would recognize specific contributions, appreciation event materials would celebrate the group, and milestone recognition would honor volunteers’ years of service, all reinforcing the community that makes their housing advocacy possible.

Why Nonprofit Campaign Kits Change Everything

For Small Nonprofits: You get enterprise-level campaign coordination without enterprise budgets or teams. One nonprofit campaign kit purchase gives you everything needed for a professional, multi-channel campaign.

For Larger Organizations: Your nonprofit communications team can deploy coordinated campaigns faster, with built-in consistency across all materials and clear strategic frameworks for decision-making.

For Crisis Moments: When you need to respond quickly, you have pre-designed, strategically organized nonprofit marketing materials ready to customize and deploy, not a folder of random graphics to sort through.

The Development Process: Strategy First, Design Second

Each nonprofit campaign kit starts with strategic framework development:

What are the key decision points in this type of campaign?
Which audiences need different messages or materials?
How do online and offline nonprofit communications work together?
What are the common failure points, and how do we prevent them?

Only after the strategy is solid do we design the nonprofit marketing materials, ensuring every template, graphic, and document serves the larger campaign goals.

As we develop each integrated nonprofit campaign kit, we’re taking a methodical approach that prioritizes both functionality and beauty across all formats:

Nonprofit-Specific Research: Analyzing hundreds of real-world examples from organizations of various sizes and sectors to identify common nonprofit communications needs and effective approaches, both visual and structural.
Modularity and Flexibility: Building individual templates within the kits with customization in mind, ensuring they work for organizations at different stages and with different capabilities, whether in Canva or document form.
Accessibility Integration: Prioritizing designs that support readability, clear contrast, and straightforward adaptation for accessibility needs across all template types.
Real-World Testing: Collaborating with nonprofit communicators to test templates before they’re finalized, ensuring they truly solve the problems they’re meant to address.

What This Means for Your Organization

Instead of purchasing individual nonprofit Canva templates and figuring out how to make them work together, you’re investing in complete nonprofit communications systems that have been tested, refined, and designed to work as integrated campaigns.

Each nonprofit campaign kit represents years of nonprofit communications experience distilled into a ready-to-deploy system that respects both your mission and your constraints.

Ready to see how integrated nonprofit campaign kits could transform your nonprofit communications? Share your biggest multi-channel campaign challenge in the comments; your input helps shape which kits we develop first.

Nonprofit Messaging Strategy: Build Resilient Communication

The Nonprofit Template Shop — Fri, 02 May 2025 18:19:00 +0000

When Your Messaging Faces the Fire: Building Communications That Survive Scrutiny

Every nonprofit communications professional knows that sinking feeling when you hit “publish” and immediately question your nonprofit messaging strategy. In today’s scrutinized environment, building resilient nonprofit communications isn’t just helpful; it’s essential for organizational survival.

Every nonprofit communicator has been there: the moment when your carefully crafted message gets challenged, questioned, or worse; it’s completely misunderstood. Maybe it’s a donor questioning your stance on a social issue. Perhaps it’s a community member taking your fundraising appeal out of context. Or it could be a board member wondering if your advocacy messaging might jeopardize your tax-exempt status.

These moments test more than just your communication skills; they test whether your messaging foundation is strong enough to weather the storm. Developing a strong nonprofit messaging strategy means more than crafting compelling content; it requires building nonprofit communications best practices that withstand pressure while advancing your mission.

What Makes Nonprofit Communications Resilient?

Resilient nonprofit communications don’t just sound good in the moment. They’re built to withstand pressure, scrutiny, and even deliberate misinterpretation while staying true to your organization’s mission and values.

Think of resilient messaging like a well-built house. It has:

A solid foundation: your core mission and values
Strong framing: clear logic and defensible positions
Quality materials: accurate information and authentic, on brand voice
Flexible design: adaptable to different audiences and situations

When challenges arise, resilient communication maintains its integrity while adapting to the situation. Effective nonprofit marketing messaging combines strategic thinking with authentic voice, creating communications that maintain integrity under pressure.

The Three Pillars of Resilient Nonprofit Messaging Strategy

Pillar 1: Mission-Rooted Logic

Every piece of communication should trace back to your organization’s core purpose with clear, logical connections. This isn’t about cramming your mission statement into every post – it’s about ensuring every message supports your “why.”

The Logic Chain Test: Before publishing any message, ask yourself:

What do we want people to understand?
What do we want them to believe?
What do we want them to do?

If you can’t draw a clear line from your mission to all three answers, your messaging isn’t resilient – it’s vulnerable.

Think of this like your organization’s theory of change, but applied to individual communications. Just as your theory of change maps the logical progression from activities to outcomes to long-term impact, your messaging should follow a clear logical path from information to belief to action. When stakeholders can follow your reasoning – even if they don’t agree with your conclusion – your communications become much harder to dismiss or attack.

Pillar 2: Defensible Positioning

Resilient nonprofit communications take positions you can defend with facts, evidence, and authentic experience. This doesn’t mean playing it safe; it means being strategic about when and how you take stands.

Questions for defensible positioning:

Can we back this up with data or lived experience?
Does this align with our demonstrated expertise?
Are we prepared to have this conversation publicly?
What would we say to someone who disagrees?

Pillar 3: Values-Based Consistency

Your values should be visible in how you communicate, not just in what you communicate. Resilient messaging maintains consistent tone, approach, and principles across all platforms and situations.

Consistency checkpoints:

Does this sound like our organization?
Would we say this in any setting — from social media to a board meeting?
Are we treating all stakeholder groups with respect and providing transparency appropriate to their relationship with our organization?

Warning Signs: When Your Nonprofit Messaging Strategy Fails

Watch for these warning signs that your communications might not withstand scrutiny:

The Buzzword Brigade If your messaging relies heavily on jargon, buzzwords, or phrases that sound impressive but mean little, it won’t hold up under questioning. Clear, specific language is always more resilient than impressive-sounding fluff.
The Emotional Reaction Messages that rely purely on emotional manipulation without substance underneath are fragile. Effective nonprofit communications best practices balance heart and head; emotion draws people in, but logic keeps them engaged.
The Echo Chamber Effect If your messaging only makes sense to people who already agree with you, it’s not resilient. Strong communications can engage — or at least be understood by –people who don’t share your perspective.
The Defensive Crouch Messaging that sounds like you’re already defending against criticism often invites more scrutiny. Confident, proactive communications are more resilient than reactive ones.

Essential Tools for Resilient Nonprofit Communications

Tool 1: The Scrutiny Simulator

Before publishing important messages, run them through this quick exercise:

How would a skeptical board member interpret this?
What questions might a journalist ask about this statement?
How could this message be understood by someone who disagrees with our position?
What context are we assuming that others might not have?

Tool 2: The Values Alignment Check

Create a simple rubric based on your organization’s core values. Score each message (1-5) on how well it reflects each value. If any score below a 3, revise before publishing.

Tool 3: The Stakeholder Trust Audience

Map out your key stakeholder groups and honestly assess:

How much do they trust your organization?
What sources do they trust more than you?
Who could serve as a “trusted messenger” for different stakeholder groups?
What would increase their trust in your communications?

Real-World Resilience: A Case Study

Recently, I worked with a global organization focused on responsible seafood that faced a critical decision about its communications approach. As political tensions around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) language intensified in the U.S., they had to choose: pull back from their inclusive messaging to avoid potential backlash, or double down on language that reflected their core values.

The organization’s leadership took time to examine its mission deeply. They realized that their goal of building a truly global community in the responsible seafood movement couldn’t happen without inclusive language and genuine commitment to equity. Their international stakeholders — from small-scale fishers in the Global South to major retailers worldwide — needed to see themselves reflected in the organization’s communications.

Rather than retreating, they chose resilience. They refined their messaging to be even clearer about why inclusion matters to their environmental mission, backing their position with concrete examples of how diverse perspectives strengthen sustainable seafood solutions. When questions arose, they could point to their documented values and demonstrate how their inclusive approach directly served their conservation goals.

The result? Stronger stakeholder relationships, increased trust from their global community, and messaging that truly reflects their mission. Most importantly, they avoided the trap of reactive communications that would have weakened their ability to serve their cause.

This example demonstrates how resilient nonprofit communications enable organizations to maintain their values while adapting to challenging political environments. It’s how effective nonprofit messaging strategy looks in practice, staying true to your values even when the external environment creates pressure to compromise.

The Global Reality: One Message, Many Worlds

Here’s something every nonprofit communicator needs to understand: even if your organization works exclusively in your local community, your communications exist in a global context. A social media post about your youth program in Kansas can be seen by supporters in Kenya. Your advocacy messaging designed for your state legislature might inspire activists in Sweden — or concern funders in Singapore.

This global reality creates both opportunity and complexity. The same message that needs careful, measured language in one environment to ensure organizational sustainability and staff safety might be exactly the bold voice that ignites hope and action somewhere else in the world.

Consider these scenarios:

Your LGBTQ+ youth center needs to communicate carefully in a politically hostile local environment to protect funding and staff, but that same measured approach might feel like weakness to supporters in more progressive areas
Your environmental justice messaging resonates powerfully with international allies, but creates friction with local industry partners essential to your work
Your reproductive health programming faces local restrictions, but your mission-driven communications inspire organizations worldwide facing similar challenges

Resilient nonprofit communications recognize this tension and plan for it. They don’t water down your message to the lowest common denominator, but they do consider how to communicate authentically across different contexts while maintaining organizational safety and effectiveness.

When Scrutiny Comes: Responding with Resilience

Even the most resilient messaging sometimes faces challenges. Here’s how to respond when it happens:

Stay Grounded in Facts Lead with verifiable information. If you made an error, acknowledge it quickly and correct it. If the criticism is unfounded, calmly present the facts without getting defensive.

Amplify Your Allies Let others speak for you when possible. Third-party validation is often more powerful than self-defense. This is where those trusted messengers become invaluable.

Redirect to Mission When faced with criticism, bring the conversation back to your core purpose. “While we understand there are different perspectives on this issue, our focus remains on [mention your specific mission outcome].”

Document Everything Keep records of your communications decisions, including the reasoning behind them. This documentation becomes crucial if you need to defend your choices later.

The Resilience Payoff

Organizations with resilient nonprofit communications enjoy several advantages:

Increased Confidence: Staff and volunteers feel more comfortable sharing your messages
Better Relationships: Stakeholders trust organizations that communicate clearly and consistently
Crisis Preparedness: When real challenges arise, you’re already practiced at thoughtful response
Mission Clarity: The process of building resilient communications clarifies your thinking about your work

Resilient Nonprofit Messaging Strategy: Key Takeaways

Building nonprofit communications best practices requires ongoing commitment to:

Mission-rooted logic that connects every message to your core purpose
Defensible positioning backed by facts and authentic experience
Values-based consistency across all communications channels
Strategic preparation for scrutiny and criticism
Global awareness of how local messages travel beyond your immediate community

Your Next Steps

Building resilient nonprofit communications isn’t a one-time project; it’s an ongoing practice. Start here:

Audit your recent communications using the red flags checklist above
Create your values alignment rubric and test it on your next three messages
Identify your trusted messengers for each stakeholder group
Develop response templates for common types of criticism or questions

Remember: Resilient nonprofit messaging strategy is about building messaging that can weather challenges while staying true to your mission and serving your community effectively.

In a world where every message faces potential scrutiny, the nonprofits that communicate with resilience will be the ones that continue to build trust, engage supporters, and create lasting change.

What challenges has your organization faced with messaging scrutiny? How did you respond, and what would you do differently? The most resilient communications often emerge from learning from real-world experience, including the mistakes.

Behind the Rebrand: Nonprofit Communications Pivot Lessons

Sandee Jackson — Fri, 25 Apr 2025 18:59:00 +0000

Sometimes the biggest leaps forward require leaving behind what’s comfortable — even when it’s working.

After more than a decade running a web design studio, I recently decided to retire that brand entirely and fold those services into The Nonprofit Template Shop. It wasn’t a decision I made lightly, and it definitely wasn’t one I made quickly.

My communications journey started in television newsrooms — first as a production assistant, then as a producer and newsroom manager (assignment editor to assistant news director). That experience taught me how powerful visual consistency and clear messaging could be, especially under deadline pressure. When I transitioned from newsrooms to nonprofit offices (with a stop in professional services marketing along the way), I brought that understanding of how communications systems need to work together.

For years, I’d been trying to build The Nonprofit Template Shop “on the side” — with plenty of stops and starts along the way. I’d focus on a few start-up tasks with enthusiasm, then let it sit dormant when web design projects demanded my attention. This pattern repeated more times than I care to admit.

But as I watched how organizations struggled with consistent, compelling communications — not just websites, but the whole visual ecosystem — I realized I was solving the wrong problem. My newsroom experience kept nagging at me: In television, every graphic, every script, every visual element worked together to tell a cohesive story. Nonprofits deserved that same level of strategic integration.

What Changed (And Why)

The tipping point came when I started seeing the same pattern across client projects: Nonprofits would get a beautiful new website, but then struggle to maintain visual consistency across their other communications. Board presentations looked nothing like their website. Social media felt disconnected from their brand. Fundraising materials seemed like they came from a different organization entirely.

I was solving the website piece, but nonprofits needed something bigger — a unified approach to visual communications that didn’t require a full design team or an unlimited budget.

That’s when I realized The Nonprofit Template Shop wasn’t my side project. It was my main project.

The Practical Stuff (Because Details Matter)

Timeline: This pivot took about 18 months from initial consideration to full implementation. Not because the logistics were complicated, but because I needed to be sure.

The scary part: Walking away from an established brand and client base feels risky, even when you know it’s right. I’d spent years building recognition in the WordPress/web design for nonprofits space.

The relief: Once I committed to the decision, everything felt clearer. My messaging became more focused, my ideal client (and customer) became more defined, and my services started working together instead of competing for attention.

What I kept: All that web design experience didn’t disappear; it just became one piece of a larger puzzle. Now, when I build sites for larger nonprofit clients, it’s part of a comprehensive brand and communications strategy.

What This Means for You as a Nonprofit Communicator

If you’re reading this and thinking about your own organization’s communications strategy (or your career path), here’s what I learned:

Solve the real problem, not just the obvious one. Sometimes what looks like a website problem is actually a brand consistency problem. Sometimes what feels like a design problem is actually a messaging problem.

Your audience will follow authentic pivots. The nonprofit communicators who knew my web design work have been incredibly supportive of this shift because they can see how it serves them better.

Integration beats addition. Instead of adding more services to my web design business, I integrated web design into a more comprehensive approach. The result feels more cohesive for both me and my clients.

Timing matters, but not in the way you think. I kept waiting for the “perfect” time to make this change. The perfect time doesn’t exist. But the right time — when your gut and your data align — does.

Looking Forward

The Nonprofit Template Shop isn’t just about templates (though those Canva resources are pretty great). It’s about giving nonprofit communicators the tools and strategy to show up consistently and confidently, whether you’re a team of one or a team of ten.

Sometimes the best way forward means changing direction entirely. And sometimes that change helps you serve your mission — and your stakeholders (or audience) — so much better that you wonder why you waited so long.

What pivots have you made in your communications work—either personally or organizationally? I’d love to hear about them. Email me at hi@nonprofittemplateshop.com or find me on LinkedIn.

The One Person Nonprofit Comms Shop Survival Guide

Sandee Jackson — Wed, 16 Apr 2025 15:03:00 +0000

If you’re reading this while frantically switching between writing a newsletter, designing an event flyer, updating the website, and responding to “quick” requests from three different program directors, this post is for you.

Being a one-person communications department feels like being asked to be a symphony orchestra while everyone else gets to play one instrument. You’re the writer, designer, social media manager, web developer, photographer, crisis communicator, and brand guardian all rolled into one. Oh, and can you also handle the volunteer appreciation event invitations? Thanks.

I’ve been there. I spent years as the solo communications person at a nonprofit, going home every night feeling like I hadn’t done enough, like I was always three steps behind, like everyone else was managing to keep all their plates spinning while mine crashed to the ground daily.

Here’s what I wish someone had told me then: You’re not failing. The job is impossible as designed. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

The Reality Check You Need to Hear

Let’s be honest about what’s really happening here. Most nonprofits create a communications role that would require at least three people to do well, then wonder why their one person seems “overwhelmed.” They want the social media engagement of a dedicated community manager, the design skills of a creative director, the writing prowess of a content strategist, and the technical abilities of a web developer — all for a salary that’s probably 20% below market rate.

Sound familiar?

The isolation is real, too. While your program colleagues collaborate on cases and your development team strategizes together, you’re often working alone, making dozens of decisions daily with no one to bounce ideas off of. Every choice — from which photo to use to how to word that sensitive announcement — lands on your shoulders.

But here’s the thing: acknowledging this reality isn’t complaining. It’s the first step toward creating a sustainable approach that actually works.

Strategy 1: Triage Everything (Yes…Everything)

Stop trying to do everything well. Start triaging ruthlessly — treating your tasks like an emergency room treats patients, focusing your best energy on what’s most critical.

Consider this your cheat sheet for prioritizing your communications work:

High Impact — Must Do:

Major donor communications
Crisis communications
Grant deadlines
Board-facing material

Medium Impact — Do When Possible:

Regular social media posts
Newsletter content
Website updates
Event promotion

Low Impact — Do If Time Allows:

Perfect Instagram aesthetics
Extensive photo editing
Custom graphics for every occasion
Responding to every social media comment within an hour

This isn’t about lowering standards; it’s about being strategic with your time and energy. Your organization would rather have excellent donor communications and okay social media than mediocre everything.

Strategy 2: Template Everything You Can

I cannot stress this enough: if you’re recreating the wheel every time you need to communicate something, you’re making your job so much harder than it needs to be.

Create templates for:

Volunteer thank-you emails
Event announcements
Program updates
Social media posts
Press releases
Donor thank-you letters
Board meeting updates

Yes, it takes time upfront. Yes, you’ll need to customize each one. But having a starting point instead of a blank page will save you hours every week and reduce that mental load of “How do I even begin this?”

Pro tip: Don’t aim for perfect templates. Aim for “good enough to build from” templates. You can always refine them as you go.

Even Better: Look for strategic template collections (we call these campaign kits) that give you multiple coordinated pieces for common communications needs, like a complete donor appreciation series or a full volunteer recruitment campaign. These save you even more time because the messaging and design work together cohesively.

Strategy 3: Batch Similar Tasks

Your brain wasn’t designed to switch between writing, designing, and posting every ten minutes. Batch similar tasks together:

Monday mornings: Write all your content for the week
Tuesday afternoons: Design graphics and visual content
Wednesday: Website updates and administrative tasks
Thursday: Social media scheduling and community management
Friday: Planning next week and catching up on anything urgent

This isn’t rigid—emergencies happen, and flexibility is key in nonprofit work. But having a default structure helps your brain stay in the right mode for longer, making you more efficient overall.

Strategy 4: Set Boundaries That Actually Stick

Here’s where many of us struggle: saying no in a sector where everything feels urgent and important.

Try these approaches:

Instead of: “I’m too busy” Try: “I can do X by Friday or Y by Tuesday, but not both. Which would be more helpful for your program goals?”

Instead of: “I don’t have time” Try: “To do this well, I’d need to push back [specific project]. Can we prioritize that?”

Instead of: “That’s not possible” Try: “Here are three options that would work with current resources…”

Notice how each alternative offers solutions while still protecting your capacity? You’re not saying no to helping; you’re being realistic about how to help effectively.

Strategy 5: Build Your Informal Advisory Board

Just because you’re the only communications person doesn’t mean you have to make every decision alone. Identify people you can bounce ideas off of:

A peer at another nonprofit (maybe someone from a local nonprofit association?)
A volunteer with relevant experience
A board member with communications background
An online community of nonprofit communicators

Even a five-minute conversation about messaging for a sensitive topic can save you hours of second-guessing yourself.

Can’t find your people locally? I’ve been in your shoes, and I’m always happy to be a sounding board for fellow nonprofit communicators who need someone who gets it. Reach out if you need to talk through a communications challenge with someone who understands the unique pressures of nonprofit work.

Strategy 6: Embrace “Good Enough”

This might be the hardest advice to follow, especially if you’re naturally a perfectionist (and let’s be honest, most of us in communications are).

Your newsletter doesn’t need to be a design masterpiece; it needs to clearly communicate what’s happening and how people can get involved. Your social media doesn’t need to be perfectly curated; it needs to authentically represent your organization’s work.

Imperfect communications that get published are infinitely more valuable than potentially perfect communications that never make it out the door because you ran out of time.

Strategy 7: Automate the Routine Stuff

Take advantage of tools that can handle routine tasks:

Schedule social media posts in advance
Set up automated thank-you emails for online donations
Create email sequences for new volunteers or donors

This isn’t about losing the personal touch — it’s about freeing up your time and energy for the communications that truly need your personal attention.

Strategy 8: Document Everything

When you’re juggling everything, your brain becomes the institutional memory for communications decisions. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not fair to you.

Document:

Brand guidelines (even basic ones)
Approval processes
Passwords and login information
Templates (or campaign kits) and their intended uses
Social media posting schedules

This documentation serves two purposes: it makes your life easier when you need to reference something, and it makes things smoother when you’re out sick, or if your organization eventually outsources communications help.

When to Push for More Support

Sometimes the answer isn’t better systems; it’s more resources. Here are signs it’s time to make the case for additional communications support:

You’re regularly working more than 45 hours a week
Major projects are consistently delayed because of communications bottlenecks
You haven’t taken vacation time in over a year
Program staff are creating their own materials because they can’t wait for communications support
You’re making mistakes because you’re rushing through everything

The Bigger Picture

Here’s something I learned after years of feeling like I was never doing enough: your organization’s communications goals might be unrealistic for one person. That’s not your fault, and it’s not your failing.

The most successful one-person communications departments I know aren’t trying to do everything; instead, they’re doing the most important things really well. They’ve figured out how to say no professionally, how to batch their work efficiently, and how to ask for help when they need it.

Your mental health matters. Your professional development matters. Your work-life balance matters. None of these things are selfish; they’re necessary for sustainable impact.

Your Action Plan for This Week

Do a communications audit: List everything you’re currently responsible for. Everything.
Triage ruthlessly: Sort that list into “must do,” “should do,” and “could do” categories.
Pick one thing to template: Choose the communication you create most often and build a template for it. (Or better yet, look for a strategic campaign kit that covers your biggest communications challenge.)
Set one boundary: Choose one type of request that you’ll handle differently going forward.
Find one peer: Reach out to someone who might understand your challenges.

Remember: You didn’t become a nonprofit communicator to burn out in isolation. You became one to help important organizations share their stories and connect with their communities. Taking care of yourself isn’t separate from that mission — it’s essential to it.

The work you’re doing matters. Your well-being matters too. Sometimes the most radical thing you can do is acknowledge that both of these things can be true at the same time.

Want more strategies for sustainable nonprofit communications? Check out our posts on dealing with burnout and working in communications when everything feels overwhelming.

Canva Create 2025: Game-Changing Features for Nonprofits

The Nonprofit Template Shop — Fri, 11 Apr 2025 20:54:00 +0000

The annual Canva Create event was held Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, unveiling their biggest product launch yet: Visual Suite 2.0. This major update to your organization’s favorite web-based design application bridges the gap between productivity and creativity with features designed to transform how your nonprofit team creates and communicates.

Watch Canva’s official recap of the event:

Unified Project Workspace

The foundation of Visual Suite 2.0 is a game-changing organizational approach that allows you to create Canva projects containing multiple page types in a single workspace – Sheets, Docs, Presentations, Whiteboards, Social Media posts, and more. For nonprofits, this means:

Keep all campaign materials organized in one project instead of separate files
Seamlessly move between planning, data, and design phases without switching tools
Maintain brand consistency across all communications
Simplify collaboration by having everything in one place
Reduce the learning curve for team members and volunteers

1. Canva Sheets

This reimagined spreadsheet tool merges data with design to transform how you create content. For nonprofits, this means:

Turn program data into visually compelling impact reports
Create dynamic donor dashboards without spreadsheet expertise
Connect directly with Canva’s design tools for seamless visual storytelling
Bring live data directly into designs with integrations to platforms like Google Analytics

AI-Powered Features in Sheets:

Magic Insights: Simplifies complex data analysis, making it intuitive for non-technical team members
Magic Formulas: Allows you to create calculations using natural language instead of complex formulas
Magic Charts: Turns your data into beautiful, on-brand visuals with just a few clicks, automatically suggesting the best visualization type for your data

2. Enhanced Photo Editing

Perfect for nonprofits with limited resources for professional photography:

One-click AI tools to instantly enhance photos for higher quality communications
Edit backgrounds with simple text prompts to create context-appropriate imagery
Adjust photos as easily as editing a Canva template — click anywhere to adjust colors, move, remove, or replace elements
Direct camera roll uploads with instant posting to social media

3. Typography Enhancements

These improvements will elevate your nonprofit’s professional appearance:

New kerning controls for precise letter spacing in headlines and logos
Support for ligatures to create more polished, professional typography
Added subscript and superscript formatting options for academic content, statistics, and technical information
Expanded font pairing suggestions to ensure cohesive branding

4. Interactive Content Features

Boost engagement with your organization’s stakeholders through:

Caption animations to make social media content more eye-catching
Quiz generators for program content, volunteer training, or donor engagement
Interactive elements that can be implemented without coding expertise

5. Magic Studio at Scale

Ideal for small communications teams needing to produce consistent content:

Use built-in AI tools to populate dynamic data like names, headlines, or regional messages to generate hundreds of personalized, on-brand assets in a click
Create variations of designs for different platforms or stakeholder groups with minimal effort
Save significant time while ensuring all materials stay on-brand

6. Canva AI

A powerful assistant for nonprofits without dedicated design staff:

Design, write, and code from a simple text prompt
Voice-enabled for accessibility and efficiency
Turn ideas into reality “at the speed of conversation” to streamline creative workflows
Perfect for quickly creating program materials, social posts, or fundraising assets

7. Canva Code

Revolutionary for nonprofits needing interactive content without technical expertise:

Build interactive experiences without writing a single line of code and add them to any design
Create custom calculators, perfect for impact calculators or donation calculators
Develop interactive classroom resources for educational nonprofits
Design custom toolkits that could be adapted for fundraising or volunteer recruitment

Event Highlights

The event featured over 100 speakers and 60+ panels, workshops, product demos, and more, bringing together creators, team leaders, educators, and innovators from around the world. Notable speakers included Canva’s founders, award-winning talents like Cynthia Erivo and Jon Batiste, TED Radio Hour host Guy Raz, and design icon Debbie Millman, among others.

Why This Matters for Nonprofits

These new features put professional-level design and data tools in the hands of everyone, allowing nonprofits to focus more resources on their mission instead of production costs. When communications teams can create compelling impact reports, engaging donor materials, and program content more efficiently, it translates directly to stronger community connections and more effective advocacy for the causes they serve. For resource-constrained organizations, these tools don’t just save time and money — they amplify voices, share success stories more widely, and ultimately help advance positive social change.

Learn More

Watch the full keynote: Canva Create 2025 Keynote
Explore all new launches: Canva Create 2025 Launches
Check out Canva Create sessions: Sessions on Demand
Read highlights from the event: What Happened at Canva Create 2025

Why It Took So Long — and Why I’m More Committed Than Ever

Sandee Jackson — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:23:00 +0000

When I first shared plans to launch The Nonprofit Template Shop, I imagined it would happen quickly. That was almost five years ago.

Since then….well, life has been life-ing.

Not long after that announcement, I fell and broke my leg in two places, requiring a painful and difficult surgery. The following year brought an early-stage breast cancer diagnosis that required immediate treatment and an emotionally trying and physically challenging recovery. During that same season, someone close to me faced health challenges too, and much of my time and energy went toward healing — both mine and theirs.

But even before those personal challenges, the global pandemic had shifted everything about how nonprofits communicate. Suddenly, organizations that had relied on in-person events and printed materials needed to pivot entirely to digital communications — and fast. I watched nonprofits scramble to create consistent, professional-looking materials across new platforms and channels. That’s when the real need for streamlined design systems became crystal clear to me. I registered the domain name in December 2020, knowing this wasn’t just a nice-to-have anymore — it was essential.

These aren’t excuses — they’re the real-life chapters that shaped this journey. And through it all, I experienced firsthand what makes nonprofits essential:

I received care at a nonprofit hospital. I was supported by nonprofit professionals and volunteers who showed up with kindness and real expertise. I witnessed how nonprofits create safety nets exactly when people need them most.

These experiences deepened my commitment to this work. Because now I don’t just know professionally how important your communications are — I’ve felt personally how they reach people at critical moments.

The Nonprofit Template Shop is still happening, and it’s coming with more thought, more heart, and more practical insight than I initially imagined. Recently, I shared how I’m creating template collections (we call them campaign kits) that actually serve nonprofits, organized around five key categories that address real communication challenges. I’m building this to make your work a little easier — because I’ve seen up close how much you give and what a difference it makes.

Thank you for your patience and continued interest in this work. The journey has been longer than planned, but I promise what’s coming is worth the wait.

Digital Security for Nonprofits: Protecting Your Mission Online

The Nonprofit Template Shop — Tue, 25 Feb 2025 23:48:00 +0000

Digital security is a fundamental aspect of protecting your nonprofit’s mission, staff, volunteers, donors, and the communities you serve. Nonprofits often handle sensitive information, operate with limited resources, and can be targets for various cyber threats. This guide will walk you through essential digital security practices to help safeguard your organization in an increasingly complex digital landscape.

Why Digital Security Matters for Nonprofits

Protecting Sensitive Data: Nonprofits often collect and store personal information about program recipients, donors, volunteers, and staff. A data breach can have severe consequences, including reputational damage, legal liabilities, and a loss of trust.
Maintaining Operational Continuity: Cyberattacks can disrupt your organization’s operations, complicating your ability to deliver essential services, communicate effectively, or manage finances.
Safeguarding Financial Resources: Nonprofits can be targets for phishing scams, ransomware attacks, and other fraudulent activities that can drain valuable resources.
Preserving Trust and Reputation: A security incident can erode the trust of your stakeholders, making it harder to raise funds, attract volunteers, and fulfill your mission.
Navigating a Volatile Climate: In politically charged times, nonprofits and their staff may face increased scrutiny and potential online harassment. Proactive security measures can help mitigate these risks.

Part 1: Protecting your Online Presence and the Personal Information of Stakeholders

1. Think Before You Tag: Social Media Privacy

Understanding the Risks: Tagging the private accounts of individuals in social media posts from public organizational accounts can inadvertently expose their personal information and potentially link them to your organization in ways they may not desire. This can be a privacy invasion and, in sensitive contexts, even a safety concern.
Best Practices:
- Default to Untagged: Unless you have explicit consent from the individual, avoid tagging board members, staff, or volunteers in public social media posts.
- Privacy Settings are Key: Encourage your staff and volunteers to review and tighten the privacy settings on their personal social media accounts. They may wish to consider limiting who can see their posts, friend requests, and tagged photos.
- Consider Separate Professional Accounts: If staff members frequently engage online in their professional capacity, consider encouraging them to maintain separate professional social media accounts with appropriate privacy settings.
- Educate Your Audience: Briefly educate your followers about the potential privacy implications of tagging and encourage them to be mindful of their own settings.

2. Managing Public Exposure: Protecting Staff Information

Increased Scrutiny and Potential Harassment: In polarized times, nonprofits and their staff engaging in certain causes may face increased online scrutiny, doxing (revealing private information online), and even harassment.
Proactive Measures:
- Review Publicly Available Information: Conduct a review of your organization’s website and other public platforms to identify staff names, contact information (phone numbers, personal email addresses), and potentially sensitive details about their roles.
- Consider Removing or Limiting Information: Evaluate whether it’s necessary to publicly display individual staff contact information. For general inquiries, consider using a central organizational email address or phone number. You might opt to list team roles without specific names in certain sections.
- Provide Guidance on Personal Online Presence: Offer staff guidance on managing their personal social media and online presence, emphasizing caution about sharing opinions or affiliations publicly that could make them targets.
- Establish Reporting Mechanisms: Create clear channels for staff to report any instances of online harassment or threats they may experience.
- Prioritize Staff Safety: In high-risk situations, consider additional security measures and support for affected staff members.

Part 2: Strengthening your Internal Digital Security Practices

3. The Golden Rule: Never Share Logins

Why It’s Dangerous: Sharing logins creates numerous security vulnerabilities. It becomes impossible to track accountability for actions taken within an account, compromises audit trails, and makes it difficult to revoke access when someone leaves the organization.
Best Practices:
- Individual Accounts for Everyone: Ensure each staff member, and volunteer who needs access to organizational systems (email, databases, software) has their own unique login credentials.
- Utilize Role-Based Access: Implement role-based access control, granting individuals only the permissions necessary to perform their job duties.
- Educate Your Team: Clearly communicate the importance of not sharing logins and the potential security risks involved.

4. Password Power: Creating and Managing Strong Passwords

The First Line of Defense: Strong, unique passwords are crucial for protecting your accounts from unauthorized access.
Best Practices:
- Length Matters: Aim for passwords that are at least 12 characters long, ideally longer.
- Embrace Complexity: Use a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.
- Avoid Personal Information: Don’t use information like names, birthdays, pet names, or common words that others could easily guess in passwords.
- Unique Passwords for Every Account: Using the same password across multiple accounts means that if one account is compromised, all your accounts are at risk.
- Password Managers are Your Friend: Encourage the use of reputable password manager tools. These tools securely store complex, unique passwords and can automatically fill them in when needed.
- Regular Password Changes: Implement a policy of changing passwords regularly, at least every 90 days, and immediately if you suspect an account has been compromised.

5. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Everywhere Possible

Adding an Extra Layer of Security: In addition to your password, two-factor authentication requires a second form of verification when logging into an account. This could be a code sent to your phone, a biometric scan, or a security key.
Why It’s Essential: Even if a bad actor manages to obtain your password, they won’t be able to access your account without the second factor.
Prioritize 2FA: Enable 2FA on all critical organizational accounts, including email, cloud storage, banking platforms, social media, and any software used for sensitive data like donor or volunteer management.

6. Be Vigilant: Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing Scams

The Human Factor: Phishing attacks, which attempt to trick you into revealing sensitive information through deceptive emails, messages, or websites, are a common threat.
Red Flags to Watch For:
- Suspicious Sender Addresses: Be wary of emails from unfamiliar addresses or those that don’t quite match the legitimate sender’s domain.
- Generic Greetings: Phishing emails often use generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name.
- Urgent or Threatening Language: They may create a sense of urgency or threaten negative consequences if you don’t act immediately.
- Requests for Sensitive Information: Legitimate organizations will rarely ask for your passwords, financial details, or other sensitive information via email.
- Typos and Grammatical Errors: Phishing emails often contain noticeable spelling and grammar mistakes.
- Suspicious Links and Attachments: Hover your mouse over links before clicking to see the actual destination URL. Be cautious about opening unexpected attachments.
Best Practices:
- Verify Suspicious Requests: If you receive a suspicious email, especially one asking for sensitive information, verify its legitimacy by contacting the sender through a known, trusted channel; this may include calling the organization directly or reaching out via an email address found on their website.
- Don’t Click on Suspicious Links or Download Attachments: If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and avoid clicking or downloading.
- Report Phishing Attempts: Encourage staff and volunteers to report any suspected phishing emails to a designated IT contact or administrator.
- Regular Training: Conduct regular cybersecurity awareness training to educate your team about phishing and other common threats.

7. Keep your Software Updated

Patching Vulnerabilities: Software updates often include security patches that fix known vulnerabilities that cybercriminals could exploit.
Implement a Patch Management Process: Ensure that your operating systems, web browsers, antivirus software, and all other applications are regularly updated. Enable automatic updates whenever possible.

8. Secure your Devices

Laptops, Desktops, and Mobile Devices: All devices used for organizational work are potential entry points for cyber threats.
Best Practices:
- Lock Your Devices: Always lock your computer or mobile device with a strong password or biometric authentication when you step away, even for a moment.
- Install and Maintain Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software: Use reputable security software and keep it up to date.
- Be Careful on Public Wi-Fi: Avoid accessing sensitive organizational data like donor, staff, or volunteer information when connected to unsecured public Wi-Fi networks. Consider using a Virtual Private Network (VPN).
- Secure Physical Access: Protect physical access to your office and equipment to prevent unauthorized individuals from tampering with devices.
- Remote Wipe Capabilities: For laptops and mobile devices used for work, ensure they have remote wipe capabilities in case they are lost or stolen.

9. Back Up your Data Regularly and Securely

Disaster Recovery: Regular backups are essential for recovering your data in the event of a cyberattack, hardware failure, or natural disaster.
Best Practices:
- Implement a Backup Strategy: Determine what data needs to be backed up, how often, and where the backups will be stored.
- Multiple Backup Locations: Store backups in at least two different locations, including an offsite or cloud-based solution, to protect against physical damage to your primary location.
- Test Your Backups: Regularly test your backup and recovery process to ensure that you can restore your data effectively when needed.
- Encrypt Your Backups: Encrypt your backups to protect the sensitive information they contain.

10. Develop an Incident Response Plan

Being Prepared: Even with the best security measures in place, security incidents can still occur. Having a plan in place will help you respond quickly and effectively.
Key Elements of an Incident Response Plan:
- Identify Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly define who is responsible for different aspects of the response.
- Establish Communication Procedures: Outline how information will be shared during an incident.
- Define Incident Identification and Analysis Processes: Detail how potential security incidents will be identified, assessed, and categorized.
- Outline Containment, Eradication, and Recovery Steps: Describe the actions that will be taken to stop the incident, remove the threat, and restore normal operations.
- Include Post-Incident Analysis: After an incident, conduct a review to identify lessons learned and improve your security measures.

Part 3: Ongoing Commitment to Digital Security

Regular Training and Awareness: Cybersecurity is an ongoing process. Provide regular training and updates to your staff and volunteers on the latest threats and best practices.
Stay Informed: Keep abreast of emerging cybersecurity threats and trends relevant to nonprofits.
Review and Update Policies: Regularly review and update your digital security policies and procedures to ensure they remain effective.
Consider External Expertise: If your organization lacks in-house cybersecurity expertise, consider consulting with IT professionals or cybersecurity firms that specialize in working with nonprofits.

Protecting your nonprofit in the digital age requires a proactive and multi-faceted approach. By implementing the practices outlined in this post, you can significantly strengthen your digital security posture, safeguard your valuable data, maintain operational continuity, and ultimately better serve your mission and the communities you support. Remember that digital security for your nonprofit is not a one-time task but an ongoing commitment that requires vigilance, education, and adaptation in the face of evolving threats.

Working in Nonprofit Comms When the World Is on Fire

Sandee Jackson — Tue, 18 Feb 2025 19:34:45 +0000

There are seasons when being a nonprofit communicator feels like walking barefoot across hot pavement — every step requires what feels like an act of courage, every message feels like it forces a choice between truth-telling and protecting your peace. In turbulent political times like the one we’re in right now, when headlines blur together in a loop of uncertainty, the work doesn’t stop. The deadlines still exist. Your stakeholders still expect updates. Your community still needs your voice.

But maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’ve watched the news and cried in your car or your home office. Maybe you’ve even paused before hitting SEND on an email to your donors, wondering if it still matters. Maybe you’ve asked yourself, how do we even show up for this work right now?

I don’t have the perfect answer; I wish I did! What I do know is this: your organization’s work still matters. It mattered yesterday, and it matters today. In fact, when it feels like the world is on fire, it might matter more than it ever has.

As a nonprofit communicator, you tell the stories. We put a name to the harm we see while also holding hope high enough for everyone to see. We’re the ones who help translate the urgency of times like this into action. We create messages that invite people to believe in something bigger. It’s exhausting, yes, but it’s also vitally important.

Even so, we’re still human beings. We’re allowed to feel overwhelmed occasionally. We’re allowed to need rest, perspective, and space. We’re allowed to go silent for a moment, to retreat within, to ask for help. The world will keep moving, and its fires will be there when you return.

But if you’re feeling heavy right now, I see you. I’m with you because I’m feeling it too. And maybe this post isn’t a rallying cry, but a hand on your shoulder, a reminder that you’re not alone, a reminder that your burnout doesn’t mean you don’t care — it means you care deeply. And a reminder that you’re allowed to step back to step forward again.

If you’re looking for something more practical ways to feel inspired again, to reconnect with your creativity and sense of purpose, you might find this helpful: Nonprofit Comms Burnout? Here’s How to Get Inspired Again.

Keep doing what you can, when you can, with what you have. Let your messages carry truth, but also let them carry kindness — toward your community and yourself.

You don’t have to save the world with your emails, social captions, or blog posts.

You’re already showing up because it’s your job. What matters is how you show up. With clarity, when you can. With care, when it’s hard. With honesty, even when you’re super tired. You don’t have to bring your whole self every day, but when you can bring intention to the work, even in small ways, it’s enough.

If you’ve made it this far, thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts. I’ll leave you with a quote that may be helpful when the weight of it all feels too much. It’s ancient wisdom, but it seems to make sense here in the present:

“Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief.
Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now.
You are not obligated to complete the work,
but neither are you free to abandon it.”
— The Talmud

Share your own experiences in the comments, or reach out if you need support. We’re in this together.

How to Choose Photos that Reflect Your Nonprofit’s Community

The Nonprofit Template Shop — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 21:18:00 +0000

Strategic Considerations for Nonprofit Teams Using Stock Photography

Whenever possible, the most powerful photos in your nonprofit’s content will be the ones featuring real people — from your programs, your team, and your community. Custom photography builds trust, tells meaningful stories, and helps your audience connect with the impact of your work.

But we also know that using original photography isn’t always practical — or possible.

You might be navigating privacy concerns, protecting the identities of people you serve, or working without the time, budget, or consent processes to manage a photo library. In these moments, stock photography becomes a useful — and often necessary — tool.

That said, stock imagery comes with its own set of challenges. Many collections still fall short when it comes to authentic representation, and choosing visuals that align with your values takes more intentionality than people often realize.

This post offers a set of strategic considerations to help you use stock photography more thoughtfully, selecting images that reflect your mission and the people you serve, not just to fill a layout.

Reflect Your Community, Not a Generic Audience

It’s easy to default to what looks polished. But professionalism shouldn’t come at the expense of authenticity.

A rural food pantry doesn’t need images of upscale grocery stores. A nonprofit serving LGBTQ+ youth of color shouldn’t have to settle for vague, smiling stock groups that erase lived experience.

Choosing images that mirror your real community — their cultures, environments, expressions, and realities — helps make your content more trustworthy, relatable, and resonant.

Think Beyond One-Dimensional Representation

Diversity isn’t a checkbox. And yet, many stock libraries still operate from a limited and often surface-level view of what inclusion looks like.

To build a more representative visual presence, look for imagery that reflects the intersectionality within your community: body type, age, disability, gender identity, race, and socioeconomic background are just a few dimensions to consider. Layered, realistic representation matters.

Be Mindful of Story and Power

Photos don’t just depict people — they tell stories.

If your content only shows people as recipients of help, rather than as participants, leaders, caregivers, or changemakers, your visuals may be unintentionally reinforcing harmful or outdated narratives.

Choose images that honor dignity, agency, and joy, where people are the protagonists of their own lives, not props in your organization’s mission.

Focus on Consistency, Not One-Off Inclusion

Representation isn’t something to drop into one campaign and call it a day. The visuals you use across time in fundraising appeals, social posts, blog images, and even internal slides speak to your values more loudly than a single DEI feature ever could.

If you’re only showing diversity in your annual report or during awareness months, it may come across as performative. Authentic representation is consistent, not conditional.

Plan for Licensing and Long-Term Use

Stock photo libraries can change. Collections evolve. Photographers might shift the availability of their images from free to paid models, or remove their work from a platform entirely.

That’s why it’s so important to track the images your organization uses — where you found them, how they’re licensed, and where they appear in your materials.

#RepresentationMatters: A Guide to Inclusive Stock Photography for Nonprofits is a free resource we developed for nonprofits that includes a bonus image tracking spreadsheet to help you do just that, with space for attribution, licensing details, and usage notes.

Final Thoughts

Using stock photography isn’t a shortcut; it’s a strategic decision. When used thoughtfully, it can help you create visual stories that are inclusive, intentional, and aligned with your nonprofit’s values.

These considerations aren’t meant to add pressure; they’re here to support your nonprofit’s communications materials and content in showing up visually in ways that are respectful, relevant, and real.

If you haven’t yet downloaded your copy of the #RepresentationMatters guide, now’s a great time. It includes over 50 inclusive image sources and a ready-to-use photography log to help you stay organized as you build your content.