Starting my career in policy, I loved the long and winding wonky road. I believed more detail meant more credibility, and my early training taught me to love a 10-dollar word instead of a perfectly perfect 10-cent word. Our most important job, especially in 2025, is to be generous with our audience's time. That means doing the hard work of making our message simple. Here’s how to make it happen.
Read MoreYou are ambitious.
You want everyone to know your organization – you want the front page of the paper, the brightest billboard in Times Square, every celebrity endorsement.
You need to ensure you have a strong, consistent brand message. Yet you’re a small nonprofit., so (of course) you’ve got caviar dreams on a tuna fish budget.
You know what we say to that? Keep dreaming big.
Here’s our guide to making a big brand splash with a small team.
Read MoreIt’s not just you. It’s… uh… very LOUD out there lately.
In a media landscape buzzing with endless options and digital noise, how do you make sure your organization is heard?
This quick guide will walk you through a proven framework to build a campaign that not only gets noticed, but gets results.
Let's get to work.
Read MoreIn the advocacy world, LinkedIn feels like The Place to Be right now. Partners, funders, nonprofit leaders… decision-makers are all in the room, and the conversation is not quiet.
Maybe your executive director shares bold takes, or your VP of Programs highlights on-the-ground partners.
❓But, is your organization’s LinkedIn page doing what it should be?
If LinkedIn is the room where it happens, are you using this space to drive connections with the people who matter most and the people who make decisions … or is it more like a bulletin board without a strategy?
Read MoreIs it just us or is the conversation about AI… a lot?
Yes, AI is quickly changing the way supporters and advocates connect with your mission. Today, we’re walking you through what this shift means and what you can do about it.
Read MoreWe’ve all been there. You and your team have poured endless hours into crafting the perfect communications strategy or advocacy plan. You’re proud, you’re excited… but there’s one last step: bringing it to your board.
As a leader at a foundation or nonprofit, you know that board buy-in is so much more than a rubber stamp or a vote of approval. You want early, sustained trust and partnership that turns a great plan into a smashing success. Getting to that feeling of being "all in" together is the result of a thoughtful, ongoing process.
Here are four simple shifts in the way you work to get that process in motion and earn that buy-in… every time.
Read MoreYou’re working on that big grant proposal. I’m talking hours of research, planning and writing to craft that perfect pitch. But before you send it, wait! Did you remember to budget for actually telling people about the great work you’ll do if you win the funding?
Today, I’m sharing why you should include communications in your grant proposal.
Read MoreIt’s finally – FINALLY starting to warm up. (Your girl is not meant for the winter.) That means some days, I’ll take a lunch run to enjoy the sunshine.
I was on one of these runs last week, bored and thinking about needing to mix up my exercise routine. And then I passed a lawn sign. It simply said:
Free Outdoor Workout Classes
And then included a QR code.
While I’ve been a TAD dramatic saying it changed my life, this is brilliant marketing.
Here’s why:
Deepa has supported and led social justice work for over two decades with a focus on immigrant communities. Currently, she is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Building Movement Project where she develops programs and narratives on solidarity and social movements.
Figuring out where you fit as an advocate – and how you can make the most positive impact – can be tough, especially when things are changing. Every. Single. Day.
We see this challenge, and we simply say: Game on.
That’s why I recently interviewed author, lawyer and activist Deepa Iyer. Deepa is the brilliant mind behind the Social Change Ecosystem Map (pictured above).
This tool helps you (and your organization) find your place in the justice and equity-focused movements we work within every day.
During our conversation, Deepa shared how to find your footing in turbulent times.
We’re including Deepa’s thoughts (from her point of view!) below.
Read MoreI’ve heard many experts compare the first few months of 2025 to the first few months of the COVID pandemic. People are feeling unsure, overwhelmed, confused and paralyzed. (That’s by design, by the way.) Yet, we learned during COVID that pausing your outreach and communications work is the wrong choice.
While we may need to shift our work – to change it to meet the moment – coming to a standstill is ultimately harmful for our communities. Here’s what you should do next.
Read MoreIn times of mistrust, it’s time to call in the reinforcements and boost your trusted messenger game.
Messengers are the people who influence your target audiences. They can support your work in a variety of ways – from sharing your posts on social media, to posting about your programs on their neighborhood listservs to sponsoring your programs.
Trusted messengers are people, or groups of people, your audiences are most likely to listen to. We’re sharing more strategies to harness their power in this blog.
Read MorePeople are ready to fight back. They are ready to help. They are ready to "make good trouble."
Your audiences are looking for someone to tell them what to do.
If you’re a nonprofit or association leader, the person they are looking to is YOU. 🫵We’re sharing tips for how to do empower them today.
Read MoreA few weeks ago, I wrote about how coalitions can improve advocacy efforts by aligning around core messages and creating easy-to-use resources to better reach your audiences.
Today, I want to talk about the next step in successfully communicating about your coalition: creating a coalition brand.
Read MoreIt’s the last day of your conference. You’ve been pounding the hotel hallways and working from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. You’re exhausted and ready to sleep in your own bed. But there’s just one thing left to do – send the final, perfect email to cap off your perfect conference.
Here are four tips to hit a game-winning home run for your last email to conference attendees.
Read MoreYou worked so hard on that campaign. It’s so, so close to finished…and then someone comes in and blows it all up. 💥
We’ve all been there. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You CAN have smooth processes and easy review rounds. We promise a brighter future exists.
Today, we’re sharing three tips – tactics we use with our own clients – to make sure your projects have a clear process and a clean launch.
How do we do it? Let’s dive into our special sauce.
Coalitions have the power to create real, lasting change for children and families. And in times of uncertainty (like – you know – right now), coalitions can be particularly powerful.
But to create successful advocacy campaigns, coalitions need thoughtful, data-backed communications that work for all partners involved. On top of that, coalition leaders must ensure your work together is aligned so audiences can understand your vision and know how to take action and support your efforts.
Fortunately, coordinating your coalition’s communications work is as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Read MoreSo you have new data, and you want to share that information with the world!
A report release can be a wonderful way to get eyes on your organization. But, take it from me – as someone who LOVES a good, ole’ fashioned report release – they can be a TON of work.
Before you start putting pen to paper, I want to share a few key questions to ask yourself as you prepare for your own report release.
Read MorePolitical transitions can feel like drinking from a firehose. Headlines spark fear, social feeds rile people up, and your team looks to leadership wondering: should we say something about this?
Over the next few months, the noise is only going to get louder and louder.
But here's the thing – you can’t sprint against the wind for months or years at a time.
And you definitely can't let each bill proposal or sound bite throw your communications strategy out of whack and put your team on the defensive line.
Here are three tips to prevent your team from living in reaction mode for the next year (or four).
Read MoreAs child and family advocates, I understand what we’re up against in 2025 (and beyond) and… I’m feeling energized.
The challenges ahead of us are communications challenges, and at Forthright, we’re poised to meet the moment.
Here’s what I see as the work ahead:
Read MoreParents and caregivers need our help.
I’ve led work that supports parents and caregivers for two decades.
I’ve also been a parent for nearly 13 years.
And over time, I’ve noticed a growing trend. Parents and caregivers are overworked, overstressed and overwhelmed – and it’s impacting their health.
As communicators and leaders, there are three easy guidelines you can follow to ensure your messages break through the noise to reach this overwhelmed (but critical!) audience.
Read More
