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 MorePress releases are still a fast and easy way to get your news out to lots of media outlets at once.
They're perfect for announcing simple, factual news, especially when you're short on time and can't send individual pitches.
Here are a few tips and tricks to create an effective press release in 2025 (no fax machine needed):
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 MoreIt’s a familiar feeling. You know the one…
“OOPS! We completely forgot. It’s time to do that project again.”
It sounds like…
“Oops – we totally forgot to start on the Annual Report and now we need to run a sprint to meet the big donor meeting deadline.”
“Oops – we forgot to do our yearly update of the website, and now an important policy partner is reviewing last year’s outdated information.”
It’s the WORST! I hate it when an annual project that you KNOW (gosh darn it!) happens every year sneaks up on you, and you’re left scrambling to get it done.
So let’s make a pact – eh? This year will be the last year that projects sneak up on you from behind and spook you into action. Here’s how to prevent the dreaded scramble.
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 MoreThe Forthright team just got back from sunny Orlando, Florida, for the annual Krimes Against Kids conference.
It’s a powerful event that brings together everyone from law enforcement and child protective services to survivor advocates.
Honestly, being in a room with so many people dedicated to protecting children was just incredible. As a firm that only works with organizations that help kids and families, we left feeling totally inspired.
Niki and I even had the chance to present on a topic we're incredibly passionate about: Reaching Families Without Internet Access.
In a world that’s so online, it’s crucial to remember that not everyone has the same level of connectivity.
Read MoreSo you’re going to host an event. And…you think it’d be great if local reporters were there.
Time for a media advisory!
Media advisories are essentially a heads-up to journalists about an upcoming event, such as a media briefing or a conference presentation. (Not to be confused with a press release – media alerts are much more basic.)
Today, we’ll break down when to use them, share some tips and even show you a (Harry Potter-themed) sample…
We’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 MoreThe average lifespan of a website is 2 years and 7 months, according to OrbitMedia.
Which probably makes you wonder…When was the last time you updated your organization’s website?
My guess is that it’s been longer than 2 years.
Is it time for a website update or redesign? Maybe.
Here’s how to tell.
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 MoreData shows that a little happy goes a long way, from building stronger teams to reducing negative feelings overall. Today, we’re sharing how we share the happy at Forthright, along with research-backed tips for how you can share the happy within your own organization!
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.
I’ll say it – things are pretty 🍌 bananapants 👖right now.
That means we have to adjust how we work and what we share to meet the moment.
That’s why today, we’re talking about a new challenge we’re seeing under the current administration – along with your specific next steps to adjust.
