Nonprofit Communications & PR Firm | Nonprofit Marketing Agency | Forthright Advising

Need to secure general operating support? Here's how.

Nobody believes in the importance of your work like you do, and with a few smart strategies, your commitment can be beautifully expressed with big time results.

Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisMay 27, 2021nonprofit

This Mother’s Day, let’s give moms what they really need

Our moms are not okay. As we head toward our second Mother’s Day during COVID-19, America’s mothers are in crisis. They have been for months. While fathers are taking on some of the caregiving responsibilities, study after study has shown that it’s mothers who are bearing the brunt. The challenges we’re facing aren’t new. But they are exacerbated by the pandemic. And it’s time for change.

Nonprofit Communications, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisMay 4, 2021nonprofit, family engagement, holidays

4 Research-backed Tips to Crafting Motivating Stories

By making storytelling an integral part of your communications, you can build strong relationships with your community, funders and partners. And, you can highlight stories across any channel—sharing them on social media, incorporating story call outs in your annual report or including them when pitching media contacts. Check out our four research-backed tips (and examples) for effective storytelling.

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Brand/Materials Creation, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsNiki JuhaszApril 15, 2021communication, core messaging, communications tips

Are you harnessing the power of video?

Even before staying at home became the new normal, video was a top marketing trend. And a recent Nielsen report showed that adults spent at least 35 minutes per day watching video on phones, tablets, or computers.

You can capture some of these eyes by incorporating video into your upcoming communication campaigns.

Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Communications Campaigns, StorytellingKatie Test DavisApril 15, 2021communication, core messaging, communications tips, video

The Myth of the “Disengaged” Parent

Today, we’re challenging this narrative in our work and want to help you do the same, informed by fresh data and new research on school-family engagement. Why? Because we know that the moment district leaders like you reject this myth, something amazing happens. You can begin the hard work of developing compassionate and effective strategies to reach every family.

School District Marketing, Accessibility, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test DavisMarch 25, 2021education, community building

Why People Can't Find Your Website

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a vast and seemingly endless topic. But, with more than half of all web visits coming from unpaid search, SEO—which helps make your website easier to find for people—is an important strategy for every organization. So, in typical Forthright fashion, we’ve done the research so you don’t have to. Here are your “must knows!”

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Accessibility, Digital and Social Media, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisMarch 22, 2021nonprofit, SEO

Two Reasons to Thank Your Donors Today

When an organization reaches out to supporters just to say thank you—without making an ask—supporters feel more connected with the organization, building both future giving (or partnerships!) and their relationship with the nonprofit. Building these relationships with your supporters and partners is critical year-round. We’re including specific tips on how to do so here.

Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Writing and MessagingNiki JuhaszMarch 1, 2021nonprofit, fundraising, Messaging

Instantly Improve Your Outreach Through Empathy

As communicators and leaders, we’re constantly having to put ourselves in other people’s shoes. At the heart of good communication is empathy—anticipating how our audience will receive information, and then customizing our approach based on that. I’m sharing my advice for how to do this here!

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisFebruary 3, 2021messaging

The Five Things You NEED to Know About Your Target Audience

When you know what audiences value about your work and their barriers to accessing your services, you can make smart, informed communications decisions. Ideal audience profiles enable you to speak to your audiences' unique values, address their pain points and share information on channels they frequently use.

Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Writing and MessagingKatie Test DavisDecember 1, 2020communications, target audiences

Why No One is Listening

We’ve heard from many of you that you’re struggling to break through the noise and that your audiences “just aren’t getting it.” You’re not alone. Right now, our brains are busy juggling uncertainty, stress and anxiety. That’s why we’re sharing two tips to help you reach your audiences.

Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Storytelling, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisOctober 15, 2020core messaging, messaging, crisis communications

Three Things Education Leaders Can Do to Build Trust

As one of our experts in education leadership, Forthright consultant Ashley tackles today's hottest topic: trust. Here, she offers three key steps you can take to ensure your outreach builds trust for your community.

School District Marketing, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisOctober 15, 2020leadership, management, communication

73 Percent of Americans Prefer THIS Communications Tactic

A recent Chronicles of Philanthropy report shared that your supporters and families want to hear from you during this pandemic. We’re sharing one of the best ways to communicate with them—and as always, we’re sharing the data behind our specific recommendations.

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Accessibility, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisAugust 4, 2020direct mail marketing, crisis communications

Behind the Scenes: The First 3 Questions We Ask Any New Client

We’ve ALL had to adjust to our new reality—and in many cases, that means hitting reset on a campaign to ensure we’re focusing on what’s most important to our target audiences and clients RIGHT NOW, building messaging to meet their needs and moving our priorities forward. That’s why today, we’re taking you behind-the-scenes by revealing the first three questions we ask at the start of any new project. (Or when recalibrating.)

Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisMay 25, 2020project management, campaigns, communication

A 95 Percent Open Rate? Why Texting Should Be in Your PR Toolbox.

The average email open rate ranges between 15-25 percent. SMS messages are opened more than 95 percent of the time. That’s a crazy stat! Forthright team member Lauren breaks down why texting is a critical communications tool—now more than ever.

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, AccessibilityForthright AdvisingMay 6, 2020texting, crisis communication, tips

How You Can Combat Fake News and Rumors in a Crisis

We don’t have to tell you that families and school staff have a lot going on right now. Searching for information—and wondering what they can trust—just adds to their stress. That's why we’re sharing tips to ensure your audience sees and trusts your messaging.