How can a nonprofit do a better job of communicating the value of their efforts? The advice offered here would work offline or online.
Some evaluation needs to come first, then some planning . Take a few steps back and look at your idea as objectively as you can. Consider these questions: What would be the likely consequences immediately, within the year, in one to five years, after five years? You may find a weakness in what sounded like a great idea. You may find selling points that you had overlooked.
Any communications effort should start with some basic questions. These are mostly just common sense things, but should not be skipped.
1. What do you want your readers to do or think or believe?
2. How will other people respond to the idea?
3. What objections might there be?
4. What concerns might your "customers" have if they do what you want?
5. How much will this cost? How much time will it take? How inconvenient will it be?
6. Are you financially stable? Do you have the other resources you would need?
Consider a sample project and some of the questions you might want to answer for potential supporters.
The Project: Install solar and wind energy systems on low-income apartments operated by (a) the District of Columbia, (b) nonprofits that supply assisted living or low-income housing, and (c) for profits that provide below-market housing. The goal is to reduce pollution and make the district more self-sufficient. The claimed payoff for clients would be lower utility bills.
Exposure to "green" energy systems, that work seamlessly, will make people more willing to buy the systems in the future. Now, it might be hard to cost-justify such a system but that should change. In five years, there might be many systems installed that would not otherwise exist. The program might need to expand as other organizations, like area colleges or large nonprofits want to partner with us.
Providing free installation of small wind turbines could really cut the cost down.
How much will people save on their energy bills by installing these systems? Can you give a percentage?
How much of the cost will this organization absorb? Will you work only with property managers, or with low-income home owners too? They are all responsible for their energy bills so they have some incentive to look at ways to cut their electric bills. There are a couple of bits of information you will want to include in your online marketing materials.
These questions will help you further refine what you need to say. Whether you are raising money for this project or just using it to show how your nonprofit is working to make DC a better place to live people will appreciate having answers to these questions.
Some evaluation needs to come first, then some planning . Take a few steps back and look at your idea as objectively as you can. Consider these questions: What would be the likely consequences immediately, within the year, in one to five years, after five years? You may find a weakness in what sounded like a great idea. You may find selling points that you had overlooked.
Any communications effort should start with some basic questions. These are mostly just common sense things, but should not be skipped.
1. What do you want your readers to do or think or believe?
2. How will other people respond to the idea?
3. What objections might there be?
4. What concerns might your "customers" have if they do what you want?
5. How much will this cost? How much time will it take? How inconvenient will it be?
6. Are you financially stable? Do you have the other resources you would need?
Consider a sample project and some of the questions you might want to answer for potential supporters.
The Project: Install solar and wind energy systems on low-income apartments operated by (a) the District of Columbia, (b) nonprofits that supply assisted living or low-income housing, and (c) for profits that provide below-market housing. The goal is to reduce pollution and make the district more self-sufficient. The claimed payoff for clients would be lower utility bills.
Exposure to "green" energy systems, that work seamlessly, will make people more willing to buy the systems in the future. Now, it might be hard to cost-justify such a system but that should change. In five years, there might be many systems installed that would not otherwise exist. The program might need to expand as other organizations, like area colleges or large nonprofits want to partner with us.
Providing free installation of small wind turbines could really cut the cost down.
How much will people save on their energy bills by installing these systems? Can you give a percentage?
How much of the cost will this organization absorb? Will you work only with property managers, or with low-income home owners too? They are all responsible for their energy bills so they have some incentive to look at ways to cut their electric bills. There are a couple of bits of information you will want to include in your online marketing materials.
These questions will help you further refine what you need to say. Whether you are raising money for this project or just using it to show how your nonprofit is working to make DC a better place to live people will appreciate having answers to these questions.
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