Communication plan for nonprofit

Outreach involves having a custom plan designed and deployed to reach out to all stakeholders of an organization with a view to amplify organizational presence across multiple channels over a sustained period of time leading to measurable change in reputation, reach and impact.

Why do you need a Communications / Outreach Plan?

Being intentional with your internal and external nonprofit communications will advance your mission, inspire your stakeholders, and increase your impact. Effective communications also demonstrate to the public you serve that you have a healthy organization. This instills trust in your organization.  

Internal communication is essential to smooth and effective operations as well as to prevent conflict or to manage conflict positively. Internal communications also set the tone for excellent external communication. 

A nonprofit should have a clearly defined, written communication plan that guides both internal and external communications and supports the comprehensive organizational plan. 

INTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS:

PYM can collaborate with you to develop Communications Guidelines which guide all internal communications. The guidelines should include how the board communicates with its CEO, establish regularly scheduled meetings between the CEO and Board Chair, include the favored means of providing updates to the board by the CEO, establish the format for board meetings, and provide a procedure for making suggestions or complaints.

You can find FREE COMMUNICATION TEMPLATES on the FREE STUFF page

EXTERNAL COMMUNICATIONS:

A Strategic Communications Plan is suggested for external communications and necessary to attract and retain stakeholders; raise public awareness; and increase understanding, commitment, and funding for the organization. 

· The Plan should include a written procedure that stipulates who has the authority to make public statements on behalf of the organization and the procedures for developing the statements. 

· The Plan should effectively promote your mission, connect you with those you serve, your donors, your partners and the broader community.

· The Plan should integrate your outreach efforts, set priorities and aid your nonprofit in focusing your resources on the most important tasks

· The Plan should ensure that your nonprofit presents a strong, positive public image.

· The Plan should include your goals, objectives, strategies and tools for impact measurement. It will help you to identify your audiences and how to move those audiences to action

Advocacy Plan: If your organization advocates to the public, legislature or others, let PYM help to develop an Advocacy Plan that guides decision making regarding when it is appropriate and considered a benefit to use your organization’s resources to advocate

Telling Your Story in a compelling manner and which inspires your audience to act is an art form. Whether the action you desire your audience to take is donating funds, volunteering, or advocating for you, they will be moved to act when they emotionally connect to your mission through story. Services include Story Inventory, Story Collection, and Storytelling. 

***Learn about my short storytelling course.

Communications play a role in all your activities; in your fundraising efforts, programs, education and advocacy. Every communication you distribute should be guided by a strategy that integrates all your efforts and efficiently focuses your resources. Every communication you deliver should tell your story in a manner that inspires action. And all communications should be consistent across platforms. Let Power your Mission help coordinate and activate your communications.