Posts in Communications Campaigns
The real secret to coalition success
The real secret to coalition success

We’ve all felt that magic moment in a coalition meeting. That instant when two dozen different perspectives click into place behind a brilliant idea. We build coalitions for this very reason – to make change happen that can’t happen when we work in isolation. 

I’ve helped manage coalitions, led task forces and been just a quiet participant, so I've also seen the flip side of that magic: the drain of 50 reply-all email chains about scheduling, meetings that drag, alignment that never quite crystallizes. 

It’s no wonder this friction saps coalition members’ energy and stalls progress. Coalitions are often powered by passionate people squeezing this work in on top of demanding jobs.  

This brings me to the real secret of coalition building. A coalition is only as effective as its internal communications. How we communicate *internally* creates the trust and alignment needed to win *externally.* 

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Writing and Messaging, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisinternal communications, coalition communications, nonprofit coalition, communication strategy, meeting facilitation, email strategies, nonprofit leadership
From a not-for-profit to a yes-we-profit!
From a not-for-profit to a yes-we-profit!

Lately, we’ve seen an influx of nonprofit clients who are coming to us ready to turn their beloved programs into profit centers for their organization. Clients who are taking programs that have historically been paid for by foundations, and instead of solely relying on funding, figuring out ways to make them replicable, accessible and cheaper. 

They are rethinking their income streams. While doing that, they are reclaiming their own self-sufficiency. 

Ready to reclaim your non-profit’s power and become a yes-for-profit? Here are four phases and some questions to get you started.

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Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisnonprofit revenue, earned income for nonprofits, nonprofit sustainability, how to generate revenue for a nonprofit, nonprofit business models, fee for service nonprofit, social enterprise, nonprofit leadership, nonprofit mindset shift
3 tips to start Year-End Giving off right
3 tips to start Year-End Giving off right

Before I joined Forthright, I worked at a DC nonprofit for several years. In my role, I focused on our policy initiatives and external communications. But I also partnered closely with our talented development team. (Hats off to them – that work is not easy.) 

While it’s been nearly a decade since then, the key best practices I learned have stood the test of time. 

I’m sharing them with you here as many of us gear up for Year-End Giving season.

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Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsNiki Juhasznonprofit grant proposals, Year-End Giving Campaigns, building strong donor relationships, donor management, how to keep donors, how to keep supporters, nonprofit fundraising, fundraising
We dare you to say less
We dare you to say less

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.

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Digital and Social Media, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisnonprofit communications, advocacy, clear messaging, jargon, storytelling, call to action, strategic communications, simple writing, core messages, nonprofit leadership
Scaling a strong, consistent brand message
Scaling a strong, consistent brand message

You 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.

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Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisnonprofit marketing, branding, brand consistency, core messages, communications strategy, spokesperson training, marketing on a budget, public relations, nonprofit communications, small business branding, brand messaging, storytelling
Your 4-step advocacy playbook
Your 4-step advocacy playbook

It’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.

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Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Daviscall to action, audience targeting, nonprofit marketing, public affairs, campaign strategy, advocacy campaign, storytelling, nonprofit, strategic communications, social impact, messaging
Get cooking on LinkedIn 📈
Get cooking on LinkedIn 📈

In 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?

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Communications Campaigns, Digital and Social MediaKatie Test DavisLinkedInStrategy, NonprofitComms, DigitalStrategy, LinkedInforNonprofits, SocialMediaStrategy, ContentStrategy
🤖 Is AI helping supporters find your org?
🤖 Is AI helping supporters find your org?

Is 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.

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Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, Writing and MessagingKatie Test DavisAI for nonprofits, ChatGPT, AI optimization, mission-driven messaging, nonprofit communications, foundation communications
How to get your board's buy-in
How to get your board's buy-in

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.

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Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisnonprofit communications, nonprofit board, board members, communications planning, communication goals, strategic communications, getting buy-in, nonprofit leadership
How to fund comms through grants
How to fund comms through grants

You’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. 

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Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Storytelling, Nonprofit Communications, Communications CampaignsNiki Juhasznonprofit grant proposals, grant proposal best practices, communications in grant proposals, nonprofit communications, nonprofit grant writing, how to write a nonprofit grant proposal
The lawn sign that changed my life
The lawn sign that changed my life

It’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: 

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Nonprofit Communications, School District Marketing, Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Communications Campaigns, Writing and MessagingNiki Juhaszbillboard best practices, lawn sign best practices, smart marketing for nonprofits, smart marketing for associations, smart marketing for foundations, how to catch my audience's attention
Unlock your advocacy role
Unlock your advocacy role

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. 

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Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisyour role in the revolution, social change ecosystem map, Deepa Iyer, cp, communications campaign planning, coalition mapping, coalition roles, storytelling, storytelling for nonprofits
Why I’ve got LFG energy
Why I’ve got LFG energy

I’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.

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Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisnonprofit advocacy right now, how to move our advocacy forward, nonprofit storytelling campaigns, association storytelling campaigns, foundation storytelling campaigns, storytelling best practices, social media advocacy
How to find your trusted messengers
How to find your trusted messengers

In 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.

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Brand/Materials Creation, Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsEmily Swartzlandertrust, messengers, trusted messengers, messaging, audience research, core messaging, audiences, know your audience, finding the right messenger, identifying the best messenger
Why your people are stuck + how to fix it
Why your people are stuck + how to fix it

People 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.

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Most Popular, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, About ForthrightKatie Test Davisflooding the zone, overwhelming your audiences, freeze mode, messaging clearly, simplify your messaging, building clarity in messaging, single ask messaging
Unlock stronger coalition comms with a unified brand
Unlock stronger coalition comms with a unified brand

A 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.

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Most Popular, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, About ForthrightKatie Test Davisbrands, branding for advocates, coalitions, coalition comms, advocacy, partnership, how to brand, branding coalitions, coalition branding best practices
Perfect your post-conference email
Perfect your post-conference email

It’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.  

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Nonprofit Communications, Digital and Social Media, Communications CampaignsKatie Test Davisconference, email best practices, association conference best practices, nonprofit conference best practices, your conference email sequence, how to send smart conference emails, what to send after your conference
Our best project management tips
Our best project management tips

You 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.

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Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, School District MarketingNiki Juhaszsmart nonprofit project management, how to get design feedback, how to plan a nonprofit project, smart foundation project management, smart association project management, association communications, foundation communications
Calling coalitions: 3 steps to advocate effectively
Calling coalitions: 3 steps to advocate effectively

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.

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Nonprofit Communications, Writing and Messaging, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications CampaignsEmily Swartzlandercoalitions, advocacy, coalition comms, toolkits, logic model, partnerships, network, advocates
Get the right eyes on your new report
Get the right eyes on your new report

So 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. 

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Digital and Social Media, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test Davisreport, report release, report writing for nonprofits, public relations for research reports, data visualization for reports, education research dissemination, nonprofit report release strategy, early childhood policy report, how to engage stakeholders with data, visualizing data in education reports