How To Do Anything: Nonprofit Professional Edition

Lindsay and I are both big fans of the lifestyle blog Cup of Jo, which has absolutely nothing to do with our work with nonprofits, but often provides us with a lovely five minute mental break when we’re deep in a project like writing key messages or developing a strategic plan.

This week, we’re taking a page out of Joanna’s book and sharing 40 of our favorite posts and resources that will help you learn how to do just about anything you may encounter as a nonprofit professional, from naming your organization to acquiring donors online.

Leadership

How to involve your board in strategic planning and other big decisions.

How to engage your stakeholders without fostering a consensus culture.

How to find the right nonprofit consultant.

How to embed core values in your nonprofit’s culture, once and for all.

How to manage change.

Marketing and Communications

How to build a nonprofit marketing plan.

How to set your nonprofit’s marketing budget.

How to conduct a marketing audit.

How to secure media coverage.

How to move toward strength-based communication.

Branding

How to build a strong nonprofit brand.

How to choose a nonprofit name.

How to decide whether a rebrand is worth the risk.

How to make the branding process more effective.

How to develop key messages to support your nonprofit’s brand,

Strategy

How to build a strategic plan.

How to create a theory of change.

How to create a logic model.

How to build an operational plan (and differentiate it from your strategic plan).

How to engage the people you serve in shaping your strategy.

How to prioritize among your nonprofit’s (many, important) goals.

How to set pillars and OKRs in your strategic plan.

How to prepare for a productive strategic planning process.

Fundraising

How to build a fundraising plan.

How to create a case for support.

How to develop a campaign concept or “hook” for your fundraising campaign.

How to acquire new donors online.

How to prepare for end-of-year fundraising success.

How to leverage storytelling in your fundraising.

How to align marketing and fundraising.