Many of us as consumers see the for-profit sector positioning their brands to have great purpose. Similarly, now more than ever — with so many nonprofits, funding competition, and increased media messaging — it’s nonprofits that need to stand out and inspire donors.

Last month, we hosted a webinar for the Association of Donor Relations Professionals where we shared how we differentiate purpose, vision, and mission. Here are the highlights!

If your nonprofit is rebranding, here’s our three-step process:

If you are refining your core brand language and want to facilitate a team consensus-building process:  immerse, brainstorm, and evaluate.

Start by asking your core branding team these essential questions:

• Why do we want to write or revise our mission or vision statement?
• What does success mean to the team? What’s your vision for your best possible future?
• We are defined by…? And why?
• What makes us different from other organizations in our category (what is our one and only)? And why?
• What stands in our way the most?
• What is our intention as a brand?
• How have we truly made a positive impact on society?

Contact us to learn more about our fundraising, branding, and training services.

CREDIT:  Graphics by Diane DePaolis

“Our staff particularly appreciated learning concrete skills in Katherine’s grant-writing workshop, including the importance of building relationships with funders and of having anecdotes on hand that exemplify program success.”Carol Ripple, City University of New York, former director of special projects