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14 weeks | AsynchronousDigital Nonprofit Communications Week 1
Welcome! Instructor Biography
I’m Kate, and I’ll be your instructor for this course. I have 15 years of communications experience in a variety of print and digital media. My communications work includes serving as the Director of Foundation Relations and Strategic Communications for PFund Foundation, as well as communications work with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State, Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Mayo Clinic, Infinite Balance PLLC, MacRostie Art Center, Melodee Strong Studios, mPower Northside Art Festival, and Tubman. I also own and operate my own boutique communications firm.
I have worked with a variety of media outlets over the course of my career, including collaborating extensively with the local and national press during my time working for the non-partisan Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State. I was the creative director for the award-winning TRANSCEND campaign for PFund Foundation. I also was the lead researcher and creative director on the groundbreaking SLAY Survey.
I have undergraduate degrees in English and environmental studies from Hamline University and an M.A. degree in sustainable design from Minneapolis College of Art and Design. I also hold a certificate in social media communications from Lightful Learning and am a graduate of the organization’s prestigious BRIDGE program for nonprofit communication professionals. Outside of work, I enjoy gardening, spoiling my cats, experimenting in the kitchen (I’ve home brewed kombucha and love fermenting my own kimchi), and long walks.
Week 1An Introduction to Nonprofit Messaging and Fundraising
OK, let’s start out with some basic terms and definitions. This class is about nonprofit organizations, which are also sometimes referred to as NGOs (None Governmental Organizations–this term is more common in the UK) or 501(c)3s (named after the part of the US tax code that defines nonprofits). You will be reading all about the history of nonprofits in the United States in an excerpt from Sarah Jaffe’s book Work Won’t Love You Back.
This week, we’re just starting to dip our toes into the world of nonprofits, communications, and fundraising. Every nonprofit has to figure out a way to raise enough funds to operate, and fundraising departments are a key component to keeping the lights on. (In the nonprofit sector, fundraising is also commonly known as “development” or “advancement” work.) Whereas businesses often focus their communications on advertising and marketing, nonprofits generally use their communications work to advance their mission and raise money for whatever causes they are championing.
We’re going to take some time reviewing case studies of nonprofit advertising campaigns–the good, the bad, and the ugly. And, we’ll get to know each other through our first virtual discussion. I’m looking forward to a lively conversation!
Read: Case StudiesRead: Discussion RulesRules for Virtual Discussions
Read: Book ExcerptWatch: Guest Speaker