Marketing Basics for Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits are unique organizations for many reasons, including how they approach marketing. This can be both a benefit and a challenge for the professionals marketing for nonprofits. Let’s take a look at what makes charities different and how they can make the most of their digital marketing.

What makes nonprofit marketing different?

• Your organization has a mission
• Closely tied with fundraising.
• Sometimes slower to adapt to technology
• Organizations more willing to share with each other. Less competitive.

What challenges do nonprofit marketers face?

• Limited budget & resources. Marketing is viewed as overhead.
• Limited staff. Even large nonprofits tend to be understaffed.
• Lots of different audiences. Having to appeal to all of them.
• Marketers have to do most of the work themselves.

The way we think about charity is dead wrong— a TED Talk by Dan Pallotta

What are the benefits of marketing a nonprofit?

• A mission that people (hopefully) like.
• Volunteer help. Guidance from your board.
• Easy calls to action. Donate. Volunteer. Come to an event.
• Digital tool discounts (or free)!

What resources can a nonprofit marketer use?

• Georgia Center for Nonprofits
• Nonprofit Marketing Guide
• Classy

5 Ways Nonprofit Organizations Benefit from Digital Marketing