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Nonprofit Writing 101: Fundraising to Social Media
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    Nonprofit Writing 101: Fundraising to Social Media

    Special Writing for Special Causes

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    By Joanne Fritz
    Updated February 14, 2017

    We have all received a fundraising appeal that went right to our heart with its direct language, touching stories, and a call to action we could not resist.

    So who does that writing? A small army of people could be writing for a nonprofit, from copywriters to grant writers, to people specializing in social media content. Today's nonprofit writer has to cover a lot of bases and be technically proficient as well. Content, from letters to Facebook posts, rules the nonprofit world just as surely as it does the commercial sphere.

    Here are some guidelines, tips, and samples that you and your staff can draw on to make you best pitches to the people who support you.

  • 01
    Writing to Fundraise

    Autism Speaks Fundraising Event.
    ••• Autism Speaks

    Fundraising is the center of your nonprofit life. Most donations are made by individuals, not companies, not foundations. Being able to reach your donors' hearts makes all the difference. Check out these guides to writing for donors.

    How to Use Personality Theory to Reach More Readers

    How to Make Your Fundraising Letters Personable, Specific, and Easy-to-Read

    Examples of Direct Mail Fundraising Letters that Reach the Heart

    10 Tips for Writing Better Donor Thank You Letters

    5 Thank You Letters that Donors Will Love

    How to Write Email Newsletters That Make People Want to Give

    How to Write Stories that Will Capture Donors' Hearts 

  • 02
    Writing for Nonprofit Public Relations/Marketing

    mediastar.jpg
    ••• Abel Mitja Varela/Vetta/Getty Images

    Just because we live in a social media world doesn't mean that all the older forms of media have disappeared. You'll need to be muti-dimensional and keep writing like a PR/marketing pro. These articles will help you be a PR ninja.

    Sample Press Release for Nonprofit

    6 Content Ideas to Make Your Nonprofit Website Pop

    How to Write Outstanding Marketing Materials 

    Writing an Annual Report That Appeals to Today's Donors

    How to Write the Ultimate Nonprofit Mission Statement

    Examples of  Knock Your Socks Off Mission Statements

  • 03
    Grant Writing

    planninggrants.jpg
    ••• Grant writers should participate in developing the overall communications plan for their organizations. Getty Images

    Although grant writing is not a financial cure-all, most successful charities do include grants in their fundraising plans. Writing an effective grant proposal is both an art and a science. Dig in with these tips.

    How to Write a Winning Grant Proposal in 11 Steps​

    8 Ways to Become a Super Organized Grant Writer​

    How to Develop a Grant Proposal Writing Process

    5 Things You Should Not Do in Your Grant Proposal

    How to Write a Letter of Inquiry (LOI) to a Foundation​ (Plus Example)​

  • 04
    Writing for Social Media

    Group of young people taking a selfie.
    ••• svetikd/E+/Getty Images

    Writers today have had to add social media skills to their toolboxes. Don't underestimate the care needed for social media, from Facebook to Mobile.  It requires writing talent, the ability to strategize, and technical know-how.  Here's how to do it all well.

    11 Steps to a Successful Nonprofit Social Media Strategy

    9 Ways Nonprofits Can Succeed With Social Media Ads

    7 Things Successful Nonprofits Do On Pinterest

    A Minimalist Guide to Nonprofit Social Media: Rock 3 Online Venues

    7 Ways Organizations Can Get Started with Mobile Fundraising

  • 05
    Email Writing

    Save the Children raises funds with a matching gift appeal.
    ••• Screenshot from Save the Children Email

    Email is so not dead! It is, in fact, one of the most efficient ways to market anything, including good causes. Email is useful for newsletters, fundraising appeals, and thank you notes. Here are some ways to make the most of are some ways to make the most of your charity's email.

    Email Newsletters That Make People Want to Give

    How to Thank a Donor by Email - 5 Best Practices

    Examples of Email Thank-You Letters

    Online Fundraising: A Startup Guide

    8 Ways to Use Your Nonprofit's Email List to Raise More Money

    11 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Thank Donors With Social Media

  • Annual report from Save the Children

    10 Tips for Writing an Excellent Nonprofit Annual Report

  • Infographic for a nonprofit oganization.

    How Nonprofits Can Inspire Supporters With Infographics

  • Homepage for Every Mother Counts.

    16 Examples of Modern Mission Statements for Today's Donors

  • Ad to persuade people to stop drinking sugary soda.

    How Nonprofits Sell Behavior Change

  • Group of people in office discussing a chart.

    8 Ways Your Nonprofit Can Do Market Research

  • Woman reporter in a newsroom.

    How to Hook a Reporter With a Nonprofit Story Idea

  • Media covering a hot story.

    10 Tips for Getting Local Media Attention for Your Nonprofit

  • workingonpressrelease.jpg

    How Press Releases Still Work for Nonprofits

  • Facebook page for EarthJustice

    Taglines and Mission Statements That Play Well Together

  • Breaking News Graphic.

    Your Next Crisis Is Just Around the Corner - Get Ready Now

  • Man amazed at online story.

    How to Take Your Nonprofit Story Online in 9 Easy Steps

  • Brainstorming session.

    How to Create a Memorable Name for Your Nonprofit

  • pressrelease1500.jpg

    How Do You Format a Nonprofit Press Release?

  • onlinefundraising.jpg

    11 Essentials of Online Fundraising for Nonprofits

  • Woman reading a piece of paper

    8 Ways to Create Print Materials Your Older Donors Want To Read

  • Children in Nepal who have been helped by World Vision.

    No More Free Lunch: How Paid Social Ads Can Work for Your Nonprofit

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