Brian Sooy's Blog, page 10

Nonprofits, Philanthropy and Net Neutrality

If I walked into the local pub and sat down at the bar, I'm wondering about the blank stares I would get if I asked about net neutrality.

If I walked into the local pub and sat down at the bar, I'm wondering about the blank stares I would get if I asked the person sitting next to me, "So, how about that net neutrality thing?"

(Since the topic is in the news again, I'm reposting an updated version of an article originally written in 2006.)

I'm positive the entire bar would go silent, and barrin...

The difference between your purpose and mission

If you want your audience to connect with your mission, you need to be clear about why you do what you do, and how you do it, in a manner meaningful to your audience.

I receive a daily email from In The Company of Prayer, with insights from business leaders on how their faith impacts their companies and business relationships.

A recent email from the executive editorLeslie Biancoconcluded with the following statements:

WHY: We're here to guide each other that one step further along a personal...

Two Perspectives on Digital Publishing

Digital publishing is an effective way for nonprofits and grant making organizations (such as community foundations and other philanthropies) to create inspiring and informative design and communication pieces.

We’ve had many inquiries recently about digital publishing with Adobe InDesign and the Adobe Digital Publishing Suite, Single Edition (DPS). DPS extends the publishing workflow for colleges and universities to recruit and retain students. Digital publishing is also an effective way for...

Speaking with One Voice

Every ambassador needs to speak with one voice when they represent the cause, and everyone has the potential to be an ambassador.

"I wish I would not have said that." How many times have you thought that, after the fact?

This might have been what E. Gordon Gee, President of The Ohio State University, thought after remarks he made in the past few weeks.

In attempting to bring levity to a significant issue, his remarks became offensive and misrepresented the university. Levity that is at the exp...

Why think about design when you start a nonprofit?

Startup nonprofits are like a startup business. The founder thinks they want to start a nonprofit, but it's really a business, with a nonprofit mission.

Every few weeks, we receive inquiries about how to start a nonprofit. The trend seems to be nonprofits that can raise funds, in order to support activities centered on a specific cause and area of need. As designers, we’re not experts in the “how to,” but we would like to offer some thoughts for consideration.

These questions come to us throug...

How Nonprofit Organizations Can Make the Most of Salesforce.com

Open Source vs Salesforce.com. Cloud computing. Should you choose a traditional DRM, or take a completely innovative approach? What’s the best solution for volunteer, donor and grant management?

Open Source vs Salesforce.com. Cloud computing. Should you choose a traditional DRM, or take a completely innovative approach? What’s the best solution for volunteer, donor and grant management?

Creating a donor relationship management system (DRM, or CRM – for constituent relationship manager) for you...

How to make your annual report story worth telling

Nonprofit annual reports are an opportunity to reassure stakeholders, share a year's worth of success, and look to the future. But have you considered the greater purpose behind the stories – something more aspirational – that becomes the narrative thread, weaving the stories together into one worth telling?

Nonprofit annual reports are an opportunity to reassure stakeholders, share a year's worth of success, and look to the future. But have you considered the greater purpose behind the storie...

12 Communication Resolutions for 2013

Today is a great day to start fresh as you respond to the challenges of nonprofit, philanthropic or higher education communication. After a year of reflection (yes, a year), we suggest that the following resolutions can transform your design and communication.

Today is a great day to start fresh as you respond to the challenges of nonprofit, philanthropic or higher education communication. After a year of reflection (yes, a year), we suggest that the following resolutions can transform your de...

Why do nonprofit boards struggle with marketing?

In almost every conversation we have with nonprofit executives and leaders, the statement is made: “the marketing committee recently met and decided to…” Yet it’s the CFO, marketing director, engagement coordinator, or executive director sitting across the table. Where are the board members in this conversation?

In almost every conversation we have with nonprofit executives and leaders, the statement is made: “the marketing committee recently met and decided to…” Yet it’s the CFO, marketing di...

Designing for the future: extending a collegiate visual identity system

Progressive disclosure can be an effective approach to creating logical parent and component collegiate identities. At some point you may find that your college or university has need for a component identity.

Progressive disclosure can be an effective approach to creating logical parent and component collegiate identities. At some point you may find that your college or university has need for a component identity.

Typically a school, program, division or donor name must appear with the insti...