The Communications Network
As the Communications Network, an organization that connects people working to advance nonprofit and foundation missions, celebrates its 40th anniversary, it is collaborating with the Chronicle to figure out what’s coming next. Over several months, we’ll showcase essays from respected leaders about what nonprofits and foundations need to understand over the next decade to ensure their communications keep up with the latest trends in sharing and absorbing information.
-
Looking Ahead: the Future of Communications for GoodTo Expand Reach, Nonprofits Must Tell Stories That Touch Hearts (Opinion)
People listen with rapt attention to authentic stories, and that helps them grasp the realities of what nonprofits are dealing with. -
Opinion
How to Use Gatherings to Share Ideas, Connect, and Get Things Done (Opinion)
Organizing and running a productive meeting is much more than logistics. It involves knowing whom to invite and why, asking strategic questions, and giving the event the right name. -
Looking Ahead: the Future of Communications for Good
To Craft Effective Social-Good Appeals, We Need Research, Not Crystal Balls (Opinion)
Social science can help determine what ideas move people to act or summon their support. Messages we just think will work often don’t — and they can send people running in the opposite direction. -
The Future of Communications for Good
Helping Government Workers Learn Is Crucial to Social Change (Opinion)
Savvy grant makers have recognized that instead of lobbying to advance a specific solution, they must recognize the needs of government workers and adapt programs to incorporate their concerns. -
The Future of Communications for Good
‘You Can’t Lift People Up by Putting Them Down’ (Opinion)
Instead of using terms like “at-risk,” “low-income,” and “disadvantaged,” define people first by their aspirations and contributions, as in “a black student striving to overcome a threatening environment and graduate.” -
Opinion
Asking and Listening: Key to Social-Change Communications Is Asking People What They Need (Opinion)
Policy making is stronger when it is shaped by the people it’s supposed to help — and that takes new ways to communicate and build connections. -
Opinion
Forging Human Connections Is Essential to Advance Nonprofit Messages (Opinion)
Visits to health clinics, homeless shelters, museums, and other such places better convey ideas and plans for community-based change than digital communication alone so we need to invite journalists and others to see philanthropic work in action. -
The Future of Communications for Good
Social Change Can’t Happen Without Powerful Storytelling (Opinion)
All of us in the nonprofit world need to remember to make our stories accessible: It really doesn’t matter how smart your ideas are or how persuasive your pitch is if nobody can understand you.
