What Makes a Strong Nonprofit Brand?

Your nonprofit has a compelling story to tell, but it’s currently not resonating with your audiences. What is the best way to tell that story?

Brand Strategy!

Nonprofit organizations need a solid brand strategy to create brand recognition. It’s not just a logo, colors, fonts and icons. It’s not just a tagline.

It is all those things and more.

You can probably list a few nonprofit brands that are killing it with their target audience. But can you define a brand? What goes into the special magic sauce to make a brand successful?

From marketing materials to your digital presence, a good brand strategy has several elements working together to create an authentic and consistent brand story:

  1. Brand Personality
    These are the human-like traits that your brand embodies, such as being friendly, adventurous, edgy or professional. It creates connections with your customers, and helps you stand out on social media, your website and written materials.
  2. Visual Identity
    Your logo, color scheme, fonts/typography, and imagery all work together to create a distinctive visual representation of your brand. Maintaining a consistent visual style makes your nonprofit look more professional, which builds trust with your stakeholders.
  3. Voice
    This encompasses the language and tone you use to communicate with your customers, including your tagline, the organization’s mission statement, and any other messaging that represents your brand’s values and personality.
  4. Values
    Your brand’s values are the beliefs and principles that drive your company internally and influence your external interactions with clients, donors, and other stakeholders.

If you live up to your brand story at every touchpoint – from visual design to messaging to development – people will clearly understand what you do, who you serve, and why they should support you.

So, let’s get out a piece of paper (or your notes app) and answer some questions.

  • Can you describe your organization’s brand personality and voice in a few words?
  • Are your visual assets clear, consistent, attractive, and easy to use?
  • Can every member of your organization and various stakeholders list your values?

If the answer to all those questions is “Yes!”, way to go! You have all you need to craft a compelling brand story.

Did you answer “No” to one or more questions? You are missing some of the ingredients in the special sauce of your brand. Luckily, we can help you spice it up!

Schedule a Clarity Call

Let’s talk about it. Schedule a FREE, no pressure 30-minute call to find out how  our design services can help you. We’ll learn about you, you’ll learn about us, we’ll talk about donuts. Fun for all!

Impactful Annual Reports and More!

an annual report booklet opened up to show front and back covers
an annual report booklet opened to show 2-page spread
an annual report booklet opened to show 2-page spread with infographics

Make sure your brand shines all year long! Consistent, professional materials build trust with your donors and supporters. Be sure to catch their attention with impactful annual reports and campaign materials. We can also help you with event materials, including save-the-dates, invitations, signage, slideshows and more.

Start reducing the stress of planning for annual reports and events by contacting us today. We promise, it will be fun. 

Want more nonprofit branding examples?