Tip of the Month: Strategic Communications

Our Tips of the Month share simple, practical advice inspired by our Principles & Practices guide to help you strengthen your organization, connect with your community, and reach your mission.

Check out this month's tip on communicating with intention to keep your message clear and truly connect with your audience.

Find Unlikely Allies

It’s natural to focus our communications and partnerships on those closest to our missions: donors, volunteers, community members. But transformative opportunities can come from places we least expect when we stretch beyond the obvious (our usual circles) to find unlikely but powerful allies. Katie Test Davis shares how to unearth unlikely relationships that make your mission stronger, your reach wider, and your community impact deeper.

#NonprofitsGetItDone

You may have already seen some love on social media for how #NonprofitsGetItDone – let’s go viral! We want to lift up all the amazing work nonprofits do and invite you and organizations all across NC to join us in showcasing your mission and impact. Start here:

📷 Submit a photo of your organization at work

💜 Share your mission statement

📱 Include your social handles so we can tag you

Let’s shine a light on the causes changing our communities for the better. Together, we can inspire others to give, volunteer, and get involved!

Leadership Looks Good on You

We’re proud to begin the 10th cohort of our Nonprofit Management Institute. But its real success lies with the hundreds of nonprofit leaders that have grown into skilled managers and more intuitive leaders through the learning and group discussions that happen throughout each class. Join this growing network of impressive alumni and be a part the next cohort from September 23-October 28 to explore best practices and better strategies for board governance, program design and evaluation, strategic planning, financial management, fundraising, and human resources.

Back to School

In case you missed our monthly tip on building strong financial practices, here’s a back up: the Basic Financial Management Series. Walk through key financial statements and learn how to spot financial trends, interpret surpluses and deficits, and uncover the story behind your numbers in part one designed for non-accountants. Interpret financial statements to inform your budgeting and decision-making, and better understand your fiduciary duties, accountability, and legal and ethical responsibilities in part two designed for nonprofit executive and board leaders. Attend one or both, beginning on September 25.

For educators and trainers who want to create more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning experiences – learning that helps people not just understand, but take action – join us for Design Better Learning. The 3-part series features sessions on trauma informed instruction, visual design skills for trainers, and real-world stories that spark change. Attend individual sessions or the full series, beginning on September 30.

Every Vote Counts

State and local elections in North Carolina may not grab many headlines, but they shape our day-to-day lives the most. And yet, turnout is often chronically low. Join the Center as a National Voter Registration Day Community Partner on September 16 because nonprofits are trusted partners to help neighbors stay informed and engaged. With easy ways to get involved, we can help more people get registered to vote and make a bigger impact in our communities.

What We're Reading

• We’re Halfway Through 2025?! Nonprofit Planning for 2026, Amber Melanie Smith
• Social media marketing ethics in the age of AI, Sprout Social
• Race to Lead 2025 Survey, Building Movement Project

Upcoming Training

• Foundations Workshop, September 18-December 11
• Nonprofit Management Institute, September 23-October 28
• Nonprofit Accounting Basics (For Non-Accountants), September 25
• Trauma Informed Instruction, September 30
• The Nonprofit's Guide to Sustainable Success: Mastering Governance & Fiduciary Duty, October 2
• Creating a Culture of Financial Transparency, October 9
• From Boring to Bold: Visual Design Skills for Trainers, October 28
• Stories That Stick: How Real-World Scenarios Spark Change, November 13
• The Ultimate Grant Proposal Blueprint: Your Step-by-Step Roadmap and Build-It-Yourself Toolkit for Crafting an A+ Proposal (on-demand, 8-session course)
• The Trainer Academy (on-demand, 16-session course)
• Bookmark the Nonprofit Calendar for ongoing training and events

Powering Nonprofits: Spotlight on Our Business Sustainers

Thank you to the incredible businesses that are helping drive impact across North Carolina’s nonprofit sector. These Business Sustainers invest not just in the Center but in the strength, resilience, and reach of nonprofits statewide. Their support fuels high-quality training, bold advocacy efforts, and coaching that helps nonprofits thrive.

In return, Business Sustainers receive exclusive visibility, connection, and engagement opportunities including Business Finder listings, newsletter promotions, discounted registrations, and pro bono volunteer pathways.

This month, we proudly recognize:

We also appreciate the support of these businesses with new listings in Business Finder, our online directory of businesses and consultants that work specifically with nonprofits.

Welcome, New Members!

We appreciate the members of our growing nonprofit network. Your support and partnership make it possible for us to educate, connect, and advocate for and with nonprofits across North Carolina.

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