Summertime Heats Up Challenges for Some Nonprofits
Summertime may mean a slowdown for lots of businesses, whose employees escape for much-needed vacations. But for nonprofits, the season can bring some unique challenges.
Writing on her blog Nonprofit Communications, Kivi Leroux Miller relays some of the fascinating summer stories told to her by the United Way agency staffers she teaches in North Carolina. Increasing temps, for example, exacerbate dysfunctional family situations, resulting in greater use of domestic violence shelters. And the Special Olympics has to scramble for volunteers, since most people think its spring and fall programs are its sole offerings. A fuller piece can be found here in the Lexington Dispatch, but be sure to read to the end of Miller’s blog post, where she has a terrific piece of advice:
But here’s the take-home lesson for you: Look at how summer changes your work and pitch the story to your local media. Trust me, they are tired of the same ol’ baby/dog-in-hot-car, working-outside-in-the-heat summer stories. Give them something fresh to tie to the hot temps and I bet they’ll go for it.
Your donors may not even be aware of these challenges. While I had a hunch that I’d get some good stories out of our local nonprofits, some of them truly surprised me. Why not send an email appeal to your supporters asking for help with a particular summer challenge? Or write a personal letter to your biggest donors letting them know how critical their ongoing support is all year long, but especially during the summer months. Who knows, maybe you can use it as an angle to get some people to sign up for monthly giving plans. | 501(c)
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