20 Jul 7 Must-Have Trends This Summer For Nonprofits

By Jennifer Vickery, National Strategies Public Relations

Nonprofits have seen many changes over the past couple of years as the entire world battled (and continues to battle) through a pandemic. New strategies and creative ideas emerged and became ever important as the ‘norm’ was replaced with anything but normal.

This year we are seeing nonprofits continue to fulfill the need of a mass of people in critical need and aim for new ways and milestones to achieve their goals.

Here are the top trends we see be essential to nonprofits this summer:

1. Fundraising events are now in person (and virtual / hybrid options exist). The popularity of online and virtual solutions is not going away. Nonprofits still see the value in, and effectiveness of, live events, but they do not necessarily signal the end of online or virtual giving.
2. Efforts are more targeted toward helping people with current issues at the forefront of messaging. Pressing issues such as inflation and gas prices are now being included in messaging as it is known that these issues will impact nonprofits and those they serve no matter the cause.
3. Nonprofits are increasingly trying new trends and pivoting from traditional efforts. Nonprofits have a wide variety of funding sources to tap into, so they tend to be much more agile than other types of organizations. As a result, they have been the first to pick up on new trends and incorporate them into their programs. This ability to adapt quickly gives nonprofits a powerful advantage in securing funding in an increasingly competitive environment.
4. Video is still ever-important as a storytelling tool. Its powerful, moving visual narration is still a driving force behind well-thought-out strategic marketing plans. People are watching videos on social media sites on their smartphones and tablets as well as televisions. And because individuals with smartphones can immediately watch videos of their preference without any advanced degree of setup or knowledge, video is bringing an entirely new way to reach people.
5. Nonprofits are seeing HR issues with job shifts and the Great Resignation. The Great Resignation has become an all-too-common occurrence in the nonprofit and for-profit industries, especially since the economic downturn and the rise of social media. This problem is rapidly affecting nonprofits that rely on every dollar they can get in donations. One way to counter this is by appealing to millennials, as they are more loyal to companies than any other demographic, but it simply isn’t enough to just win them over. This change of heart requires a whole new attitude towards job shifts, promotions, function changes and recruitment.
6. SMS campaigns are becoming more standard in donor engagement and in deepening relationships. Texting is often a non-intrusive and personal way for nonprofits to reach people in nearly real-time. The messages can be ultra-personalized and really work to continue the conversation with supporters.
7. Nonprofits are providing more giving options to satisfy and simplify support from donors. Zelle, websites, texting, online auctions: there are plenty of ways to give now. Also, nonprofits are becoming increasingly savvy at offering a number of giving amounts to help all audiences be a part of the solution to helping those in need.

Nonprofit organizations must be prepared to meet both popular and niche trends throughout the summer. It is a crucial summer for nonprofits to reach out and communicate with supporters, volunteers, and donors. These trends will spark conversations about some of America’s most pressing issues, which may lead to new dialogue in communities across the country. It is up to nonprofit organizations to seize these opportunities and continue to educate the public about their cause.

How does your nonprofit stack up with utilizing tools or strategies from these trends? Could your nonprofit use more support in diversifying efforts?

We’d like to hear from you!

About Jennifer Vickery: Jennifer is the President and CEO of National Strategies Public Relations, a PR firm that focuses on nonprofits and organizations with corporate social responsibility initiatives. Her background is in national public relations campaigns, where she oversees every aspect of PR strategy utilizing her 16+ years of senior-level experience. She’s worked for hundreds of national clientele through every facet of PR. Jennifer has extensive experience, including writing a regular column for a newspaper, producing a health television segment, serving as a radio personality for advocacy issues, producing a weekly radio show, to owning and running a successful public relations firm. Jennifer states media relations, community outreach and goodwill, in addition to strategic planning, as her favorite aspects of PR.

Jennifer is truly inspired and lives every day knowing she is making an impact on the lives of people in the community by providing expert information and the best-of-the-best in businesses, community involvement and goodwill.