Giant3

How does an organization reach its base, project’s its message, build support and fulfill its mission? You do all this and more with communications. Communications means all the media we use. Using the Internet, communications can create, build and nurture community.

Not for profits face a different set of issues than business clients. A volunteer-based group has to continually keep it’s information flowing. Program info has to be accurate, timely and then sell the idea to staff, supporters and newcomers. NPOs require more communication management than corporate clients, often with little or no budget and strained staff. Events range from public affairs and fundraisers to seminars and workshops. Bingo night, the annual 5k walk, training session and small group classes all require communications to make them work.

How do you get the word out? For TSA, The Tourette’s Syndrome Association of Florida, we’ve begun by building a simple website. Often we work in stages to help get an NPO where it needs to be. Just gathering general info can be a huge task–keeping it current is an ongoing challenge.

Internet is a great place to begin, as costs to distribute are almost zero. The ease with which you can change information is also a huge factor–and why your site should take precedance over print and other media. Often with an NPO we’re doing all the work in one fell swoop. The net allows for changes, refinement and correction. Once we’ve built a firm foundation, then we can ellaborate, add features that increase outreach.

We’ve got a soft place in our heart for not for profits. Serving any NPO is a daunting task–the need never ends. Find someone who is willing to partner with you for the long term and is vested in your community. For us, we’ve found the experience challenging and rewarding… and in the end everyone wins.

Visit a few of the sites we’ve built for these NPOs.
> Tourette’s Syndrome Association of Florida
> United Way of Brevard
> 211Brevard
> Keep Brevard Beautiful