Inspire Ideas - Transcend Ideas

AI Resources for Non-Profits

Posted on February 24, 2025 - 12:43 pm by Heather DeVine

The mere mention of “Artificial Intelligence” scares most people, though few understand it. Broadly, AI is a computer program designed to increase effectiveness and efficiency by helping people and businesses work smarter. Using AI can be a real game-changer for nonprofits.

Non-Profit Resources

There are many generative AI technologies that create content for websites, blogs, and social media posts. One such tool is CharityG PT. Approaching the world of AI can seem like a colossal chasm, but choosing the right technology for your nonprofit doesn’t have to be scary. There are resources available to help you navigate through AI.

Nonprofit Tech for Good (NTG) is a tremendous source of information gathered to help nonprofits strengthen their marketing and fundraising strategies through understanding and harnessing the power of generative AI. NTG has a vast array of informative articles, podcasts, webinars, and AI tool recommendations available, most of which are available at no or little cost.

As a good starting point, we’ve compiled a simple list of key resources NTG has available to start your nonprofit on the journey to the world of generative AI:

Marketing & Fundraising – Prompts – 40+ ChatGPT Prompts for Fundraisers (Medium)
- Newsletter
- Press Release
- Annual Reports
- Crowdfunding campaigns
- Grant writing & research
- Volunteer engagement
- Partnership proposals
- Fundraising Strategey
Website Content – 7 Tips for Standout Nonprofit Website Content in the Age of AI
Blog Content – How to Use AI to W rite Blogs (BloggingPro)
Social Media Marketing
- Content writing
- Streamline workflow
- Image/video generator
- Brainstorming
Best Practices with Social Media – Best practices utilizing:
- Facebook
- Linke dIn
- Instagra m
- T hreads & X

Also, NTG will offer three certificate programs focusing on website and email, online fundraising, social media, and AI strategies to help nonprofits achieve their marketing and fundraising goals.

Generative AI is an incredibly powerful tool, and NTG is a valuable resource that answers the “whats,” “hows,” and “whys” of AI for nonprofits. We also recommend connecting with other nonprofits that are already leveraging AI. After all, nonprofits share a common mission of serving others.

Sample Personalized Donation Appeals Prompt:

Prompt: “Generate a personalized email appeal for a donor who contributed $100 last year to our children’s education program. Highlight how their donation made an impact and encourage them to donate again this year. The donor helped support socio-emotional learning programming, in-classroom supplies, and teacher training.“

Output from ChatGPT:

Subject: Your Impact on Children’s Education – Renew Your Support!

Dear [Donor’s Name],

I hope this message finds you well! Last year, your generous donation of $100 made a meaningful impact on children’s education, and I want to personally thank you. Because of your support, students received essential classroom supplies, teachers accessed vital training, and children benefited from socio-emotional learning programs that help them thrive both academically and personally.

Your generosity created brighter learning environments, empowered educators, and provided students with the resources they need to succeed. But the need continues—this year, even more children could benefit from your kindness.

Would you consider renewing your gift of $100 to continue transforming young lives? Your contribution will once again support vital programs that nurture learning, resilience, and growth.

Click here to donate today: [Insert Donation Link]

Thank you for being a champion for children’s education. Your support truly makes a difference!

With gratitude,
[Your Name]
[Your Organization]
[Your Contact Information]

Nonprofits and AI Takeaways:

The best ways to approach AI tools and stay focused on how you use them, staying authentic, and not let AI try to replace the humanity of your organization. Refer to NTG: 7 Tips for Standout Nonprofit Website Content in the Age of AI.

Use prompts that help get you started but not to replace actual stories of people impacted by your work, but help you get started and help spark a few ideas. When we use AI, we invite reimagining with the machine and yet not let it replace our role.

Looking for non-profit solutions to maximize the personnel and resources you have? Let’s get coffee and see if Transcend Ideas could be a right fit for your non-profit!

Forward Steps: Climb Kilimanjaro, Elevate Scholars Campaign

Posted on November 22, 2024 - 7:26 pm by Heather DeVine

At Transcend Ideas, we had the privilege of collaborating with Forward Steps, a nonprofit organization based in Boulder, CO, that supports youth who have experienced foster care as they work toward completing their postsecondary education. Our partnership centered around a unique fundraising campaign: Climb Kilimanjaro, Elevate Scholars.

This inspiring initiative was spearheaded by Forward Steps’ Executive Director, Jennifer Falkoski, who trained and climbed to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s tallest peak, to raise funds and awareness for the Guardian Scholars Program. This program provides the resources and community support that foster youth need to overcome barriers in higher education.

To amplify the campaign’s impact, Transcend Ideas crafted a multi-faceted strategy to tell the story of Jennifer’s journey and the critical mission behind it. Our work included:

(Video) ‘Training Diaries’: We edited Reels on Instagram of behind-the-scenes footage of Jennifer’s training, showcasing her dedication.
Educational Content: Data and insights about the challenges youth in foster care face in pursuing education.
Scholar Stories: Highlighting the experiences of current and former Guardian Scholars.
Custom Brochure: Print designed to engage potential donors and sponsors.
Email Newsletters: Bringing supporters along for the climb with real-time updates and storytelling.
Custom Landing Page: A dedicated webpage to provide donors and sponsors with a clear understanding of the campaign and how to support it.
Timely Blog Updates: Regularly updated blog posts that mirrored and reinforced the narrative of the campaign.
Gala Integration: Creating a cohesive narrative for the Annual Gala, which featured a mountain theme and celebrated the scholars’ achievements.

The campaign culminated in raising over $77,000 for Forward Steps, ensuring the Guardian Scholars Program can continue to elevate youth to new heights—just as Jennifer reached the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Campaign Discovery: Climb Kilimanjaro, Elevate Scholars.

Learn More About the Campaign

Why We’re Climbing

Kilimanjaro Part 1

Kilimanjaro Part 2

Campaign Identity

How to Give Back to Nonprofits During the Holidays: A Guide for Businesses

Posted on September 26, 2024 - 2:38 pm by Heather DeVine

Give Back to Nonprofits During the Holidays - A Guide for Small Businesses

As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving is in the air. Businesses have a unique opportunity to make a positive impact in their communities during this time of year.

At Transcend Ideas, supporting local nonprofits is a core value of ours. This year, we were a sponsor for GAP!’s Annual Luncheon and helped support some of our favorite organizations, ABC – Above and Beyond the Classroom and Valley of Tetons Library & Teton Arts, through the Community Foundation of Teton Valley’s Tin Cup Challenge.

Here’s why businesses should consider donating to nonprofits during the holidays and throughout the year:

Benefits of Giving Back

Build a positive reputation and create impact in your community
Boost employee morale and engagement
Allow your business to engage with the community in a meaningful way
Enjoy potential tax benefits

Identifying the Right Nonprofits

When deciding how to give back, consider the following:

Which nonprofits align with the values and mission of your business or you personally?
What causes do your employees care about?
Remember that local giving can have an even greater impact on your community.

Donation Strategies to Give Back

There are several ways businesses can support nonprofits:

Direct Monetary Donations: Write a check and donate directly to a cause or nonprofit.
Donate a Portion of Sales: For example, local coffee shops in Jackson Hole and Teton Valley donate a portion of Pumpkin Spice Latte sales to People Spread Love each fall.
Year-Round Giving: Consistent support throughout the year can create a greater impact. Consider setting up a recurring monthly donation.
Fundraising Events: Organize or co-organize a fundraising event for a nonprofit like “Pilates and Puppies” where Core Studio, a pilates studio in Teton Valley invites patrons to enjoy a pilates class with adorable puppies from Aska’s Animals Foundation.
In-Kind Donations: Contribute non-monetary goods, services, time, or expertise.
Volunteer Time: Offer paid time off for employees to volunteer.
Discounted Rates: Offer discounted services to nonprofit clients. For example at Transcend Ideas we offer non-profits 20% off our services!
Participate in #GivingTuesday: Join the global giving movement on Tuesday, December 3, 2024 and give in a way that best aligns with you.

Spreading the Word and Setting an Example

In addition to direct giving, businesses can support nonprofits by:

Sharing information about the nonprofits you support on your business’s social media channels
Encouraging your employees to get involved and support the causes they care about
Providing a community board in your brick-and-mortar location for nonprofits to share their messaging

Remember, while holiday giving is commendable, consistent support throughout the year can create an even greater impact. By incorporating these strategies, your business can make a meaningful difference while strengthening its community ties.

Do you want to increase your holiday giving in the Tetons and aren’t sure where to start? Reach out to our team and we’re happy to share community resources and non-profits we work with in our every day work to channel your charitable giving to where it can make the biggest impact.

Running a Successful Fundraising Campaign

Posted on August 29, 2024 - 9:00 am by Heather DeVine

How to Run a Successful Fundraising Campaign

Old Bill’s Fun Run is a local philanthropic fundraising race in Jackson Hole that is quickly setting the standard for what community wellness can look like in rural areas. The mission of Old Bill’s is to highlight the critical work and increase funding to local non-profits. This includes funding to support public health, reach marginalized populations, and support emergency service work in Teton County. Bringing the community together over shared philanthropy creates stability in a mountain community that can often be in motion. Strategic messaging can bolster and increase the credibility of your non-profit mission. The Old Bill’s fundraiser and community race every Fall is the perfect platform for you to raise awareness and tell the story of your non-profit.

Old Bill's Fun Run race. Via: Old Bills Fun Run — via Old Bill’s Fun Run

Old Bill’s Fun Run has poured funding into nonprofits in the community since 1997. Philanthropic events like Old Bill’s Fun Run center their mission around the community. Did you know that there are more than 200 non-profits that serve Teton County, WY! This community, like most all over the country, has its setbacks, challenges, and barriers. We also know that when we amplify non-profits they pour back into the community.

This guide will hopefully help you tackle a fundraising campaign, similar to Old Bill’s Fun Run. It can be a daunting task to stand out among the rest, but it is possible!

Preparing Your Marketing and Fundraising Campaign:

1. Target Market Audience

Who is your audience and where do they spend their time? Your donors may be a bit older and may not be a social media like your younger audience may like to spend their time. Plan to add targeted ads to your strategy for an impactful campaign and explore more platform like radio, newspaper, and digital ads on popular community websites.

2. Set a Clear Budget for Fundraising

There is a fine balance between making an impact with your ad spend versus unintentionally wasting marketing funds that could’ve been used strategically on other goals in your campaign. Having a clearly defined marketing budget, that includes an advertising budget for print and digital media, will help your organization to move more efficiently through the length of your marketing campaign.

3. Get Real and Tell the Story

Tell your impact story in the campaign. A non-profit’s mission is only as effective as the lives that it elevates. Empowering people and enriching the lives of the locals who serve a community is the goal of any non-profit. It becomes critical to make your brand story authentic and believable with your marketing to build trust with viewers.

Building a strong narrative that is supported by high-quality imagery, testimonials, consistent brand identity, compelling storytelling, and messaging lends itself to an authentic and honest story. If you can pierce your audience emotionally with the impact you are creating for real people – you can fund the mission of a non-profit servicing Teton County.

4. Pacing Your Campaign

Prepare your media and scheduling (for the most optimal time) can be a critical part of your campaign visibility. Do you have a plan for preparing, organizing, and scheduling the media for your campaign? Whether you are utilizing supportive graphics, photos or videos, having them prepared and ready to go will help keep the rhythm of your campaign steady and consistent.

Rising Together with Strategic Fundraising Campaigns

Intentional preparation and attending to the 4 key steps listed above can help your campaign run successfully. We rise together by funding service industry work and supporting every non-profit’s success. Consider donating to support the livelihood of the individual stories that hold up the economy in Jackson Hole. Together, we can make a difference!

Donate via Old Bill’s

Interested in working with Transcend Ideas for your non-profit campaign in 2025? Reach out to our team and let’s get coffee!

Meet Heather Rodgers

Posted on August 23, 2024 - 5:08 pm by Heather DeVine

Heather Rodgers is the newest member to the Transcend Ideas team! She will offer support with her design and copywriting skills. She shares a little about herself in this Q&A below.

Heather Rodgers Q & A

1. What are your favorite projects to work on and how do you want to grow professionally?

I would say my favorite projects all focus on helping small brands grow through my designs, especially when I have lots of creative freedom. I love using vibrant colors and organic elements in my designs. Branding and logo design are among my top favorites. Professionally, I want to grow by expanding my skill set. As a self-taught graphic designer, it’s incredibly exciting for me to keep learning and evolving in my craft.

2. Where do you pull inspiration from for creative work?

I am consistently inspired by nature and spending time in the mountains. There’s something about being outside that sparks my creativity. I also love checking out the work of other talented designers and artists. They really motivate me to keep pushing my own boundaries.

3. What’s a bucket list item you’ve held off on completing for years and when do you hope to complete it?

l’ve always wanted to learn how to surf, but I’ve never lived close to the ocean or anywhere good for surfing. Maybe one day soon, I’ll finally get to go to a surfing camp or something like that!

4. What small object in your house means the most to you and why?

I have two small paintings from my grandmother that mean the world to me. She’s an incredibly talented artist, and her work has always inspired me. I treasure these paintings and look at them every single day.

5. What advice do you have for small businesses looking to amplify their messaging and brand?

My advice is to really get to know your ideal audience. Make sure every image, graphic, and bit of copy you put out there resonates with how your target audience will perceive it. It’s easy to lose sight of your core message when you’re so close to it, which is why getting some outside support, like from a team like Transcend Ideas, can make a huge difference. They can help you nail down and communicate what makes your brand unique. And remember, consistency is key—keeping your branding clear and recognizable across the board will help your message stick.

6. How do you like to spend your free time?

I love spending my free time outdoors, with my boyfriend and pup, Zeus. We are always planning weekend adventures.

7. Who keeps you inspired and why?

I’ve been fortunate to meet many creative and talented people throughout my life. My grandmother, as mentioned, is a huge inspiration to me. I also admire the work and entrepreneurship of many of my friends and family. I feel really lucky to connect with so many driven and amazing individuals.

8. What’s your favorite life lesson you’ve ever learned and held on to?

One of my favorite life lessons is to trust the process. Not everything falls into place right away, and that’s okay. It’s important to stay patient and keep moving forward, even when things don’t go as planned.

9. What are you grateful for? What are you hopeful for?

I’m grateful for the opportunity to work creatively and for the support of my family and friends. I’m hopeful for continued growth, both personally and professionally, and to keep finding new opportunities that challenge and inspire me.

10. What are you proud of right now?

Right now, I’m proud of how much I’ve grown as a designer, especially being self-taught. I’ve been able to work on projects that I love and help small brands grow, which is really rewarding.

Would you like to work with Heather Rodgers? Reach out to our team to get in contact with Heather and discuss a future project for you! Find more of Heather’s work at her site https://kinddesignco.com and follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kinddesignco_/.

Make Your Content Stand Out in 2024

Posted on August 14, 2024 - 2:43 pm by Heather DeVine

The internet evolves at lightning speed.

Trends from a decade ago are long forgotten, and even last year’s sensations have faded. With countless accounts competing for attention across numerous platforms, standing out in this saturated digital landscape demands a more strategic approach than ever before.

When looking at social media forecasts and predicted trends, it’s important to remember that anticipating future trends is always a challenge. For example, today I created a meme for a client based on Olympic pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik’s bronze medal-winning routine—a twist I never would have predicted last week.

However, we can do our best to observe where momentum is shifting. Staying ahead of trends and paying close attention to emerging patterns is crucial for success in content marketing. Effective content serves as a powerful tool for small businesses to build brand awareness, engage with customers, and drive sales. So, what might be in store for 2024?

A Few Ways to Make Your Content Stand Out in 2024:

1. Videos are King

In the visual-centric world of social media, video content continues to reign supreme. Short-form videos, live streams, and interactive videos are all particularly effective at capturing audience attention.

2. Embrace the Power of Authenticity

Audiences in 2024 crave genuine content that feels real and relatable. Don’t shy away from showing the human side of your brand. Share behind-the-scenes glimpses, customer success stories, or even the occasional blooper to build trust and foster deeper connections.

3. Optimize for Short Attention Spans

With the rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, short-form content is more popular than ever. Get to the point quickly with a strong hook, break complex ideas into bite-sized chunks, and use visually appealing graphics. Apply this to written content too by breaking up blogs and newsletters into lists and highlighting key points.

4. Provide Value-Driven Content

Your audience is looking for solutions to their problems. Focus on a strategy that educates your audience on industry-related topics, offers practical tips and actionable advice, and addresses common customer pain points.

5. Leverage the Power of Storytelling

Humans are wired to respond to stories. Use narrative techniques to share your brand’s journey and values, highlight customer experiences and testimonials, and create emotional connections with your audience.

6. Experiment with Interactive Content

Engage your audience by encouraging participation. Try incorporating polls, quizzes, user-generated content challenges, and live Q&A sessions or AMAs (Ask Me Anything) to boost engagement.

7. Diversify Your Content Formats

While video may reign supreme, don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Mix it up with engaging blog posts, eye-catching infographics, podcast episodes, and interactive webinars or workshops.

8. Stay Platform-Savvy

Each social media platform has its own quirks and best practices. For Instagram, focus on creating visually stunning Reels and Stories. On LinkedIn, share industry insights and thought leadership content. For TikTok, tap into trends and create entertaining, snackable content.

9. Embrace AI-Assisted Creativity

While maintaining that human touch, consider using AI tools to generate ideas, optimize your posting schedule, and analyze performance data to refine your strategy.

10. Don’t Forget the Basics

In the rush to stay trendy, remember these timeless principles: consistently post high-quality content, engage with your audience through comments and messages, and use relevant hashtags to increase discoverability.

Remember, the key to standing out in 2024 isn’t just about following trends—it’s about understanding your unique audience and delivering content that resonates with them. Keep experimenting, analyzing your results, and refining your approach. With persistence and creativity, your content will shine bright in the crowded digital landscape.

At Transcend Ideas, we’re passionate about helping brands create messaging that truly connects. Whether you’re looking to revamp your content strategy or need a fresh perspective on your brand’s voice, we’re here to help you transcend the ordinary and make your mark in 2024 and beyond.

Ready to elevate your content game? Let’s chat about how we can bring your brand’s unique story to life!

From Burnout to Balance: Rebuild Empathy When Faced with Compassion Fatigue

Posted on June 18, 2024 - 3:41 pm by Heather DeVine

How are you doing managing the stresses in your life and with maintaining compassion? There are 3 key indicators for you to do a self-assessment to see where you reside on your empathy health, also called the 3 A’s of Compassion Fatigue. The ABCs of Compassion Fatigue are Awareness, Balance, and Connection.

Non-profit and service-industry work is exhilarating when you feel like you are making a tangible difference in your community. Compassion fatigue results when there is a loss in your ability to nurture effectively when catering to others’ physical and emotional pain. Often, the demands of service-oriented industries can take a hit on our energy levels and the risk of burnout is real. Executive Directors and limited staff members have to wear the hat of many different roles in an organization and run on limited funds and time to make critical services available. The work is meaningful but the pressure can be intense if not effectively managed. If the distinction between another person and yourself becomes blurred and the emotional pain of the other is taken on as one’s own, you could be at risk for fatigue. If not effectively managed, compassion fatigue can have negative physical, mental, and emotional repercussions.

Many service providers and caretakers don’t realize when they are facing compassion fatigue. The condition can be surrounded by feelings of helplessness and powerlessness with patients or family, reduced feelings of empathy and sensitivity, feeling overwhelmed and exhausted by work demands, feeling detached or numb, and loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy.

Rebuilding Empathy: Combatting Compassion Fatigue. Image of therapist and a client.

Do You Know How to Manage Compassion Fatigue?

Compassion fatigue affects everyone. The trick is finding a meaningful way to anticipate and work with the fatigue that will enhance your ability to combat it. We’re here to bring awareness to the most important step in any position is to take care of yourself. To heal the healer reinforces the fortitude needed to get back to the demands of work by incorporating the ABC’s of compassion fatigue: Awareness, Balance, and Connection into our regular routines.

Awareness

Building awareness of and taking action is the first step needed when recentering yourself in responsibilities. Your ability to attune to when you are out of sync is key to knowing when to take action and make a needed change. Your awareness skills will grow the more you recognize when your compassion is waning thin. ****Take a moment to step back and breathe. In. Out. In. Out. Is there any tension in your body? Taking intentional moments throughout your work day, on days off, or when with others – take your minds off of the demands and find where sources of stress may lie; whether they be physically with tension throughout your body or mentally with distractions and disruptive thoughts and get curious with the sources of stress.

Balance

Is your day a never-ending list of demands? Effective planning can help you find a balance between what can stay and what needs to go from your priorities in a day. Write out a list of everything that requires your presence in a day and write a secondary list alongside this to how you will ‘balance’ out the responsibilities on your plate to stay grounded through your every day. Finding balance can be as simple as stepping outside in the middle of your work day and taking a moment to be present with beautiful surroundings.

Connection

Isolation has started to dominate our existence in the past few years. From the pandemic to streaming subscriptions, it has become more convenient to enjoy the comforts of home. Rather than venturing out and forging meaningful connections with people in your community, people often opt out. The discomfort it takes to find a routine outside of your home is well worth the relationships you gain. There are so many people to meet with different backgrounds and views on the world. Even from the comforts of home, we often remain disconnected and distracted. Spending meaningful time with the ones we love is where we can find the most empowering healing.

Rebuilding Empathy: Combatting Compassion Fatigue. Image of tired doctor sitting on the floor in a hospital hallway.

Live Empowered in Your Compassionate Roles

Keep the 3 ABC’s of Compassion Fatigue front of mind as we roll into the busy summer months. Remember to foster awareness, find balance, and build connections in your life to stay above overwhelm. Your ability to find a manageable pace of working with stressors will impact how you show up in your community. Sharing the tools to combat compassion fatigue will help us build more resilient communities and empower our non-profits to thrive!

Need an effective management plan for your non-profit marketing? Transcend Ideas would love to support your organization. Let’s get coffee and discuss the compassionate messaging goals for your organization.

If These Fonts Could Talk

Posted on June 11, 2024 - 11:09 pm by Heather DeVine

Fonts tell us a lot about a brand, and there is much to discuss about them. We like to think that fonts have their own personalities, and they make a big difference in how consumers communicate with a brand. We could go on for a while, but we’ll try not to get too nerdy. We’re font fanatics here at Transcend Ideas.

Typography vs Fonts

Let’s start by clarifying the difference between typography and fonts. Typography is the art of arranging type to facilitate effective communication. While typography encompasses everything related to text, we are focusing on fonts in this discussion.

Font Vocabulary

To discuss fonts, it’s helpful to understand some of the important terminology you might hear surrounding fonts.

Typefaces: The visual designs that give characters their distinct style.

Fonts: The digital files that allow typefaces to be displayed on screens and in print. (Typefaces are what you see and fonts are what you use)

Weight: Refers to the overall thickness of the strokes in a typeface within a specific font. (ie. bold or regular)

Style: Regular, italic, oblique, and small caps are all examples of styles that can exist within a single typeface.

Font Family: If we consider a typeface to be the core design, then the different weights and styles could be said to be instances of that design, and together they form a family (or type family, or font family).

Definitions source via Google fonts. Learn more typography-related terms here.

Serifs vs Sans Serif

A serif is a small line or stroke regularly attached to the end of a larger stroke in a letter or symbol. Fonts are either serif fonts or sans serif fonts, with “sans” meaning “without” these strokes. For example, Times New Roman is a serif font, and Arial is a sans serif font. This text in particular is a sans serif font.

Typically, serif fonts make for an easier reading experience and work well in body text, especially at smaller sizes. Sans serif fonts tend to work well on signage where there is minimal text. However, there are exceptions, and serif and sans serif fonts can be paired within the same document to create a harmonious look.

Primary & Secondary Fonts

When selecting fonts for your brand, you should choose a primary typeface that reflects your overall brand identity. You should also select a secondary font that complements the primary font and helps create supportive documents. Sometimes, contrast is effective with a thicker primary font and a thinner secondary font or a serif paired with a sans serif. Other times, more subtle differences between the primary and secondary fonts can work well.

The Use of the Font

Consider the purpose of the font when choosing one. Is it for a logo, a newsletter, a graphic, or a flyer? Font use will vary depending on the content you are creating. For example, the controversial font Comic Sans tends to work well within a classroom setting, but using it for a funeral program would be deemed inappropriate.

Tone of the Font

The choice of font can come down to the tone you want to convey. How do you want to present your brand to your audience? A lot depends on the taste of the organization itself. For example, a bank will likely have different fonts than a flower shop. Is it important for your brand to be approachable? Formal and informative? Quirky and cool?

Accessibility

Another important aspect of fonts and typography is considering accessibility. Some fonts can be more difficult to read for individuals with intellectual differences and physical disabilities. Clarity, size, and contrast are crucial details to consider. In general, you want your fonts to be easy to read both up close and from a distance. Learn more about accessible design here. When we design inclusively, we widen our audience and extend the reach of potential customers.

Choosing the Right Font for Your Brand

Fonts significantly influence how customers and viewers perceive your brand. A poor font choice can lead to embarrassing consequences. Many problematic fonts are overused—looking at you, Papyrus. With a bit of knowledge and careful observation, you can avoid these mistakes. A carefully selected font can make an immeasurable impact on your brand’s perception. Finding the right font takes time, knowledge, and experience. Often, it also requires some typography work from a graphic designer to make it truly shine.

Feeling Overwhelmed?

We get it, there’s an overload of information out there on fonts and so many to choose from. Take a deep breath and reach out to us to help with your design. There is a difference between a designer’s perspective and a client’s perspective. With clear communication between the two, the perfect font is out there waiting to be put to use.

Email Marketing with Subject Lines that work

Posted on May 28, 2024 - 2:15 pm by Heather DeVine

What stands out to you in your inbox?

Email marketing with subject lines that work will help draw in readers to increase open rate and click rate. The first things the recipients see is the Subject Line and the Preview Text, it’s true.

You’ve probably hear it a million times when you run a business, the most valuable lead you have for your business is through email addresses. If you can get into their inbox you are in the door, so to speak. When you are in the inbox, you are occupying their mind. They may not even open up the email but that first impression of your brand is in the Subject Line and in the Preview text of the e-mail. Those impression mean so much and can potentially motivate an open. Once you have them open your e-mail that’s the next step into peaking their interest. What is it that you want to share?

Could you be promoting a sale you are running?
Hoping to inspire them?
Share an event coming up?
Maybe you are asking them questions (like I am right now) to evoke thought.
Perhaps you are giving them some tips or tricks they can use themselves.

Emojis draw eyes to the text

It’s true, emojis help bring up the inbox feed. Use emojis that draw attention and stay relatable to what you are writing about. I use getemoji.com if I’m formulating my emails via desktop so it’s easier to access the library.

E-mail Marketing Formula that works

Use a template that matches your brand. Don’t obsess over the fonts here (trust me, I will in another blog) but for emails, it’s not necessary. Fonts vary based on email client by the way. What you don’t want to do is use images only. Images only means you message is not coming through at all for all audiences. If you strive to be accessible to all users, keep your text dynamic and utilize alternative tags for all images. You want your text to be dynamic and clickable. Your header font and button font should be a color that stands out and matches your brand colors.

The most helpful emails have a summary of what they are about to read. Then following that, topics with photos/graphics, a brief summary of that particular topic and a CTA (call-to-action) bringing them to a landing page to read more/sign-up/buy now, etc. Simple formula for success we think.

The best way to tell if your emails are truly effective is reviewing the metrics like: open rate (the average industry open rate is 37.72% in April 2024) and click rate (the average industry click rate is 2%).*

Testing

Utilize the A/B Testing setting to check out the click map to see what performs the best.
Mailchimp shares some common ways to use A/B tests to improve your marketing:**

What day of the week gets better open rates?
Does a subject line with an incentive or a teaser work best?
Does including your company name in your subject line increase engagement?
Is it better to use your name as the From name, or your company’s name?
Does the time of day an email is sent affect the click rate?
Are subscribed contacts more likely to click a linked image or linked text?
Do subscribed contacts prefer an email that contains a GIF or one with static images?

Don’t take unsubscribes personally. Watching unsubscriber activity might seem like a bad thing but it’s actually doing you the favor of narrowing down your audience. You want your audience to stick around to learn more about you and your offerings. If they aren’t engaging with your content they may not have the time or desire to read what you put so much time into. Focus on the audience who engages with you and experiment on what works.

Email marketing with subject lines that work:

Try different phrasing, or sales offers, or emoji to see what gets the most attention. A/B Testing is the best way to measure success here. Try different days of the week and times to increase open rates.

See samples of the subject lines that draw attention to your readers:

Eat Pizza, Support the ARTS
Preview text: Join us tonight at Hand Fire Pizza 5-8 pm

READ Email Marketing with Subject Lines that work
Preview text: Increase your open and click rate with a formula that works

Grow your Garden without Invasive Plants
Preview text: Learn what native plants you can grow in your garden

Handcrafted GIFT Ideas: Valentines Day
Preview text: Use Coupon code: VDAY24 for a 10% off discount

*Constant Contact: Average Open Rate – April 2024
**Mailchimp: A/B Testing

Was this helpful? Read another blog post we wrote about “Leverage the Power of Email Marketing”

Transcend Ideas Emails

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Creating a Fundraising Game Plan For Your Non-Profit

Posted on April 19, 2024 - 11:26 am by Heather DeVine

Fundraising for nonprofits is exciting when the money is rolling in, but more often than not, it can feel like a tireless and thankless job. To aid the campaign process, we appreciate the content that Donorbox, a fundraising platform, presented in a recent webinar, helping to simplify the steps for nonprofit employees to regain joy in community work.

Send Tax Donation Receipts

The end of the year often ends in a blur of business tasking to wrap up the quarter’s work. One crucial addition to that list is remembering to send tax donation receipts. Remember a short thank you note, as well, to every donor who supported your organization via mail or email goes a very long way.

Goal Setting for Your Non-Profit

Non-profit work can feel like it pulls your attention and time in a hundred different places. Goal-setting can help determine the direction and impact you hope to make. Does your organization tune everything back to the mission statement?

Here are some goal related questions you should be asking:

What kind of impact does your organization hope to make?
Are you working on a small scale or large scale?
Do you hope to increase donor retention or start generating donations this year?

After determining the organization’s goals, the types of fundraising needed and the tactics to be used will become apparent. This can help save time in the long-run as you can make decisions clearly and efficiently regarding budgets and tasking. Outline a budget and financial items that need to be accomplished within a given timeframe and follow through with delegating tasks to volunteers or board members of your non-profit to find the success you are looking for.

Organizational Goal Planning For Non-Profit

Fundraising

There are a variety of ways that a non-profit can receive funding. Fundraising tactics include peer-to-peer, crowdfunding, events, corporate donations, and more. Always keep track of all the moving parts when running non-profit operations and managing donation money. Start with what are the steps when dealing with fundraising for a non-profit.

Donorbox has 5 key steps they call the 5 A’s of Ask:
attract, ask, acknowledge, account, again.

It’s important to put effort into attracting donors, but equally crucial to continually seek donations, publicly acknowledge donors, account for funds in financial records, and consistently maintain these practices to nurture meaningful donor relationships.

In your fundraising efforts, creating fundraising goals that are SMART (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) helps to focus on real ways planning can make a difference with your organization. These smart goals can also be called KPIs or key performance indicators. KPI’s are quantitative measurements of donor retention, average money raised from a donor, monthly donors, new donors, etc.

Volunteer getting fundraising signatures

Communication Touch Points With Donors

Fundraising Trends:

Maintaining a positive relationship with donors is crucial for maximizing your non-profit’s impact. Achieve this by consistently demonstrating the value your organization offers in stewardship and the lives it impacts. This will attract more individuals whose personal values align with your mission.

Some of the trends that are emerging in the non-profit fundraising world include a focus on donor trust and experience. CharityWater had a brilliant idea to use VR headsets to allow donors to be immersed in a virtual reality showing African women walking buckets of water to the river and back, showcasing what the value a monetary donation would hold.

As we delve into a new generation of digital technology, using AI for fundraising will prove to be a smart pivot in your organization strategy. Other smart trends include cashless giving, alternative currencies, and experience-based fundraising.

Community Fundraisers in Jackson Hole

Locally in the Jackson Hole region, there are two events that bring non-profit fundraising to the next level with community engagement and involvement that makes for memorable experiences.

Transcend Ideas is a proud challenger of The Tin Cup Challenge, a local philanthropic fundraising event in Teton Valley, Idaho. Join us on July 20, 2024 to participate in the local fun run and donate to a favorite community non-profit!

The Community Foundation of Teton Valley works to elevate lives through the power of generosity by championing the nonprofit sector, empowering donors, promoting a culture of giving, and serving as a catalyst in addressing critical community needs. The Tin Cup Challenge is a proud sponsor of community programming by sponsoring matching donations from local businesses, giving grant awards, leadership training, and more.

We also proudly support Old Bill’s Fun Run, another community and philanthropic race event in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Old Bill’s is one of the most successful fundraisers in the nation. The race brings the community of Jackson together over a shared goal of altruism. Kindness for others and community and a singular drive to make a difference. Since Old Bill’s has started, it has brought more than $256 million dollars to Jackson.

We hope you’ll join us on September 7, 2024 as we’ll be out supporting this event that celebrates the local nonprofits that support our community!

Thank you for reading our summary of the great content put out by Donorbox! Can Transcend Ideas support your work to increase your non-profit fundraising and strategy? We’d love to support your work and enhance your digital marketing strategy.

Watch the Donorbox webinar in full here:

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