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Nonprofit Workshop: From Connections to Contributions

Posted on April 18, 2025 - 6:03 pm by

Heather DeVine of Transcend Ideas is happy to partner with The Community Foundation of Teton Valley this year and announces Pocket Talk: “From Connections to Contributions,” in-person workshop Wednesday, May 7th, 12-1 PM.

Join this free in-person workshop, we hope you’ll find it informative and an inspiring discussion. Heather will share helpful storytelling tips and available resources that you can use now as you prepare to inspire, engage, and motivate donors to actively participate in the Giving Period ahead of the Community Foundation of Teton Valley’s 18th Annual Tin Cup Challenge. 

“Now more than ever, our non-profits need our support… there is an evident shift in funding priorities and spending hesitancy is on the rise. Despite the hurdles of today’s economic climate, there is a surge of energy surrounding the support of non-profit organizations that impact the community. I’m delighted to be a part of this philanthropic energy ahead of this year’s Tin Cup Challenge and can’t wait to ignite more with attendees of the Pocket Talk: “From Connections to Contributions on May 7th!”

Heather DeVine

Build Connection with Community

Nonprofits should consider the following when building a connection with community members and donors:

  • Authentic approach to storytelling with supportive graphics and videos to keep it dynamic and expand your reach
  • Identify your theme to wrap your “ask” around (ie. anniversary, impact/program focus, expansion)
  • State your case – tell the donors what/whom you are impacting and why it’s important
  • Set specific fundraising goals & give them voice to your donors
  • Identify donors: ask for an increase in the amount they donated last year
  • Pledge card – commitment made, making it tangible and real for both the org and the donor
  • Offer donation increments that will impact your org and the community
  • Highlight the important programs these non-profits do (maybe the ones that are not as well known, or at the forefront of the org). These could be small and simple. 
    • Some examples include: 
      • Hole Food Rescue (HFR) in partnership with Teton County Integrated Solid Waste and Recycling (ISWR): during the Tuesday Food for the Community Event at the Grove, put on by HFR, ISWR provides free residential composting for anyone who brings their food waste to the event. It’s a small but really cool way that 2 orgs come together to help with food distribution and food waste in the community. I also don’t know if a ton of people know about this.
      • The Animal Adoption Center (AAC): Highlighting the Spay and Neuter events that they do in nearby Reservation communities. Yes, they adopt out cats and dogs, but they’re also helping the bigger picture by providing necessary care to communities that do not have access to such things readily available. 
      • Teton Valley Community Recycling (TVCR): I feel a lot of people in the community know about Pierre’s Pedal Project (PPP), but they may not know that kids can go in and get free bikes, or that adults can buy bikes for cheap- creating a sustainable way to commute to work or just an affordable and accessible way to get outside. 
  • Be strategic with your messaging – use multiple platforms, outlets to share your story (e.g. social media, newsletter, mailer, direct email, formalize letter, paid advertising, peer-to-peer campaigns – a personalized ask, yard signs)

“It really comes down to how we work together to support local nonprofits in our community. Year after year, the Community Foundation of Teton Valley works with local businesses, individuals, and volunteers, developing and nurturing a culture of giving that empowers local nonprofits that provide critical services to the people in the valley. Now more than ever, our non-profits need our support. With this new administration, there is an evident shift in funding priorities and spending hesitancy is on the rise.” Heather adds, “Despite the hurdles of today’s economic climate, there is a surge of energy surrounding the support of non-profit organizations that impact the community. I’m delighted to be a part of this philanthropic energy ahead of this year’s Tin Cup Challenge and can’t wait to ignite more with attendees of the Pocket Talk: “From Connections to Contributions on May 7th!”

REGISTER NOW

Small Business & Tariffs: Navigating Economic Changes

Posted on April 15, 2025 - 11:53 am by

As we move further into 2025, recent changes to tariffs on imported goods are beginning to impact businesses of all sizes across the country. At Transcend Ideas, we believe staying informed helps our community make better decisions.

Understanding the Landscape

The interconnectedness of our global economy means changes in trade policy have ripple effects throughout supply chains. While the full impact of these tariffs—ranging from 10% to over 50% on various imported goods—is still emerging, we’re already seeing different responses across the business spectrum.

“Large retailers with significant purchasing power (like Walmart) can often negotiate with foreign suppliers for discounts to offset tariff costs. However, small businesses typically lack this leverage, potentially facing more immediate challenges in maintaining their pricing structures,”
from an NPR story linked here.

Wide-Ranging Effects

It’s important to understand that these economic shifts will affect virtually all businesses—not just those directly importing or selling foreign goods. Service-based businesses like Transcend Ideas will also experience impacts, though on different timelines and in different ways. As our clients adapt to changing economic conditions, their marketing and branding needs may evolve or even take a backseat. Rising costs in one sector inevitably influence spending patterns and priorities across the entire business ecosystem.

Why This Matters

We share this information not to raise alarm but to encourage awareness. Economic shifts like these highlight why supporting small businesses in your community matters more than ever. Local businesses are the backbone of our economies, providing unique products, personalized service, and keeping dollars circulating within our communities.

Moving Forward Together

During periods of economic adjustment, small businesses demonstrate remarkable resilience and creativity. Many find innovative ways to adapt their sourcing, streamline operations, or enhance their value proposition beyond just price.

As consumers, our choices have power. By intentionally supporting small businesses—whether through direct purchases, positive reviews, or sharing their stories—we help maintain the diverse, vibrant business ecosystem that makes our communities special.

Let’s stay informed, shop local when possible, and remember that small businesses thrive when communities show up for our local small businesses.

AI Resources for Non-Profits

Posted on February 24, 2025 - 12:43 pm by
AI Resources for NonProfits

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 CharityGPT. 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:

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.

AI Resources for Non-Profits

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

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
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:

  1. Direct Monetary Donations: Write a check and donate directly to a cause or nonprofit.
  2. 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. 
  3. Year-Round Giving: Consistent support throughout the year can create a greater impact. Consider setting up a recurring monthly donation. 
  4. 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.
  5. In-Kind Donations: Contribute non-monetary goods, services, time, or expertise.
  6. Volunteer Time: Offer paid time off for employees to volunteer.
  7. Discounted Rates: Offer discounted services to nonprofit clients. For example at Transcend Ideas we offer non-profits 20% off our services!
  8. 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
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.

Old Bill's Fun Run

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
Meet Heather Rodgers - Content Creator

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.

Heather Rodgers Quote

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.

Meet Heather Rodgers

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
Make Your Content Stand Out in 2024

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:

Make your content stand out in 2024: 1. Videos are King 2. Embrace the Power of Authenticity 3. Optimize for short attention spans

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.

Video content creation

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.

Make Your Content Stand out in 2024: 4. Provide value-driven content 5. Leverage the power of storytelling 6. Experiment with interactive content

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 8. Stay platform-savvy.

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 10. Don't forget the basics

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.

Photo of hand holding smart phone with instagram profile over an orange background

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

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

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

an unfortunate font choice

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.