Over the past few months, with a gentle nudge from my marketing coach Ilise Benun 😉, I’ve been stepping out of my studio and back into the world, reconnecting with people face to face. It’s been a refreshing shift.
One unexpected perk?
A wave of fresh insights from nonprofit and community events around Charlotte.
With budget cuts, frozen funding and growing uncertainty, nonprofits are feeling the strain. As a brand and graphic designer who partners closely with mission-driven teams, I wanted to better understand how folks are navigating all this, especially when it comes to engaging donors, winning grants and rising above the political noise.
So I started showing up and listening.👂
Below are 3 powerful takeaways that I wanted to share from these recent events: the PRSA Charlotte Communications Symposium, the GEO (Grantmakers for Effective Organizations) 2025 Learning Conference and the Charlotte Association for Fundraising Professionals Luncheon.
1. How do we talk about DEI right now? 🗣️
2. What does it mean to uplift through equity and trust? 🤝
3. How do we win grants in 2025? 🌟
Let’s dig in! ⬇️
1. How do we talk about DEI right now? 🗣️
With DEI under intense scrutiny, many nonprofits are unsure how to move forward in their communications.
At the PRSA Symposium, Dr. Karen Lindsey of Elon University offered this advice:
👉 Ground your messaging in your organization’s core values.
Instead of relying on the acronym, talk about what it really means – community, respect, trust and belonging. These are values your stakeholders and donors likely already share.
You can also spell out “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion” (or add “Belonging”) to help reconnect people to its meaning.
If needed, try “Inclusion and Belonging” to sidestep charged language while staying true to your mission.
The key is to communicate with care, but not go silent. Transparency builds trust, even in uncertain times.
2. What does it mean to uplift through equity and trust? 🙌
At the GEO Learning Conference, one message came through loud and clear: when we center our work on equity, trust and community, we uplift others and ourselves.
Two concepts especially stood out:
- Asset framing focuses on people’s strengths and aspirations instead of what they lack.
- Trust-based philanthropy shifts the power dynamic between funders and grantees, offering long-term flexible support built on mutual respect.
Both approaches prioritize relationships over transactions and are grounded in the belief that dignity and trust lead to lasting change.
Bottom line:
👉 Equity, trust and connection uplift everyone – ourselves, our work and our communities.
3. How do we win grants in 2025? 🌟
I don’t have to tell you that securing grant money is tough right now. With budget cuts, freezes and more organizations applying, the competition is steep.
But there is a way forward.
At the AFP luncheon, Autumn Keck from Scribe LLC shared some very timely strategies in her session, “How to Win Grants in 2025 and Beyond.” I was all ears.
She reminded us just how essential the fundraising fundamentals still are: doing targeted research to find the right fit, building strong relationships with funders, following up consistently and showing your impact through thoughtful evaluation.
If you’re already doing all of that, kudos. You’re ahead of the game. 🙌
But there was one more big takeaway that Autumn saved for the end of her talk, and it really aligned with the work that I do.
👉 It’s the idea that to win grants, you also have to stand out. I think of it as visibility.
Funders need to see the good work you’re doing, clearly and consistently.
That means sharing your stories of impact and stewardship across your communication channels – your website, newsletters, social media and more.
What it takes to stand out:
- Publish newsletters and impact reports that share real stories, celebrate grant wins, promote fundraising events and thank your supporters.
- Repurpose that content for social media so your presence stays current and mission-focused.
- Be consistent and proactive in communicating your impact and values.
Standing out doesn’t mean shouting. It means showing up with purpose.
It’s about clarity, credibility and connection.
You want funders and donors to see that your organization is strong, strategic and committed to lasting change.
How will you stand out this year and beyond? 🤩
As we near the end of FY2025 and enter reporting season, how will you ensure your organization and its impact story is visible and valued? What’s your plan for this year’s annual or impact report?
If you could use a fresh approach that helps you spark connection and inspire giving, grab my free guide:
👉 Level Up Your Annual / Impact Report: 3 Must-Haves to Engage Donors + Raise More Money
This donation-igniting guide will empower you and your team with the know-how to level up your annual / impact report, both verbally and visually, regardless of the economic landscape.
And if you’d rather have hands-on help creating a report that leaves funders and donors thinking, “Hell yes, I want to support them!” let’s talk.
Email me to schedule a free 30-minute consultation. I’d love to explore how we can uplift your mission and the people you serve.
Thanks for reading,
P.S. Just for fun: Shoutout to my client, Sydney Idzikowski from the UNC Charlotte Urban Institute, who joined me for a birding adventure at UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens! Total midweek magic! 🤩 Birds, beauty, and a reminder to slow down and listen. Are you a bird nerd? If not, what’s your favorite way to reset?
