Insights
Observations from our adventures in nonprofit branding.
Your Nonprofit Could Probably Use a Name TrimHow to update your name for modern times without “really” changing it
It’s Time to Change the Conversation About ChangeWhy strategy, branding, and design are essential to building a more just and joyous society
Telling a New Story About Philanthropic OrganizationsPhilanthropies have been through the wringer, as people question their motives and actions. Branding can help communicate your organization’s new reality.
Rowing In the Same DirectionTo what extent should your nonprofit’s mission line up with your employees’ personal values?
Renaming Your NonprofitA few hard truths worth sitting with
Branding Your Nonprofit? Your ED Should Not Lead the ChargeFor branding projects to be effective and run smoothly, you need the right person running point for your team.
Let Go of the JargonJust say what you mean.
Communication is a Basic Human Skill. Why Are We So Bad at It?If communication within your organization isn’t working, branding won’t save you.
Rebranding While In FluxHow to approach brand strategy when your organization is in a period of major transition.
Nonprofits in a World of Shifting PowerStaying relevant means bridging Old Power and New Power.
Branding Is Expecting. Marketing Is Parenting.Where one ends, the other begins.
Your Behavior Shapes Your Brand Which Shapes Your BehaviorYour visual identity attracts attention, but lasting impressions are built on reputation and trust earned through each interaction.
Your Brand’s First Impression Can Open or Close Doors. So Make it a Good One.People respond at a gut level to the way your brand shows up in the world.
Rebranding is Expensive. Is it Worth It?Real nonprofit leaders talk about expectations and outcomes from their rebranding projects.
Are Your People Well Equipped to Talk About Your Nonprofit?Your leadership team uses visionary language to describe your work; your staff should share that vocabulary, too.
The Ruthless Search for Your Nonprofit Brand’s Core IdeaBrand strategy results from synthesizing, distilling, and pruning to get down to a foundational idea. So how do you know when you’ve landed on the ideal strategy?
Branding Nonprofits is Different from Companies. Here’s Why, and Why it Matters.It’s tempting to look at consumer brands for inspiration when creating a brand for your organization. But are they really a reflection of who you are?
The Maple Syrup Approach to Nonprofit BrandingHow to develop a Grade A brand that distills your organization's pure authenticity.
Take Control of Your Brand or Someone Else WillThe public often has an incomplete or inaccurate view of your organization. Building a strong brand lets you define that narrative.
Does Rebranding Really Transform Nonprofits?I realize that, coming from a branding studio, this sounds like a slightly cynical, mostly rhetorical question, but hear me out. The answer might not be what you expect.
