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How to get your board's buy-in

How to get your board's buy-in

We’ve all been there. You and your team have poured endless hours into crafting the perfect communications strategy or advocacy plan. You’re proud, you’re excited… but there’s one last step: bringing it to your board.

As a leader at a foundation or nonprofit, you know that board buy-in is so much more than a rubber stamp or a vote of approval. You want early, sustained trust and partnership that turns a great plan into a smashing success. Getting to that feeling of being "all in" together is the result of a thoughtful, ongoing process.

Here are four simple shifts in the way you work to get that process in motion and earn that buy-in… every time.

Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test DavisJuly 17, 2025nonprofit communications, nonprofit board, board members, communications planning, communication goals, strategic communications, getting buy-in, nonprofit leadership

How to fund comms through grants

How to fund comms through grants

You’re working on that big grant proposal. I’m talking hours of research, planning and writing to craft that perfect pitch. But before you send it, wait! Did you remember to budget for actually telling people about the great work you’ll do if you win the funding?

Today, I’m sharing why you should include communications in your grant proposal.

Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Storytelling, Nonprofit Communications, Communications CampaignsNiki JuhaszJune 26, 2025nonprofit grant proposals, grant proposal best practices, communications in grant proposals, nonprofit communications, nonprofit grant writing, how to write a nonprofit grant proposal

The lawn sign that changed my life

The lawn sign that changed my life

It’s finally – FINALLY starting to warm up. (Your girl is not meant for the winter.) That means some days, I’ll take a lunch run to enjoy the sunshine.

I was on one of these runs last week, bored and thinking about needing to mix up my exercise routine. And then I passed a lawn sign. It simply said:

Free Outdoor Workout Classes

And then included a QR code.

While I’ve been a TAD dramatic saying it changed my life, this is brilliant marketing.

Here’s why:

Nonprofit Communications, School District Marketing, Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Communications Campaigns, Writing and MessagingNiki JuhaszMay 20, 2025billboard best practices, lawn sign best practices, smart marketing for nonprofits, smart marketing for associations, smart marketing for foundations, how to catch my audience's attention

Unlock your advocacy role

Unlock your advocacy role

Deepa has supported and led social justice work for over two decades with a focus on immigrant communities. Currently, she is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Building Movement Project where she develops programs and narratives on solidarity and social movements.

Figuring out where you fit as an advocate – and how you can make the most positive impact – can be tough, especially when things are changing. Every. Single. Day.

We see this challenge, and we simply say: Game on.

That’s why I recently interviewed author, lawyer and activist Deepa Iyer. Deepa is the brilliant mind behind the Social Change Ecosystem Map (pictured above).

This tool helps you (and your organization) find your place in the justice and equity-focused movements we work within every day.

During our conversation, Deepa shared how to find your footing in turbulent times.

We’re including Deepa’s thoughts (from her point of view!) below.

Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test DavisMay 15, 2025your role in the revolution, social change ecosystem map, Deepa Iyer, cp, communications campaign planning, coalition mapping, coalition roles, storytelling, storytelling for nonprofits

Why I’ve got LFG energy

Why I’ve got LFG energy

I’ve heard many experts compare the first few months of 2025 to the first few months of the COVID pandemic. People are feeling unsure, overwhelmed, confused and paralyzed. (That’s by design, by the way.) Yet, we learned during COVID that pausing your outreach and communications work is the wrong choice.

While we may need to shift our work – to change it to meet the moment – coming to a standstill is ultimately harmful for our communities. Here’s what you should do next.

Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test DavisApril 28, 2025nonprofit advocacy right now, how to move our advocacy forward, nonprofit storytelling campaigns, association storytelling campaigns, foundation storytelling campaigns, storytelling best practices, social media advocacy

How to find your trusted messengers

How to find your trusted messengers

In times of mistrust, it’s time to call in the reinforcements and boost your trusted messenger game.

Messengers are the people who influence your target audiences. They can support your work in a variety of ways – from sharing your posts on social media, to posting about your programs on their neighborhood listservs to sponsoring your programs.

Trusted messengers are people, or groups of people, your audiences are most likely to listen to. We’re sharing more strategies to harness their power in this blog.

Brand/Materials Creation, Most Popular, Writing and Messaging, Communications CampaignsEmily SwartzlanderApril 16, 2025trust, messengers, trusted messengers, messaging, audience research, core messaging, audiences, know your audience, finding the right messenger, identifying the best messenger

Why your people are stuck + how to fix it

Why your people are stuck + how to fix it

People are ready to fight back. They are ready to help. They are ready to "make good trouble."

Your audiences are looking for someone to tell them what to do.

If you’re a nonprofit or association leader, the person they are looking to is YOU. 🫵We’re sharing tips for how to do empower them today.

Most Popular, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, About ForthrightKatie Test DavisApril 7, 2025flooding the zone, overwhelming your audiences, freeze mode, messaging clearly, simplify your messaging, building clarity in messaging, single ask messaging

Unlock stronger coalition comms with a unified brand

A few weeks ago, I wrote about how coalitions can improve advocacy efforts by aligning around core messages and creating easy-to-use resources to better reach your audiences.

Today, I want to talk about the next step in successfully communicating about your coalition: creating a coalition brand.

Most Popular, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit Communications, About ForthrightKatie Test DavisApril 4, 2025brands, branding for advocates, coalitions, coalition comms, advocacy, partnership, how to brand, branding coalitions, coalition branding best practices

Perfect your post-conference email

Perfect your post-conference email

It’s the last day of your conference. You’ve been pounding the hotel hallways and working from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. You’re exhausted and ready to sleep in your own bed. But there’s just one thing left to do – send the final, perfect email to cap off your perfect conference.

Here are four tips to hit a game-winning home run for your last email to conference attendees.

Nonprofit Communications, Digital and Social Media, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisMarch 27, 2025conference, email best practices, association conference best practices, nonprofit conference best practices, your conference email sequence, how to send smart conference emails, what to send after your conference

Our best project management tips

Our best project management tips

You worked so hard on that campaign. It’s so, so close to finished…and then someone comes in and blows it all up. 💥

We’ve all been there. But it doesn’t have to be that way. You CAN have smooth processes and easy review rounds. We promise a brighter future exists.

Today, we’re sharing three tips – tactics we use with our own clients – to make sure your projects have a clear process and a clean launch.

How do we do it? Let’s dive into our special sauce.

Nonprofit Communications, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications Campaigns, School District MarketingNiki JuhaszMarch 19, 2025smart nonprofit project management, how to get design feedback, how to plan a nonprofit project, smart foundation project management, smart association project management, association communications, foundation communications

Calling coalitions: 3 steps to advocate effectively

Calling coalitions: 3 steps to advocate effectively

Coalitions have the power to create real, lasting change for children and families. And in times of uncertainty (like – you know – right now), coalitions can be particularly powerful.

But to create successful advocacy campaigns, coalitions need thoughtful, data-backed communications that work for all partners involved. On top of that, coalition leaders must ensure your work together is aligned so audiences can understand your vision and know how to take action and support your efforts.

Fortunately, coordinating your coalition’s communications work is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

Nonprofit Communications, Writing and Messaging, Brand/Materials Creation, Communications CampaignsEmily SwartzlanderMarch 7, 2025coalitions, advocacy, coalition comms, toolkits, logic model, partnerships, network, advocates

Get the right eyes on your new report

Get the right eyes on your new report

So you have new data, and you want to share that information with the world!

A report release can be a wonderful way to get eyes on your organization. But, take it from me – as someone who LOVES a good, ole’ fashioned report release – they can be a TON of work.

Before you start putting pen to paper, I want to share a few key questions to ask yourself as you prepare for your own report release.

Digital and Social Media, Brand/Materials Creation, Writing and Messaging, Media Relations, Storytelling, Communications Campaigns, Nonprofit CommunicationsKatie Test DavisFebruary 17, 2025report, report release, report writing for nonprofits, public relations for research reports, data visualization for reports, education research dissemination, nonprofit report release strategy, early childhood policy report, how to engage stakeholders with data, visualizing data in education reports

Avoid reacting 24/7 in a new year of noise

Avoid reacting 24/7 in a new year of noise

Political transitions can feel like drinking from a firehose. Headlines spark fear, social feeds rile people up, and your team looks to leadership wondering: should we say something about this?

Over the next few months, the noise is only going to get louder and louder.

But here's the thing – you can’t sprint against the wind for months or years at a time.

And you definitely can't let each bill proposal or sound bite throw your communications strategy out of whack and put your team on the defensive line.

Here are three tips to prevent your team from living in reaction mode for the next year (or four).

Storytelling, Writing and Messaging, Nonprofit Communications, Digital and Social Media, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisJanuary 21, 2025internal communications, strategic planning, message fatigue, social media, narrative clarity

Your work is important.

Your work is important.

As child and family advocates, I understand what we’re up against in 2025 (and beyond) and… I’m feeling energized.

The challenges ahead of us are communications challenges, and at Forthright, we’re poised to meet the moment.

Here’s what I see as the work ahead:

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Most Popular, Communications Campaigns, About ForthrightKatie Test DavisDecember 16, 2024storytelling, community listening, strategic communications, motivation for communicators, how to communicate in 2025, communications as an act of love

How to help overwhelmed parents

How to help overwhelmed parents

Parents and caregivers need our help.

I’ve led work that supports parents and caregivers for two decades.

I’ve also been a parent for nearly 13 years.

And over time, I’ve noticed a growing trend. Parents and caregivers are overworked, overstressed and overwhelmed – and it’s impacting their health.

As communicators and leaders, there are three easy guidelines you can follow to ensure your messages break through the noise to reach this overwhelmed (but critical!) audience.

What to do now after the election results

What to do now after the election results

At Forthright, we condemn white supremacy, xenophobia, and all forms of hate and oppression. Alongside our clients and partners, we stand firmly committed to the fights for justice, equality and a sustainable future.

While it may be tempting to succumb to panic and emotional language given the very real challenges we’re up against, we want to invite you to take a deep breath and remember what you know – and be honest about what you don’t.

After these election results, it’s up to us to advocate even smarter and harder for and with those we serve. We’re not giving up. And I know you’re not giving up, either.

Here’s where to start.

Nonprofit Communications, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisNovember 6, 2024nonprofit communications, nonprofit advocacy during times of uncertainty, communications during elections, crisis communications for nonprofits, how to communicate after Trump's win

Reach *all* parents in your community

Just Google it. I’ll send you the link. Sign up online.

These days, we assume everyone has internet access at home. But here’s the thing. That’s still not the case. 2024 Pew Research Center data tells us about a fifth of homes in America still don’t have broadband access.

We’re including tips to reach these families – while celebrating your district – below.

School District Marketing, Communications Campaigns, AccessibilityNiki JuhaszOctober 31, 2024Reaching families without internet access, Inclusive school communication strategies, How to connect with all families in the district, Marketing school nutrition programs, Direct mail outreach for schools, Inclusive campaigns for school districts, Building brand awareness in school districts

Behind the scenes of one of my favorite projects this year

Behind the scenes of one of my favorite projects this year

“Close your eyes, and imagine an America where we have gotten childcare right.

The Reimagine Childcare Project has spent the last two years co-creating and building a radical new Vision of childcare.

It imagines a future where childcare looks and feels abundant.

One where we make sure every child, parent, guardian, and provider is whole and happy. One where everyone has exactly what they need to become who they are meant to be.”

GAH, doesn’t it just give you goosebumps?

Brand/Materials Creation, Digital and Social Media, Storytelling, Communications CampaignsKatie Test DavisOctober 26, 2024Innovative Childcare Solutions, Early Childhood Advocacy, Supporting Families and Caregivers, Childcare Resources and Tools, Building Childcare Equity, Childcare Policy and Change, Holistic Child Development, Community-Based Childcare

How to give "an exclusive" to a reporter

How to give "an exclusive" to a reporter

Today, we’re tackling one of the most elusive and confusing parts of media relations: the exclusive.

Simply put, an exclusive is when you offer a story to one single reporter, and promise that you won’t share the story with anyone else until after your chosen reporter shares the news first.

Let’s break that down.

School District Marketing, Nonprofit Communications, Communications Campaigns, Media RelationsNiki JuhaszSeptember 23, 2024nonprofit media coverage, news pitching tactics, offering exclusives, reporter relationships, exclusive news tips, pitching journalists, exclusives in pr, media relations, nonprofit storytelling

Your easy button for new parent communication

Your easy button for new parent communication

Schools have opened their doors for another school year. As a communications professional, I’ve been pleasantly surprised with the information sent from our new elementary school. I know exactly when school starts. We’ve gotten our school supplies list and know our teacher assignments and class schedules.

Yet, as a parent of a kindergartner and a first grader in a new school district, I still have so many questions! For example: What types of opportunities for free play are built into the day? How much screen time are kids actually getting each day? What if my kid falls asleep on the floor because she’s 5 and sometimes just needs a nap?

As a school leader, it’s important to realize that kindergarten parents and new parents are a rare breed. This audience doesn’t have the experience or insights that your returning families bring to a new school year. Everything is new for them, and your communications efforts must reflect that – not just during this back-to-school season, but throughout the year.

By helping families understand what their child’s day looks like during school, they become more confident and comfortable with their decision to share their children with you and your staff.

School District Marketing, Communications CampaignsLauren EmpsonAugust 23, 2024back-to-school, students, parents, parent communications, school communications, new families, kindergarten