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Nonprofit Skills®

Communications

The mission of a nonprofit is the driving force behind its existence, and being able to articulate that mission clearly to staff, volunteers, board members, funders, and the general public is imperative to the organization's success. The Nonprofit Skills®: Communications course helps learners develop the skills that are most needed in each facet of the nonprofit communication landscape, allowing them to communicate confidently with both internal and external audiences.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • In this course, you will focus on the following topics:
  • Communicating with the public
  • Communication styles
  • Communicating with staff
  • Communicating with your board
  • Communicating with volunteers

Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes communication skills essential for nonprofit professionals
Provides guidance on effective communication with various audiences, including the public, staff, board members, and volunteers
Taught by experts in nonprofit communications

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Reviews summary

Essential communication for nonprofit success

According to students, this course offers a comprehensive foundation for effective communication in the nonprofit sector. Learners highlight its focus on practical skills for interacting with diverse audiences, including staff, volunteers, board members, and the public. It is praised for helping professionals articulate their mission clearly and navigate various communication styles. Some may find it serves best as a foundational overview, rather than a deep dive into highly specialized communication tools or advanced strategies.
Excellent for beginners, but experienced may seek more depth.
"As someone new to the nonprofit field, this course provided an excellent introductory framework."
"It's a great starting point for foundational knowledge, though I'd seek more advanced specific topics elsewhere."
"I felt it offered a solid base, but experienced communicators might prefer more in-depth, nuanced discussions."
Aids in defining and communicating organizational mission.
"The guidance on clearly articulating our organizational mission was a major takeaway for me."
"I now feel more confident in communicating our purpose effectively to funders and stakeholders."
"It really solidified my understanding of how critical a clear mission statement is in all communications."
Covers diverse audiences and communication scenarios.
"I found it covered all the crucial communication aspects needed within a nonprofit, from staff to board."
"It really helped me grasp how to tailor my messages for different internal and external audiences."
"The course provided a holistic view of nonprofit communication, which was very beneficial."
Provides actionable strategies for real-world scenarios.
"I can immediately apply the communication strategies learned here to my daily tasks."
"This course gave me actionable insights and tools that directly improve my interactions at work."
"The emphasis on practical application made the content incredibly relevant and useful."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Nonprofit Skills®: Communications with these activities:
Read the Nonprofit Communications Handbook
This book provides a comprehensive overview of nonprofit communications best practices.
Show steps
  • Purchase the book
  • Set aside dedicated time for reading
  • Highlight key concepts and take notes
Prepare for the course by reviewing past coursework and study materials
Refresh your knowledge of effective communication, which is essential for every facet of the nonprofit sector
Browse courses on Effective Communication
Show steps
  • Review your notes, assignments, and quizzes from previous courses in the social sector
  • Research the latest trends and best practices in nonprofit communications
Organize Your Course Materials
Organizing your course materials can help you stay on top of your studies and easily access important information.
Show steps
  • Create a filing system for your notes
  • Keep a separate folder for each module
  • File your assignments in a timely manner
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Review Audience Analysis Techniques
Reviewing Audience Analysis Techniques can help you make sure your communications are relevant to the specific audiences you need to reach.
Browse courses on Audience Analysis
Show steps
Online Tutorial: Effective Communication for Nonprofit Professionals
Completing this guided tutorial can provide you with additional insights and strategies for effective communication in the nonprofit sector.
Show steps
  • Enroll in the online tutorial
  • Go through the tutorial modules
  • Complete any practice exercises or assessments
Create Sample Public Service Announcement
Creating sample Public Service Announcements can help put into practice what you learn about communicating with the public.
Show steps
  • Identify a public health or safety issue to address
  • Craft a clear and concise message
  • Choose an appropriate distribution channel
Role Play Communication Scenarios
Role playing different communication scenarios can help you practice and improve your communication skills with various stakeholders.
Browse courses on Communication Skills
Show steps
  • Identify common communication challenges
  • Develop role play scenarios
  • Practice role playing with peers
Design a Communications Plan for a Nonprofit
Creating a communications plan will help you apply the principles of effective communications to a real-world scenario.
Browse courses on Communication Skills
Show steps
  • Develop a communications strategy
  • Identify target audiences
  • Select appropriate communications channels
  • Create a budget and timeline

Career center

Learners who complete Nonprofit Skills®: Communications will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

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Course image
Effort
1 to 2 hours per week for 3 weeks
Level
Intermediate
Via
edX
Institution
MindEdge
Language
English
Transcript
English
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Emphasizes communication skills essential for nonprofit professionals
Provides guidance on effective communication with various audiences, including the public, staff, board members, and volunteers
Taught by experts in nonprofit communications
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