Nonprofit Resource Library
I hope you find these resources helpful as you navigate the world of digital marketing for your nonprofit. Please note: This page is in the process of being updated. If you’d like to recommend a product or service to be listed, please contact me.
Website Resources
Every website needs a website terms & conditions and privacy policy. Get your privacy policy template and more over at The Contract Shop – my go-to resource for all things contracts.
Want $10,000 a month in free Google Ad Grant money? My friends at ConnectAd are ready to help you apply and manage the grant to get the best results! Find them right here to get started: https://connectad.ca/google-grants-management/
Six things you need to know about your website: These six pieces of key information can make or break your nonprofit. Use this guide to keep track of all your tech info and avoid a crisis the next time your website is down.
Ideal client or donor worksheet: Stop! Before you write (or rewrite) your website content, use this worksheet to define your ideal donor or client. When you have clarity on who is reading, you will write better content.
Write a better call-to-action: Forget “learn more!” Use these unique CTA phrases to move readers around on your website and get them where you need them to go.
Ten-minute ideas: 20 ideas on how to use 10 minutes of your time in a more meaningful and productive way
How to Use Your Nonprofit Website to Fundraise guide from FindLaw
Email Resources
Email Template Kit - lots of examples for emails to send to new donors! (PDF opens in a new window)
Email Stat Tracking Sheet (Google Sheet) — log in to Gmail, click the link, and make a copy to use for your own email tracking!
Industry standards for email metrics from Campaign Monitor (link opens in a new window)
Email Checklist: Use this checklist to help you stay organized and avoid regret once you hit the send button!
Growing your email list - Lead magnet (or opt-in) idea for your nonprofit: Are you still asking people to sign up for your newsletter? I hate to tell you but most just won’t. Use these ideas to give website visitors a compelling reason to join your email list!
Email Platform choices: Trying to decide on an email platform? Here are some companies to consider (plus save $20 off MailerLite with my promo link inside!)
Subject Line formulas: 25 Subject Line ideas for your next email - just replace “X” with your nonprofits’ specific information
Board of Director Resources
Best-selling templates for the Nonprofit Executive Director Board Report Template and the Upside-Down Board Meeting Agenda Templates - shop both here.
Build a Better Board Strategy Guide: Learn how to get the right people around your board table so you can lead your nonprofit with confidence, and raise more money. (now included inside the Free Template Bundle)
Building a better board orientation program from Nielsen Training & Consultants
Wow your new board members with a customizable Board Member Welcome Guide - find it inside the Nonprofit Template Library
Online Fundraising Resources
How to build a more effective online donation form using PayPal {a tutorial video}
Re-grouping on your fundraising plan? Use this Gift Pyramid Calculator to see how many gifts you need to make your goals happen!
(Note: this is a Google Sheet. To make a copy for your own purposes, log in to a Gmail account before you click the link
The ultimate list of tech resources you need, all in one place, to maximize results! Don’t let the list overwhelm you — bookmark this page and save it for later when you need something!
Bookkeeping / Accounting
Are you still using Excel to manage your donations? Consider using Quickbooks to help you improve your systems and reporting!
Learn more about QuickbooksLooking for a free accounting program to help you do the basics (track transactions, reconcile statements, manage invoices…) — Check out Wave!
Websites
Easily create your privacy policy and terms and conditions document with templates from The Contract Shop
Quickly checks for dead links and get those fixed using Dead Link Checker
Need to know your IP address? This is a great site (WizCase) and the data is accurate and easy to read.
Find out what platform your website is built on using BuiltWith
Find out who your domain is registered with using the WhoIs Directory or read my Domain FAQs for more info
Understand who is hosting your website with WhoisHostingThis.com (and check out their awesome guide to website hosting, too!)
See how your website is displayed on different devices using the Responsivator
Need to see an old page that no longer exists on your website? Find it using the Wayback Machine!
Create shorter, more memorable links using Bitly
Online Giving
Re-grouping on your fundraising plan? Use this Gift Pyramid Calculator to see how many gifts you need to make your goals happen!
(Note: this is a Google Sheet. To make a copy for your own purposes, log in to a Gmail account before you click the link)Squarespace users — you can use the Donate block right within your website and connect it to either a PayPal or Stripe account.
Quick and easy approach: Get your nonprofit set up for online giving in just one day with PayPal
Explore all that Snowball Fundraising has to offer for online giving
Fundraising platform and payment processor all in one with Givebox
Bloomerang offers donor management software and online giving all in one
Donorbox offers great donation form options and robust options for recurring monthly giving
MobileCause is a great option for online fundraising and text to give capabilities
Check out Give Lively for fundraising pages, peer-to-peer fundraising, and online event options
Before you choose an online giving platform, make sure your platform meets all the criteria I talk about in the Online Giving Guide (inside the free template bundle)
Human Resources / Nonprofit Management
Attorney-approved contract templates from The Contract Shop
Information on employee handbooks, recruiting, performance reviews, and more from Skye HR Consulting
Shortcuts
Copy and paste the copyright symbol right here on the Symbols website
Insert arrows and other symbols using this page
Using a Mac? Press and hold Control + Command + Space Bar to bring up the symbols menu. Just click the one you want to insert it!
Social Media
Use the right image sizes on every platform to increase engagement and look more professional. Use this great cheat sheet from Buffer!
Is your website showing up funky when you link to it on Facebook? Debug it here!
Schedule your social media posts using Hootsuite for free! Or, see if you qualify for a free plan!
Schedule Facebook or Instagram posts using Creator Studio right within your own Facebook page.
Design Tools
Need to make your logo transparent? Read this blog post about the easy way to do it with no software required
Create graphics that wow using Canva {Nonprofits can apply to get the Pro version of Canva free}
Create beautiful social media graphics for free using either of these great sites: Over and Pablo
Find the perfect color palette using this free color wheel tool
Create a button in just a few steps and save it as an image using Da Button Factory
Use Placeit to place your website directly into one of these free mockups (no Photoshop required!). They offer thousands of photo and video templates.
Free icons — png, ico, icns, and vector files
What font is that? Use FontFace Ninja to figure out what font is being used on a website
Need help in the Mid-Ohio Valley? Contact SW Graphics for your next design or printing project!
Track and measure your progress
Squarespace users can use the built-in analytics feature right within your website.
Use Google Analytics to track and measure your website traffic and understand your website visitors’ behavior.
Stock Photography
Customize your website and digital marketing resources without hiring a photographer! My favorite stock photography resources are all free (but be sure to read this post before you start using stock!)
Free Stock Photo websites
Pikwizard (a mix of free and paid options with lots of people-photos to choose from!)
If you don’t mind paying for great photos (always a smart investment), here are two great options:
Photo Compression
Before you upload any photos to your website, be sure to resize them appropriately without losing quality!
Online Survey Tools
Squarespace users should use the built-in form options to host surveys on their website (for free)!
Free Survey Maker from JotForm (280+ free survey templates, save responses to Google Sheets, and re-direct the thank you page to your own website)
Typeform (all the bells and whistles, free for three forms and paid options beyond that)
Wufoo (great features, limited forms on the free plan)
Email Marketing Platforms
Mailchimp - basics for nonprofits and easy to use! Free for those with small lists and less need for features
Constant Contact - free for United Ways! Limited features but allows you to target groups and segments.
Mailerlite - great for automation and my favorite way to add pop-ups to my website. It’s free for lists under 1,000 and only $84/annually to upgrade and get some great options! Save $20 off your annual subscription when you use my link!
Squarespace Email Campaigns - if you already have a Squarespace website, integrating your email marketing right inside your website platform is super smart. Check out their email campaign pricing here.
Build your email lists
Squarespace users — use your built-in announcement bar and pop-ups without having to integrate third-party software!
Sumo - pop-up boxes that convert!
Video Hosting
Time-Saving Tools
Manage your workflow, proposals, contracts, invoices, and more in the all-in-one CRM with Dubsado
Use the Simplified Planner to keep your days straights and your life organized (that link saves you $10)
Organize your workflow with Trello
Schedule group bookings, experiences, or appointment-based services with Baluu
Schedule one-on-one meetings using Acuity and stop the email back-and-forth or check out Calendly for a scaled-down version
Use Doodle to figure out what time works best for a group (great for volunteers/boards)
Sign documents online with Docusign
Share files with team members or trusted volunteers using Dropbox
Use GoogleDrive to have access to documents, sheets, presentations, and files on the go
Use any of the templates in the Nonprofit Template Library to save time!
Local (WV) Resources
Find training opportunities, capacity-building programs, workshops, and more with Nonprofits LEAD
Join WVNPA to help strengthen the impact and effectiveness of your organization and take a look at their Principles & Practices Assessment which is a fantastic tool!
Apply for grants, participate in the Give Local campaign or start an endowment at the Parkersburg Area Community Foundation
Join forces with United Way Alliance of the Mid-Ohio Valley to connect volunteers, apply for funding, and get connected with other nonprofits