Here's how you can effectively communicate the impact and outcomes of non-profit programs to the community.

Transparency, accountability and the ability to build community with other non-profits instead of remaining siloed (to increase and share funding, avoid duplication of effort and share accomplishments). Develop a community centric strategy for communications.

Our Artisans' Festival occurred this last weekend. We had a story in the local on-line news blog about our organization, all of the activities we have performed over the past many years, and our rationale for doing these activities. We aligned this activity with the outcomes we desired for our community. We collected data from all the stakeholders and then communicated back to them so they saw us as accountable and transparent.

People are inspired to act, participate, connect and contribute when they see their own stories in the stories of others. Stories give visceral meaning to organizational strategies and tactical activations, providing the “why” that is at the core of many non-profit organizations’ identity, mission and purpose. Data without stories may convey invaluable information needed for credibility, reporting, decision-making, analysis, and accountability. Data integrated into structured narratives as core content together WITH stories can move people, inspire hope, and fuel sustainable change in people’s lives and in communities. Stories are the lenses that focus our attention on paths connecting us to possibilities, aspirations, and dreams made real.

To be an effective storyteller, I do my best to connect with the audience I’m trying to reach. Traditional statistics fall flat, but not visualization tied to something that an audience will understand. Such as 10 minivans worth of people, versus 15% of the population served. Of course with a lack of quantitative data, qualitative information in the form of testimonials can be more impactful. Though if you have both, then tying emotion to need leads to community buy-in and increased social capital.

By involving the community in that community conversation and having many perspectives and contextualized outcomes centered on the community's lived experience in the communication delivery.

Storytelling with visuals such as photography and graphic design help to engage and inform at so many levels. While data, facts and statistics are very important for describing outcomes, visuals and graphics can help to engage our thinking and perceptions more deeply.

Visual representations of impact engage different parts of the brain and can evoke an emotional connection to the work. Combining visuals with quantitative data (outputs and outcomes) is a winning move, especially when you have limited time to engage stakeholders.

Visual evidence can be a great way of showing the work that you have been involved in and will communicate to the community about your compelling way to highlight the positive impact your organization has on those it serves

Communities appreciate staying informed about the status of programs and campaigns, which helps to maintain their engagement and involvement. Whether through social media or newsletters, these updates serve to keep your program fresh in their minds, ensuring its continued relevance. Furthermore, it fosters increased dialogue within the community, whether initiated by the organization, supporters, or community members.

One thing that I try do is to live the message I want to share with others. When you live your message others will know what you stand for without you ever saying a word.

Metrics need to be shared using clear, direct language. Any statements that explain data need to make clear connections to what the data is showing, without any inclusion of value statements. Simple language that clearly connects claims to data points is so powerful, and it takes thoughtful editing not to dilute this power. It's about finding meaningful metrics and making sure the message is evident!

I believe that community involvement is one of the most missed opportunities to share the impact of a program. As I tell my children, if you have a question, you need to ask. Many things can be missed simply by looking at numbers. You may not think that you’re making significant changes if they’re solely shown in percentages and charts. But the salience of hearing the individuals that you are trying to support share what has helped them is priceless.

I've always found that empowering the community to become stakeholders instead of spectators from the very beginning is a really effective tool in helping projects to move forward.

Engaging your community is the key to success in nonprofit programming. They have some/most/or all (at times) of the answer you need to make your programming the most impactful it can be. Involving them in your mission is a must-have through seeking their feedback and acting on the most relevant insights. In addition, highlighting your champions such as volunteers, partners, board members and donors helps everyone feel like they are making a difference, and generates future engagement. Of course, inviting folks to community events also provides a forum to share, celebrate and improve your work because as folks see themselves contributing to your success, they'll feel even more invested in your future.

Transparency builds trust. Being open about your goals, challenges, and the steps you're taking to overcome them can be both liberating and help galvanize new ideas from trusted sources. Candid communication can foster stronger relationships, demonstrate your growth mindset and show your commitment to outside feedback.

In my experience, the most genuine and effective way to share the impact of nonprofits in a community is to let the community tell the story. This is not one specific case study or a nicely produced campaign, it is letting individuals and organizations who experienced the impact share their experiences in their own way in their communities . It also includes letting people share the challenges involved with the project and the struggles with issues like collaborating with groups that have different perspectives. I have had the pleasure of working with groups of organizations, each having different perspectives. Then seeing the results of working together towards a common goal. This is very powerful and even more importantly, inspiring.

The first step is to define larger community. Does the larger community know anything about your work or is it a group familiar with your Mission. This will help determine the means of communication. A letter to a purchased list to non donors will be different in emphasis from an annual Appeal to known supporters.

Leveraging different platforms can reach diverse audiences. However, going deep within one or two platforms may be a better strategy when just starting off. Either way, working your plan with clarity and consistency gives you the best chance to cut through the noise and reach your audience.