How can you creatively engage with your community offline?

1 Send personalized cards

One of the simplest and most effective ways to show your appreciation and interest in your community is to send them handwritten cards. Whether it's for a birthday, a thank you, a milestone, or a holiday, a card can convey your message and your personality in a tangible and memorable way. You can also use cards to invite your community to participate in a survey, a contest, a fundraiser, or a special event. Cards are inexpensive, easy to customize, and fun to receive.

2 Host a pop-up event

A pop-up event is a temporary and unexpected activity that can surprise and delight your community. You can host a pop-up event in a public space, such as a park, a street, a library, or a mall, and offer something that relates to your mission and your audience. For example, you can host a pop-up art exhibition, a pop-up book swap, a pop-up yoga class, or a pop-up trivia game. A pop-up event can attract attention, generate buzz, and create a sense of urgency and excitement.

3 Create a community mural

A community mural is a collaborative and creative project that can showcase your non-profit's values and vision, as well as your community's diversity and talent. You can invite your community to contribute to a mural on a wall, a fence, a window, or a canvas, using paint, chalk, stickers, photos, or other materials. A community mural can foster a sense of ownership, pride, and belonging, as well as beautify and transform a space.

4 Organize a scavenger hunt

A scavenger hunt is a fun and interactive way to engage your community offline and online. You can design a scavenger hunt that challenges your community to find clues, solve puzzles, and complete tasks related to your non-profit's cause and goals. You can hide the clues in different locations, such as your office, your partners' venues, your beneficiaries' sites, or your donors' businesses. You can also use QR codes, hashtags, or social media to link the clues and the tasks. A scavenger hunt can educate, entertain, and reward your community.

5 Start a book club

A book club is a great way to stimulate discussion and learning among your community. You can choose books that are relevant to your non-profit's theme and objectives, and invite your community to read and share their thoughts and insights. You can host the book club meetings in person or online, depending on the preferences and availability of your community. You can also invite guest speakers, such as the authors, experts, or beneficiaries, to join the book club and enrich the conversation.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?