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What is the best way to bring attention and members to your non profit organization?
I'm in the process of starting a NPO focused on the lack of women in STEM and the empowerment of female leaders. #women-in-stem #engineering #business #computerscience
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9 answers
Updated
Belle Estee’s Answer
Hi Michal! In my experience, I've found that NPO have the best success in gaining support and members when you bring your organization to the population you are trying to serve. For you, this may be collaborating with college organizations within an STEM schools (i.e. engineering), a tech company, or another female empowerment NPO. In your collaboration, you will also be able to network with other professionals that serve the same community; therefore, increasing your likelihood for success at your own NPO.
Working with college organizations may be the easiest route if you're looking to get your name out there, so I'd recommend performing a Google search of nearby engineering colleges. You can try collaborating with their student-run organizations or career development/advising department by leading a discussion about female leaders or helping with resume reviews for women in STEM.
These are just some suggestions! I hope this helps :)
Working with college organizations may be the easiest route if you're looking to get your name out there, so I'd recommend performing a Google search of nearby engineering colleges. You can try collaborating with their student-run organizations or career development/advising department by leading a discussion about female leaders or helping with resume reviews for women in STEM.
These are just some suggestions! I hope this helps :)
Thank you! This was very helpful!
Michal
Updated
Nate’s Answer
Hi Michal,
I'm glad you are focused on women in STEM and female empowerment. I'm a millennial male working in Tech, but the tech culture is often suffocating even for me. We need more female voices to come in and improve tech culture and provide needed leadership.
One of the challenges in growing a nonprofit is finding people to get things done. Often, the organization starts with just one or two people doing everything, and that can be exhausting.
I encourage you to list out all the responsibilities and necessary tasks for your organization and itemize them. Then, evaluate what your board members and employees are currently contributing. Figure out if there is more they can do to build and grow the organization. Or perhaps you can delegate some of your time consuming tasks to them, and use your time more effectively to network with people in the community.
You can also use social media effectively to target specific demographics and increase visibility for female students in tech schools or tech geographical areas. This may involve some cost, but the increased awareness and the ability to network with people this way my far outweigh the financial cost.
Get involved in your local community. Find ways to set up a table with materials and swag at school fairs, or local events. Find promotional material or swag that you can pass out. Contact local high schools to line up times to speak to their students about going into STEM careers. Find local companies who will champion your cause. You'd be surprised how many companies would love to partner with a non profit for a good cause and they may even be willing to partner by donating gift cards for you to use in incentives and programs that you run for your members.
Don't forget to utilize strong video technology to tell success stories. 3 minute video stories that highlight the success of going into STEM will have a influential effect on your potential members. You want to drive more than membership. You want people joining your cause because they believe in it and they know it can change the world.
I'm glad you are focused on women in STEM and female empowerment. I'm a millennial male working in Tech, but the tech culture is often suffocating even for me. We need more female voices to come in and improve tech culture and provide needed leadership.
One of the challenges in growing a nonprofit is finding people to get things done. Often, the organization starts with just one or two people doing everything, and that can be exhausting.
I encourage you to list out all the responsibilities and necessary tasks for your organization and itemize them. Then, evaluate what your board members and employees are currently contributing. Figure out if there is more they can do to build and grow the organization. Or perhaps you can delegate some of your time consuming tasks to them, and use your time more effectively to network with people in the community.
You can also use social media effectively to target specific demographics and increase visibility for female students in tech schools or tech geographical areas. This may involve some cost, but the increased awareness and the ability to network with people this way my far outweigh the financial cost.
Get involved in your local community. Find ways to set up a table with materials and swag at school fairs, or local events. Find promotional material or swag that you can pass out. Contact local high schools to line up times to speak to their students about going into STEM careers. Find local companies who will champion your cause. You'd be surprised how many companies would love to partner with a non profit for a good cause and they may even be willing to partner by donating gift cards for you to use in incentives and programs that you run for your members.
Don't forget to utilize strong video technology to tell success stories. 3 minute video stories that highlight the success of going into STEM will have a influential effect on your potential members. You want to drive more than membership. You want people joining your cause because they believe in it and they know it can change the world.
Wow thank you so much Nate! I love that you provided very specific advice and steps I should take to improve my organization. I will definitely be following your advice, especially about video technology.
Michal
Updated
Melisa’s Answer
Hi Michal,
Thank you for such a thoughtful question. You’ve already received some great advice here and very specific suggestions for next steps. The only other thing I’ll add is to also use your creativity and innovation to reach others through social media or short videos as Nate shared.
I've seen some non-profits host "Instagram takeovers" or use of creative hashtags during key times of the year to encourage activation or more support for their work.
Also, check out some additional resources I’ve shared below.
Best wishes for future success in your goals!
women-in-stem engineering business computer-science
Consider finding a mentor or someone leading a non-profit you can ask to shadow or can learn more from.
Check out http://greatnonprofits.org and encourage your supporters to rate and post their experiences working with your organization.
Check out some of these Ted Talks for non-profit leaders. https://www.classy.org/blog/top-10-ted-talks-for-nonprofit-leaders/
Keep asking great questions!
Thank you for such a thoughtful question. You’ve already received some great advice here and very specific suggestions for next steps. The only other thing I’ll add is to also use your creativity and innovation to reach others through social media or short videos as Nate shared.
I've seen some non-profits host "Instagram takeovers" or use of creative hashtags during key times of the year to encourage activation or more support for their work.
Also, check out some additional resources I’ve shared below.
Best wishes for future success in your goals!
women-in-stem engineering business computer-science
Melisa recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Carlyn’s Answer
Hi Michal!
So great that you are working on gender equality in STEM. There is a method called ABCD community development, which stands for asset based community development. It is a really great frame work when thinking about establishing an organization. My first suggestion would be do to asset mapping to think through the simply what are the assets you have access to and how can you bring them to this organization. This may be personal contacts, financial resources, special skills, physical space. It can take on a wide range, but I would recommend taking a look at this guide. https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/resources/Documents/WhatisAssetBasedCommunityDevelopment.pdf
Good luck!
https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/resources/Documents/WhatisAssetBasedCommunityDevelopment.pdf
So great that you are working on gender equality in STEM. There is a method called ABCD community development, which stands for asset based community development. It is a really great frame work when thinking about establishing an organization. My first suggestion would be do to asset mapping to think through the simply what are the assets you have access to and how can you bring them to this organization. This may be personal contacts, financial resources, special skills, physical space. It can take on a wide range, but I would recommend taking a look at this guide. https://resources.depaul.edu/abcd-institute/resources/Documents/WhatisAssetBasedCommunityDevelopment.pdf
Good luck!
Carlyn recommends the following next steps:
Okay thank you so much! I will definitely do this and take a look at the PDF.
Michal
Updated
Herman’s Answer
Hey there Michal! It's amazing to see your initiative on this matter.
The first thing I'd recommend you do (depending on where exactly you are in the development of your NPO) is to really clarify and pinpoint your organization's value proposition. Also, try to see what other organizations are currently in existence that tackle the same / similar issue(s) as you.
After some digging, you may find that there are other groups on campus or organizations in your community that are geared towards similar ends. At that point, you'll want to really understand what it is that you want to do that is different. Do you have slightly different goals where your aims address a gap in the current NPO landscape? Do you have the same aims as others, but you feel they are not as effective or efficient as you could be?
Asking the above questions will not only help you ensure that your NPO provides value (which is the #1 most important factor in getting good attention and support from people), but *also* help you start to see potential partnership opportunities. Maybe it makes more sense to partner with an existing NPO with wider reach, or discuss how you can build something new from within their NPO's existing operating structure.
Never forget that often times, we really are stronger together, as opposed to pursuing individual aims.
The first thing I'd recommend you do (depending on where exactly you are in the development of your NPO) is to really clarify and pinpoint your organization's value proposition. Also, try to see what other organizations are currently in existence that tackle the same / similar issue(s) as you.
After some digging, you may find that there are other groups on campus or organizations in your community that are geared towards similar ends. At that point, you'll want to really understand what it is that you want to do that is different. Do you have slightly different goals where your aims address a gap in the current NPO landscape? Do you have the same aims as others, but you feel they are not as effective or efficient as you could be?
Asking the above questions will not only help you ensure that your NPO provides value (which is the #1 most important factor in getting good attention and support from people), but *also* help you start to see potential partnership opportunities. Maybe it makes more sense to partner with an existing NPO with wider reach, or discuss how you can build something new from within their NPO's existing operating structure.
Never forget that often times, we really are stronger together, as opposed to pursuing individual aims.
Yes, I have done this and have made sure my organization is definitely not just a girls coding program, as there are manyy out there. Thank you for the tips! I'll try to do some more research on similar organizations to collaborate with.
Michal
Updated
Ada Indira’s Answer
I am the president of a Non Profit Organization and you need to find ways to add value and connect with people. How? Knowing what motivates them.
You need to have a clear definition of your NPO purpose, values, mission and how that connects with the community.
I will recommend you to run a survey to understand the main reason that will drive people to join your organization. Are they looking for networking, new learning experiences, volunteer opportunities?
Once you have gathered that info you need to enable spaces and create activities that will add value to those interests
You also need to create a business model, even if it is a NPO. A business model will helps you to define who are your main stakeholders and allies .
Business Model Canvas is a good starting point.
You need to have a clear definition of your NPO purpose, values, mission and how that connects with the community.
I will recommend you to run a survey to understand the main reason that will drive people to join your organization. Are they looking for networking, new learning experiences, volunteer opportunities?
Once you have gathered that info you need to enable spaces and create activities that will add value to those interests
You also need to create a business model, even if it is a NPO. A business model will helps you to define who are your main stakeholders and allies .
Business Model Canvas is a good starting point.
Updated
Karleen’s Answer
WOW! sounds amazing.
If you are interested in starting this non-profit it must be because you really want to show the need for this work. Are there studies or different research that will allow you to show the need for your work in ways that speak to the need? Being able to show the disparities in numbers as well as pulling that together with stories is powerful. Is there a particular moment you realized you had to change this? Are there stories of people impacted by women in the STEM field that you want to highlight. I've always felt like in my experience in the non-profit world, when you are able to showcase real life stories with data its the best combination.
Having an online presence is important, videos, and visuals that speak to your work are key. using language that is easily digestible from a variety of groups.
If you are interested in starting this non-profit it must be because you really want to show the need for this work. Are there studies or different research that will allow you to show the need for your work in ways that speak to the need? Being able to show the disparities in numbers as well as pulling that together with stories is powerful. Is there a particular moment you realized you had to change this? Are there stories of people impacted by women in the STEM field that you want to highlight. I've always felt like in my experience in the non-profit world, when you are able to showcase real life stories with data its the best combination.
Having an online presence is important, videos, and visuals that speak to your work are key. using language that is easily digestible from a variety of groups.
Updated
Jemima A.’s Answer
From personal experience,
I started my NPO "Jemima's Think Tank Initiative in 2017. Getting the numbers of followers, workers and volunteers we have now wasn't easy.. Fortunately, my NPO is advancing..
The best way to create attention or get more followers/members to impact are;
* Have a well defined outline of what your NPO is offering
*Identify the individuals that fit into the mission and vision of your NPO.
*Organize awareness or online programs that will add value to the current members (they could convince others) or drag outsiders.
*Show authenticity and availability.
*Keep to your words and events.
*Do more of publicity.
* Have the right board of trustees or advisers or mentors
I started my NPO "Jemima's Think Tank Initiative in 2017. Getting the numbers of followers, workers and volunteers we have now wasn't easy.. Fortunately, my NPO is advancing..
The best way to create attention or get more followers/members to impact are;
* Have a well defined outline of what your NPO is offering
*Identify the individuals that fit into the mission and vision of your NPO.
*Organize awareness or online programs that will add value to the current members (they could convince others) or drag outsiders.
*Show authenticity and availability.
*Keep to your words and events.
*Do more of publicity.
* Have the right board of trustees or advisers or mentors
Thank you so much for these tips! You gave a very clear list of what I should work on.
Michal
Great...All the best
Jemima A. Chukwu
Updated
Schuyler’s Answer
A lot of awareness and hype is centered around easily accessible information. If your non-profit has a website, fantastic! Now you need to get the word out. Your audience will probably be younger if the goal is empowering women in STEM so for this I would recommend using social media. It can be as simple as having members of your non-profit post on their instagram story or tweet about what your mission is, and/or you can create a separate account just for your non-profit. Good luck!