Summary: A printed nonprofit calendar serves as a constant reminder of the important work you do, how people can get involved, and why your mission is worthy of your supporters’ gifts. In this article, we discuss how to make your nonprofit calendar memorable and functional so supporters engage throughout the year.
In an age of digital everything, there’s a reason why small nonprofits print and distribute print calendars. They can be a powerful tool for engaging supporters and spreading the word about your mission and impact.
A beautifully designed calendar filled with meaningful content, whether hanging on a wall or sitting on a desk, serves as a constant reminder of how your nonprofit makes a difference.
Also, it’s no coincidence that wall-mounted digital calendars are now being created to closely resemble print calendars. People like having something they can see and touch without having to dig into an app!
What Makes a Nonprofit Calendar Memorable?
Well, think about the same things that make your website, social media feeds, and newsletter memorable.
- Heartwarming photos and imagery that capture your mission.
- Powerful stories that show the impact of your programs.
- Educational information that increases understanding of what you do and how you do it.
- Real people at the heart of everything – staff, volunteers, and those who benefit from your mission.
For example, a calendar for an animal shelter might feature adoptable pets, photos of adoption moments, success stories, and information about the shelter’s day-to-day operations and needs.
Ideas for Using a Calendar to Tell Your Nonprofit’s Mission Story
Highlight a different aspect of your work each month. This will allow you to tell each story in more detail. You can feature one program, success story, or milestone per month.
Write a caption for each photo to reinforce what is happening in that photo and how your nonprofit made an impact.
A calendar gives you the perfect opportunity to share important dates throughout the year, such as:
- Signature fundraising events
- Giving days and major fundraising campaigns and appeals
- End-of-year fundraising reminders
- Awareness days and months related to your mission
- Well-known community events (parades, tree lighting, festivals, etc.)
- Major holidays
Design Tips to Increase Engagement
Maintain consistent branding throughout the calendar, including your nonprofit logo, colors, and fonts.
Use large, high-resolution photos that look professional and capture the moment.
Incorporate concise messages that tie back to your mission with headlines that attract attention.
Create a layout with dedicated space for notes. Also, use large date blocks that are easy to read and provide plenty of space for supporters to fill in events, tasks, and reminders. The more people engage with the calendar, the better!
How Your Donor Management Software Can Help
Your donor management software is filled with organized data and content that informs your calendar strategy.
Where would it make sense to highlight certain stories of impact? What photos are tied to those stories and events? Which donors and volunteers should you feature, and how should you go about seeking their permission? What’s the best way to distribute your calendars to supporters?
Your donor management software can help take the guesswork out of calendar creation so it features content that matters most to your supporters!
A well-designed, data-informed calendar keeps your mission visible every day, usually many times per day! Use your calendar to tell your story, engage supporters, and keep them informed about your fundraising, events, and programs throughout the year!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why should nonprofits create printed calendars?
Printed calendars provide daily visibility for your mission and keep supporters consistently engaged throughout the year. - What content should be included in a nonprofit calendar?
Include impact stories, photos, key events, awareness days, and donor or volunteer highlights to create meaningful engagement. - How can a nonprofit calendar improve donor engagement?
By offering useful space for notes and reminders, supporters interact with the calendar regularly, reinforcing their connection to your organization. - What design elements make a nonprofit calendar effective?
High-quality images, consistent branding, readable layouts, and clear messaging all contribute to an effective and engaging calendar. - How does donor management software help with calendar creation?
It provides valuable data on supporters, events, and stories, helping you create a calendar that is relevant, personalized, and strategically impactful.
