Engage More People in Your Mission!

I love non-profit organizations. I love the missions, the passion, and the commitment. I’m honored when I get to help you craft and
then share your story. My work has taken me into pretty much every sector of the non-profit world, including education,
arts & humanities, human services, social services, healthcare and many others.

Since 2004, I have collaborated with more than 100 non-profit organizations all over Michigan (and even a few around the country!)
to support annual fundraising*, volunteer recruitment, donor relations, campaign fundraising* and more.


*Just to clarify: I am not a fundraising consultant. I create materials to support fundraising, but fundraising per se is not my specialty.
But don’t worry…if you need that resource, I have some great collaborators in mind!

Marketing Services for Non-Profits

  • Strategic planning

  • Identity packages (logo, stationery, branding guide, templates)

  • Case for support (annual fund or campaign)

  • Annual appeal letters

  • Printed collateral (brochures, direct mail, newsletters, flyers)

  • Event support materials

  • Campaign support materials

  • Board handbooks

  • Market/donor research

  • Electronic marketing (websites, e-mail marketing)

  • Grant writing

  • Articles and press releases

  • And virtually any other marketing/communications tool

A Few of My Clients

Small to Mid-Size

Flint Children’s Museum
Flint Public Library
Girls on the Run (Kent County)
Great Lakes Recovery Centers
Harbor Hall Foundation
Huron County Community Foundation
North Ottawa Wellness Foundation
Northwest Michigan Habitat for Humanity
Shelby Township
Soo Locks Children’s Museum 
St. John’s Lutheran School
Tri-Cities YMCA

A Little Larger

Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Symphony
National Kidney Foundation of Michigan
Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
Trinity Health
Trinity Health - Grand Haven
Van Andel Institute
West Michigan Aviation Academy & Foundation

 

Gallery

Here are a few examples of my non-profit work. Hover over each image to get a quick description of the client need and our solution, or click to view the entire portfolio piece.

 
CAMPAIGN SUPPORT This client was planning a capital campaign to create a safe, welcoming space for their one-of-a-kind collection. I started working with them at the beginning of the campaign to build their potential donor base and communicate their…

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT

This client was planning a capital campaign to create a safe, welcoming space for their one-of-a-kind collection. I started working with them at the beginning of the campaign to build their potential donor base and communicate their story. In addition to traditional tools like direct mail and brochures, I also created unique solutions that met their specific needs…such as a customizable PDF-based brochure for group asks, and a virtual tour and house party package. I also created a new website for them and established an email marketing program.

IDENTITY PACKAGEHarbor Hall Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that raises money exclusively for Harbor Hall, a substance abuse treatment facility in northern Michigan. They needed a logo that connected to, but was uniquely different from, the Harbor Hall id…

IDENTITY PACKAGE

Harbor Hall Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that raises money exclusively for Harbor Hall, a substance abuse treatment facility in northern Michigan. They needed a logo that connected to, but was uniquely different from, the Harbor Hall identity. We created a beautiful logo that incorporated the lighthouse of Harbor Hall, but in a way that set the Foundation apart. We provided two logo compositions, color palette and fonts. We then designed a stationery suite and continue to bring the whole identity to life in printed collateral pieces.

DIRECT MAIL SERIES Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital was preparing to launch a significant campaign to enhance their pediatric services. However, many of their donors did not really understand the issues at stake with pediatric rehab, or the amazing therapeutic discoveries that have been made in childhood diseases like cerebral palsy. This mailing series was designed to deliver some fairly complex messages in a simple, fun and visual way. We paid careful attention to the branding standards that already existed, ensuring that these materials fit the identity of the hospital.

DIRECT MAIL SERIES

Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation Hospital was preparing to launch a significant campaign to enhance their pediatric services. However, many of their donors did not really understand the issues at stake with pediatric rehab, or the amazing therapeutic discoveries that have been made in childhood diseases like cerebral palsy. This mailing series was designed to deliver some fairly complex messages in a simple, fun and visual way. We paid careful attention to the branding standards that already existed, ensuring that these materials fit the identity of the hospital.

Shelby Township campaign brochure cover

CAMPAIGN BROCHURE

Shelby, Michigan is a rural farming community located along the northern shores of Lake Michigan.  In support of their economic development plan, they received a 35-acre parcel of land that they wanted to develop into a comprehensive community park. Since the campaign was being undertaken by a unit of municipal government, they did not have experience in fundraising communication.  We helped them create a storyline that would appeal to the civic pride of residents while weaving in a more economically-oriented message that would appeal to foundations and those in a position to advocate for public dollars.  We were intentional about creating a design that would appeal to the community without appearing too “slick” or “big-city.”  Gorgeous local photos paired with carefully chosen stock photography created an aspirational vision for the park and its role in the community.   

West Michigan Aviation Academy brochure

SCHOOL BROCHURE

West Michigan Aviation Academy is a private charter high school with a focus on STEM and aviation. I had worked with the school Foundation to create marketing materials, and the school realized that it needed to elevate its messaging to prospective students and community partners. I coordinated a photo shoot, wrote the copy and managed the design process. We also created a mix and match set of inserts (varying heights) that could be used to provide additional information based on audience.

Cover image for In the Moment book

PUBLISHED BOOK

The North Ottawa Wellness Foundation is a coalition of community leaders.  Its purpose is to bring awareness of the disconnect between our physical and emotional health, and further educate leaders about the debilitating consequences of this disconnect to long term health and wellbeing. The Foundation wanted to create a book that would capture local impact stories and help other people learn to use basic techniques for emotional wellbeing. I conducted interviews, wrote the stories and laid out the book. A local photographer partnered with us to provide gorgeous visuals that helped set the mood for this beautiful book. We published and distributed it in print as well as online.

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT This campaign represented a huge step for the Huron County Community Foundation. Their executive director was very concerned that the piece feel “like them.” She didn’t want something that felt too big city, or stock images that bore no resemblance to their community. This project also represented the first time they had worked with a marketing professional to create a branded look for the organization. We worked together to source original art and photos from local photographers. The resulting pieces showcased the beauty and unique aspects of the entire county. I used an existing case for support to craft the brochure, collaborated with the graphic designer to create a design standard and select photography, and then coordinated printing. We also designed a folder, insert sheets and a mailing campaign to complement this brochure.

CAMPAIGN SUPPORT

This campaign represented a huge step for the Huron County Community Foundation. Their executive director was very concerned that the piece feel “like them.” She didn’t want something that felt too big city, or stock images that bore no resemblance to their community. This project also represented the first time they had worked with a marketing professional to create a branded look for the organization. We worked together to source original art and photos from local photographers. The resulting pieces showcased the beauty and unique aspects of the entire county. I used an existing case for support to craft the brochure, collaborated with the graphic designer to create a design standard and select photography, and then coordinated printing. We also designed a folder, insert sheets and a mailing campaign to complement this brochure.

MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE This neighborhood organization needed to create a simple, inviting brochure that would encourage new residents to join the Park Association. We needed to make it compelling, visual and easy to use for volunteers who were going ou…

MEMBERSHIP BROCHURE

This neighborhood organization needed to create a simple, inviting brochure that would encourage new residents to join the Park Association. We needed to make it compelling, visual and easy to use for volunteers who were going out to solicit new members. This client wanted to make sure every photo represented “their” community, so I spent a lot of time combing through photographs! The result reflected the fun, camaraderie and diversity of the community.

DONOR NEWSLETTERNewsletters - both print and electronic - can be powerful communication tools. West Michigan Aviation Academy publishes a newsletter three times per year in order to remind donors about the impact of their gifts. I help select the ed…

DONOR NEWSLETTER

Newsletters - both print and electronic - can be powerful communication tools. West Michigan Aviation Academy publishes a newsletter three times per year in order to remind donors about the impact of their gifts. I help select the editorial content, do all the interviews, write the stories, coordinate design, and provide the file to the printer. All the Marketing Manager has to do is review and approve.

CAMPAIGN BROCHURE Every campaign is different. My job is to create a communication piece that speaks to the target audience. This was an interesting example. Although the Chamber is a non-profit organization, it was engaged in a campaign to get busi…

CAMPAIGN BROCHURE

Every campaign is different. My job is to create a communication piece that speaks to the target audience. This was an interesting example. Although the Chamber is a non-profit organization, it was engaged in a campaign to get business member sponsorships for a new facility. That’s a totally different language…one that has to take into account the “why” of a decision for a business owner. I wrote the case for support, then crafted the brochure from the case. The design reflects a transitional style, because the Chamber was also in the midst of a brand conversion and did not yet have clear graphic standards in place. They were thrilled with the way this brochure spoke to their stated intent.

DONOR NEWSLETTER This newsletter was created specifically to help increase the donor base for Flint Public Library. Since the Library receives public funding, people could not understand why philanthropy mattered, or what their gift could do. This tool, in addition to other strategies for donor acquisition, is helping to increase the donor base and tell the Library’s story in a clear and powerful way. We publish it three times per year, and also put an e-edition out via their email marketing tool. I help establish the editorial content, do all the interviews, write the stories, obtain approvals, coordinate design, and coordinate with the printer for distribution. Then I prepare and send the e-edition version.

DONOR NEWSLETTER

This newsletter was created specifically to help increase the donor base for Flint Public Library. Since the Library receives public funding, people could not understand why philanthropy mattered, or what their gift could do. This tool, in addition to other strategies for donor acquisition, is helping to increase the donor base and tell the Library’s story in a clear and powerful way. We publish it three times per year, and also put an e-edition out via their email marketing tool. I help establish the editorial content, do all the interviews, write the stories, obtain approvals, coordinate design, and coordinate with the printer for distribution. Then I prepare and send the e-edition version.

PLANNED GIVING BROCHURE Van Andel Institute is a global leader in research to find a cure for cancer and Parkinson’s. They needed communication materials that would explain their work and impact in simple, donor-friendly language. We originally intended this brochure to be the centerpiece for planned giving. However, once it was finished, we realized that it could have myriad uses within the development department. We created a new cover for three additional versions, thus keeping the story consistent and making efficient use of the investment.

PLANNED GIVING BROCHURE

Van Andel Institute is a global leader in research to find a cure for cancer and Parkinson’s. They needed communication materials that would explain their work and impact in simple, donor-friendly language. We originally intended this brochure to be the centerpiece for planned giving. However, once it was finished, we realized that it could have myriad uses within the development department. We created a new cover for three additional versions, thus keeping the story consistent and making efficient use of the investment.

EVENT LOGO & INVITATION

The Grand Rapids Symphony was looking to refresh its branding for Bravo!, an annual fundraising event.  We needed to give it new life and visual interest, while keeping it recognizable.  Our strategy involved using two of the letter forms as graphic elements.  The “V” became the arms of the conductor, and the “O” gave the illusion of half notes.  We chose a rich, elegant color palette that could be used in event materials, decor, and more. The invitation contained a beguiling graphic reminiscent of “Phantom,” with a gold filigree eye mask and whimsical gold swirls.  This graphic carried through on the invitation as well as the program.  

IMPACT REPORT

We needed to create a simple way to personalize the impact that a home can have on a Habitat partner. This impact report utilized simple infographics in a four-part layout to make information skimmable and compelling.