presented by Constant Contact featured partner CharityHowTo

Nonprofit organizations face unique challenges– mainly time and resources– in their mission to make a positive impact on communities. With many nonprofit staff and volunteers coming from varying backgrounds and wearing different hats, ongoing training and education can make a huge difference– but those limited resources can hinder the ability to prioritize that education. 

By partnering with reputable educational sources, nonprofits can equip their staff with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate complexities, stay ahead of emerging trends, and deliver meaningful change. This empowers organizations to optimize operations, improve decision-making, enhance program outcomes, and attract top talent. 

Moreover, investing in staff development demonstrates a commitment to professional growth, boosting employee morale, productivity, and overall organizational success. By recognizing the importance of training and education, nonprofits can overcome obstacles and thrive in an ever-changing landscape, ultimately achieving their goals and making a lasting difference.

Here are a few ways we are trying to solve this problem at CharityHowTo, along with Constant Contact, and the benefits that nonprofits can achieve.

CharityHowTo resources for your nonprofit 

At CharityHowTo, our mission is to make online ongoing education accessible. We aim to assist nonprofits in nonprofit management, marketing, and fundraising  without demanding significant time or financial resources. Through our experience and continuous feedback from nonprofits we collaborate with, we have discovered that these various educational tools and resources have proven helpful to nonprofit professionals:

Expert, educational courses: CharityHowTo offers a diverse range of courses taught by experienced instructors who are industry experts in the nonprofit sector. With dozens of topics and hundreds of courses, professionals can find relevant training to meet their specific goals, whether it’s career growth, fundraising, marketing, or other areas. The platform’s commitment to featuring instructors with real-world experience ensures that learners receive high-quality guidance and practical knowledge that can be applied directly to their work.

Education that fits your style and pace: We provide a learning experience that caters to your unique style through a combination of on-demand offerings and interactive learning. With our on-demand training programs, you have the flexibility to access content at your convenience, allowing you to learn at your own pace and fit it into your busy schedule. Additionally, the inclusion of live webinars, Q&A sessions, and workshops creates an interactive learning environment where you can engage directly with instructors and peers. This not only enhances the learning experience but also promotes knowledge-sharing and collaboration, ensuring that you get the most out of your professional development journey.

Certifications and credits: Official credits and certifications add credibility to nonprofit professionals’ expertise and commitment to ongoing learning. As a recognized provider of CFRE Continuing Education Credits, CharityHowTo allows professionals in the nonprofit sector to earn credits that demonstrate their dedication to staying up-to-date with industry best practices. This recognition not only enhances their professional profile but also validates their knowledge and skills.

In addition to these CFRE credits, we’ve also introduced certification programs in key areas such as grant writing, social media, marketing, and fundraising, and more. These programs provide professionals with the chance to gain specialized expertise and credentials in their chosen field, further enhancing their professional development and career prospects. Moreover, we offer a Certificate of Competency that helps our learners showcase their achievements as they progress through courses. This recognition of competency can be displayed on platforms like LinkedIn, providing professionals with tangible proof of their skills and knowledge and boosting the nonprofit’s brand and visibility. 

Technological innovation: While it’s important that nonprofit professionals stay innovative and up-to-date with cutting-edge technology, this can be a huge challenge given time and financial constraints. Through our partnership with NonprofitOS, we provide access to AI-powered content creation tools tailored specifically to the nonprofit sector. This empowers organizations to enhance the effectiveness of their communication and fundraising efforts by using cutting-edge technology, marrying efficiency and advancement. 

Live and On-Demand Nonprofit Software Demos: At NonprofitLibrary, a CharityHowTo partner, nonprofit professionals can view both live and on-demand nonprofits software demonstrations without getting on the sales and marketing list. These nonprofit tech companies of all sizes present live and streaming overviews of their platform, and if the nonprofit professional loves it they can opt-in to learn more.  The nonprofits registration information is never shared with the presenting company.  

The CharityHowTo Partners Network also offers additional resources and services through collaborations with other brands, further expanding the range of benefits available to nonprofit professionals.  At Nonprofit Apps, nonprofit professionals read about software, apps and reviews for all things tech in the nonprofit sector.   Finally, Nonprofit Discounts provides discounts and special offers for nonprofit organizations! 

Digital marketing education with Constant Contact

Of course, our email marketing partner, Constant Contact, also provides a number of educational resources and opportunities specifically aimed at helping nonprofits achieve marketing excellence, including: 

The Constant Contact blog: The Constant Contact blog offers thousands of articles on digital marketing best practices, including a large number specifically dedicated to nonprofit organizations. You can learn about everything from email segmentation to SMS text message marketing, all specific to the unique needs and challenges of nonprofits. 

Monthly webinars: Constant Contact’s monthly thought leadership webinars cover a wide range of topics, from building your email list to ensuring your emails get delivered each time. Plus, you can browse their library of on-demand webinars to see what you might have missed out on.

Live onboarding webinars: The Constant Contact team offers a large number of how-to webinars, demonstrating with step-by-step instructions and live experts how to get the most out of Constant Contact. Register for any one of multiple dates to learn how to create and send your first email, segment your email list, manage your events, and more.

Constant Contact Community: For Constant Contact customers, the Community is a great opportunity for customers to connect with one another, share marketing experience, and learn from the real-world experience of their peers. Plus, get nonprofit-specific advice, resources, and networking opportunities in the Constant Contact Nonprofit Group.

How continued education boosts your brand

In the competitive landscape of the nonprofit sector, building a strong brand is crucial for success. While many organizations are looking for ways to boost their brand visibility and reputation, training and education are often overlooked as opportunities to do just that. Here are a few of the ways that a well-trained and continually educated nonprofit staff can see benefits to their brand:

Staff credibility and reputation: The credibility and reputation of your nonprofit’s staff play a vital role in shaping your brand image. Investing in training and education programs for your employees not only enhances their skills and knowledge but also boosts their confidence and professionalism. Well-trained staff members are more likely to inspire trust and credibility among donors, partners, and the community at large. By showcasing the expertise and dedication of your team, you can establish your nonprofit as a reliable and reputable organization.

Social media awareness and visibility: In today’s digital age, social media has become a powerful tool for brand building. Training your staff on effective social media strategies can significantly increase your nonprofit’s online presence and visibility. By leveraging platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, you can engage with your target audience, share impactful stories, and promote your mission. Well-trained staff members can create compelling content, interact with followers, and effectively manage your nonprofit’s social media accounts, ultimately strengthening your brand’s online reputation. Plus, touting your staff’s ongoing educational efforts makes for great social media content!

Strategic thinking and performance: Training and education programs can foster strategic thinking among your staff, enabling them to make informed decisions and drive your nonprofit’s performance. By equipping your team with the necessary skills and knowledge, you empower them to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and develop innovative solutions. Strategic thinking not only enhances your organization’s efficiency but also positions your nonprofit as a thought leader in your field. This reputation for strategic excellence can attract donors, partners, and volunteers who align with your mission and vision.

Investing in and taking advantage of available training and education opportunities purpose-built for nonprofit professionals can boost your nonprofit’s brand– and bottom line. By building your staff’s credibility and knowledge, you can establish your organization as a trusted and influential force in the nonprofit sector. Training your staff not only enhances their skills but also empowers them to effectively communicate your mission, engage with stakeholders, and drive meaningful change. Embrace the power of training and education to elevate your nonprofit’s brand and make a lasting impact on the communities you serve.

About CharityHowTo

CharityHowTo is the premier online learning center for nonprofit professionals around the world. Our nonprofit webinar topics include virtual events, social media, grant writing, Nonprofit marketing, board management, online fundraising, and much more. 

CharityHowTo is deeply committed to providing affordable and accessible education and professional development opportunities. They understand the financial constraints faced by individuals and organizations in the nonprofit sector. To address this, CharityHowTo offers significant savings for members through their membership program, making their courses and workshops more accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, The CharityHowTo Small Nonprofit Discount Program enables applicants to save up to 50% on everything including membership, online classes and online workshops, and their relationship with Nonprofit Discounts helps to further nonprofit organizations’ savings and better utilize their budgets.