Nonprofit organizations are one of the sacred staples to our communities around the world. They are accessible to those in need in the heart of our cities and towns offering amazing services on a daily basis. When an organization is busy serving (as it should be), things like a media/communication plan can sometimes be left off the list of “org to-dos.”

In an ideal situation, the strength of your organization’s programs and the outcomes of the individuals served is enough to receive attention for in-kind donations, grants, and sporadic spots on the local news. However, for most organizations, a communications plan is necessary to make sure people know about the program and any new initiatives.

Check out a few reasons your agency should have a Communications/Media Plan:

1. To clarify your agency’s goals and objectives: The communications plan will serve as a roadmap for where the agency wants to go and how they intend to involve the public based on its goals .
2. To clarify the relationships between audiences, messages, channels, activities, and materials: Going through the communications planning process will help you identify specifically who you need to reach, how to tell them what you want them to know, and how you will reach them.
3. To help your staff members and stakeholders get on the “same page.”: A well-articulated plan will help people get on the same page and articulate a consistent message. It will also help to clarify staff members’, stakeholders’ and others’ roles in the process. You can also use this process to include stakeholder input in the communications process.
4. To allow everyone on your team to have a stake in your success: Getting involved in the process and integrating participants’ opinions brings a sense of ownership.
5. To gauge your plan’s success and areas in need of strengthening: Organizations will often do a mid-course review to determine strengths, weaknesses, and obstacles and then create and implement new approaches. You can develop a unique, tailored evaluation strategy that will gather the information you need to improve your plan.

Social Solutions Consulting is offering a free Communications Plan Template… Get started helping your community organization and its programs become more visible in the area you serve today!

SSC Communications Plan Template