Today’s episode is going to be a little different. Because this is the last episode in our first season of Designing Tomorrow.

Today, we’re not going to introduce any new concepts or strategies. Instead, we’re going to challenge you.

If you follow the the playbook we outlined over the course of Season One in Designing Tomorrow — truly, actually embody it — you will become a leading social impact organization.

And once you begin to experience the benefits of this methodology for your organization, don’t just declare victory and call it a day. Use your new influence in your ecosystem to create a ripple effect of positive change.

Our challenge to you today is this: Lead the conversation.

*** If you like the episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on iTunes. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com.

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Resources:

• Nonprofits, Fundraising Success Depends on the Strength of Your Website
• The ROI of Brand Building
• Read the Manifesto
• Listen to the Manifesto

Is your social impact brand attracting enough revenue to power your mission and build a healthy, sustainable organization? Or do you feel like you’re constantly chasing donors and customers just to keep the lights on?

Chances are, the second scenario hits closer to home. If so, you’re not alone. Because the social impact sector has a revenue problem. And it’s not a small one.

We’re not just talking about donor retention, or shifting consumer behaviors, or downward trends in giving and support for social impact causes either. We’re talking about deeply rooted cultural beliefs and narratives that have shaped our entire sector. And that many of us have just learned to accept as inevitable.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• The cultural beliefs and narratives that have created unhealthy and unsustainable norms that are holding our sector back
• Why so many social impact organizations struggle to attract, grow, and retain revenue for their missions
• And how you can create the conditions for revenue generation that can lead to the growth you need to truly power your mission and build a sustainable, resilient organization

*** If you like the episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on iTunes. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com.

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Resources:

• Nonprofits, Fundraising Success Depends on the Strength of Your Website
• The ROI of Brand Building
• Read the Manifesto
• Listen to the Manifesto

Is community in decline, or is the way we’re participating just changing?

The data and statistics, as always, are messy. And there’s valid opinions and arguments supporting different trends here.

But whether or not community-engagement is in decline, our relationships with community is going through a rapid transformation.

And as a social impact brand, you need community support to power your work. You can’t power your mission and reach your true impact potential alone. But, building authentic, vibrant communities seems harder than ever before.

Today, we’re talking all about community-building. And specifically, how to build an authentic community around your mission — and why that’s becoming an increasingly important part of a successful social impact strategy.

In today’s episode, we cover:

• Why community is changing and what that means for your social impact brand
• The key pillars of healthy and vibrant communities
• And how you can build a community around your cause to drive support, engagement, and revenue for your mission

*** If you like the episode, it really helps a new podcast if you can help spread the word. Share with your friends or co-workers, post it to social media, “follow” or “subscribe” in your podcast app, or write a review on iTunes. We could not do this without you!

We love hearing feedback from our community, so please email us with your questions or comments — including topics you’d like us to cover in future episodes — at podcast@designbycosmic.com.

Thank you for all that you do for your cause and for being part of the movement to move humanity and the planet forward.

Resources:

• 9 Ways to Make Your Membership Model More Inclusive
• Nonprofit Membership Programs: How to Create a Better One at Your Organization
• Community Building Might Not Feel Like Your Core Work, But It Should Be
• How to Build a Focused, User-Friendly Website for Your Community Foundation