Do people see your work? If your message isn’t clear, your community might be left in the dark. When support is slow and participation drops, it’s time to refocus your communication. Get the clarity that moves people to show up, give, and stay involved.

Teresa’s Story

Teresa remembers the day her power was shut off. A single mother in her 50s, she spent decades working low-wage jobs to support her adult daughters and two granddaughters. When she made progress, an unexpected bill, job loss, or car breakdown sent her back.

When she turned to a local nonprofit, she had no money to pay her electricity bill. They helped restore her electricity. Then, Teresa was ready for more than emergency help. She wanted stability.

She enrolled in a skill building program. There, she learned how to budget, set goals, and respond to challenges that often keep families stuck in generational poverty.

Now, nearly a year later, she has paid every bill on time. She’s working in a better-paying job with benefits and feels a growing sense of control over her future. Life still has challenges, but she’s proud of her progress. For the first time in years, she believes in a brighter future.

Causes of Confusion

To the outside world, this organization was mostly known for utility payment assistance. And while that service is essential, it was only part of the picture.

The nonprofit’s mission was always focused on long-term self-sufficiency. It wasn’t just about meeting urgent needs. They strived toward helping people build the skills and confidence to create lasting change.

But that message wasn’t coming through.

For years, the public-facing materials focused almost entirely on logistics: how to apply, what documents to bring, who qualifies. Everything was technically correct, but the heart of the mission was missing.

That’s where the communications strategy needed to shift.

A Note from Carie

This is the first in a series where I’ll share how I’ve worked to align mission-focused communications throughout my history in nonprofit and government roles.

You don’t have to be the top decision maker, and you don’t have to fix everything at once. Small, strategic changes carry your mission forward. They shift perception, clarify purpose, and strengthen support.

Stay tuned.