Free Tools and Resources to Help You Do More Good in 2020

Whether you’re part of a robust communications and marketing department or a mighty “team of one,” we all rely on trusted external resources to help us learn new skills, stay abreast of emerging trends, and reinforce best practices. Here’s a round-up of some tools from around the social sector that can help ensure you’re performing at your best all year long – starting with a few we created with you in mind.

Communications to Amplify Your Impact

Looking to brush up on specific communications skills, or help a colleague improve theirs? Cause Communications is committed to making the power of good communications accessible to all. That’s why our digital library of free resources is always stocked with “how-to” videos, interactive quizzes, and practical guides based on 40+ years of communications know-how. Our tools cover a broad range of topics – from branding and messaging to fundraising and strategy. Not sure where to start? Our Resource Navigator will lead you to the most relevant content your organization needs now.

And if you’re looking for case studies that bring best practices to life, check out Stanford Social Innovation Review for in-depth articles and research-driven insights. We especially liked this recent piece on building better calls to action, which shows how nonprofits can tap into behavioral science to increase engagement.

Data and Trends to Inform Your Strategy

Knowledge is powerful – especially when it comes to making decisions about your organization’s communications activities. When you need to more deeply understand a topic or situate your own data in a broader context, chances are a report from the Pew Research Center can help. Given how quickly social media changes, we’re particularly fond of the Center’s fact sheets on which people use each platform and how.

In search of trends focused on the philanthropy sector? Candid (formerly Foundation Center and GuideStar) offers aggregate data on the size, scope, and giving priorities of the U.S. foundation community. You can also explore their IssueLab website to find free research reports published across the sector on any topic.

Podcasts That Connect You With Experts

Our commutes to and from the office fly by – and are super productive – whenever we hit “play” on a podcast. Thanks to hosts increasingly recognizing and embracing the importance of communications, these days there’s more comms content than ever! A couple resources that are consistently in our own rotation are Joan Garry’s “Nonprofits are Messy” podcast and Tony Martignetti’s “Nonprofit Radio.” Hear from a broad range of practitioners whose areas of expertise cover everything from board engagement to donor relations.

We’ve also been enjoying the newer podcast “Let’s Hear It” hosted by Eric Brown and Kirk Brown. Episodes focus on people, rather than subject areas, which puts individual experiences, leadership styles, and lessons learned front-and-center. If you’ve ever been curious what’s on the mind of a foundation communications director, here’s your chance to find out.

Daily Inspiration to Fuel Your Creativity

New ideas and “ah-ha!” moments often come from seeing innovation in action. That’s why we love the Aspen Institute’s “Five Best Ideas of the Day.” The links in this daily newsletter aren’t exclusively focused on communications, but it’s a good bet you’ll take something meaningful away from these examples of problem solving, risk taking, and provocative hypotheses.

Seth Godin also offers fresh content daily on “Seth’s Blog,” with prompts and musings that inspire both reflection and action. For anyone working in the field of social impact, these are the sparks that can ignite new possibilities every day. The best part? Both resources are super succinct, so they pack a punch even when you’re short on time.

What are your go-to resources as a communicator? Share your thoughts on social media and tag us on Twitter and Facebook! We’d love to hear your recommendations.