Content Marketing for Nonprofits

🔅 Empowering Women in Saudi Arabia: Support & Opportunities for a Brighter Future Saudi Arabia continues to enhance women's participation in the workforce through various initiatives designed to empower them economically and help them balance work and family life. 1️⃣ Transportation Support for Working Women 🔸 Wusool Program: Covers 80% of transportation costs for female employees using approved ride-hailing apps: ▪️ Salary below SAR 6,000 → SAR 1,100 monthly support ▪️ Salary between SAR 6,000 - 8,000 → SAR 800 monthly support ▪️ Duration: 24 months 2️⃣ Employment & Economic Empowerment 🔸 Qurrah Program: Supports childcare expenses for working mothers, making it easier for them to remain in the workforce. 🔸 Tamheer Program: Provides on-the-job training for fresh graduates with financial stipends. 🔸 Wage Support for Women: The Human Resources Development Fund (HRDF) covers 50% of a female employee’s salary in the private sector. 3️⃣ Support for Divorced & Widowed Women 🔸 Social Security Program: Provides monthly financial assistance to divorced and widowed women who cannot work. 🔸 Sakani Program: Offers housing support and financing solutions for those in need. 🔸 Freelance Loans: Interest-free loans to help women start their own businesses. 4️⃣ Entrepreneurship Support 🔸 Women Entrepreneurship Program: Provides financial and training support for female-led startups. 🔸 Nafath Financing: Offers collateral-free loans for women looking to launch their businesses. 5️⃣ Flexible Work & Leadership Training 🔸 Leadership Training & Mentorship Initiative: Prepares women for executive and senior leadership roles. 🔸 Remote Work Program: Creates job opportunities for women to work from home. 🔸 Flexible Work Program: Allows women to work with flexible hours to maintain work-life balance. 6️⃣ Awareness & Digital Empowerment 🔸 “Know Your Rights” Initiative: A digital platform providing free legal consultations for women. 🔸 Elevate Initiative: Launched by SDAIA to train 25,000+ women in data and AI over the next five years. These initiatives demonstrate Saudi Arabia’s commitment to women’s empowerment, ensuring they play a crucial role in the nation’s economic and social development. 🚀 What are the outstanding initiatives in your country to support women? Share them with us so we can spread the word and compete to rise together! 💡💼 #WomenEmpowerment #GenderEquality #WomenInBusiness #WomenLeadership #EconomicEmpowerment #FemaleEntrepreneurs #WorkforceDevelopment #Inclusion #WomenInitiatives #SaudiVision2030 #HR #CareerDevelopment #WomenSupport

India is making strides in empowering women entrepreneurs, thanks to various initiatives by the Central Government. With numerous schemes tailored to uplift and support women in business, there's never been a better time for aspiring female entrepreneurs to shine. 🌟 While some are widely recognized, many schemes are lesser-known but incredibly impactful. Have you heard of these? 📌 Mahila Udyam Nidhi Scheme: Aimed at encouraging small-scale industries across manufacturing and service sectors, this scheme provides financial assistance of up to ₹10 lakhs, to help women realize their entrepreneurial ambitions.   https://lnkd.in/gKSxAYz6 📌 MUDRA Yojana: Designed for micro and small enterprises, this initiative offers loans of up to ₹10 lakhs to women entrepreneurs so that they can kick start their entrepreneurial dreams without worrying about collateral. Designed to cater to all entrepreneurial needs, this scheme ensures that lack of capital isn't a barrier to success. https://www.mudra.org.in 📌 Stand-Up India Scheme: This initiative enables women to secure bank loans ranging between ₹10 lakhs and ₹1 crore for setting up greenfield enterprises. It's a major boost for women venturing into the business world.   https://lnkd.in/gKtJUc9T 📌 Bharatiya Mahila Bank Business Loan: Specifically for women, this scheme offers concessional interest rates to help set up a business. It’s a brilliant initiative aimed at fueling the ambitions of women across various sectors. https://www.bmb.co.in 📌 Dena Shakti Scheme: Encourages women entrepreneurs in sectors like agriculture and retail by providing loans at reduced interest rates.   https://www.denabank.com 📌 Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP): For women tech innovators, the STEP offers valuable training in entrepreneurship, boosting skills for running tech businesses. https://lnkd.in/gV74K7Xt These are just a few of the numerous opportunities waiting to be seized. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established businesswoman, these schemes will propel your career forward. They reflect India’s commitment to supporting women in business, offering the right tools and resources for growth. 🚀 Each of these schemes is a stepping stone toward building a future where women aren’t just participants in the economy but leaders shaping it. 💪 Ladies, it’s time to take the leap! Find the resources you need. Your entrepreneurial future is just a click away. ⏩ Check out this site: https://lnkd.in/g--bab-X As a woman entrepreneur, have you explored these opportunities yet? #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #WomenEmpowerment #StartUpIndia #FemaleFounders #BusinessGrowth #WomenEntrepreneurs #GovernmentSupport #FinancialInclusion #Leadership

👩🌾 Virtual Neighbors - Empowering Women Together 👩👩👧👧 Women's empowerment, a crucial aspect of societal progress, involves women gaining control over their lives and making independent choices, including equal opportunities in education, employment, and political engagement. The journey towards empowerment often highlights the disparities faced by rural women, who encounter limited access to resources and choices compared to their urban counterparts. In India, initiatives like the Women Self Help Groups (SHGs) under NRLM/SRLM have been instrumental in transforming the lives of rural women. These SHGs, comprising 10 to 15 members, receive guidance and support from NRLM/SRLM, enabling over 80% of rural women to participate actively. The structured hierarchy and programs within SHGs foster a sense of community and empowerment among women. The innovative Virtual Neighbor Concept further enhances the empowerment of rural women by connecting them with urban women and groups in virtual spaces. Through this concept, women from SHGs associated with SMART FPOs engage with urban counterparts, forming bonds as Virtual Neighbors. This collaboration not only expands opportunities for productive livelihoods but also fosters a sense of unity and shared experiences among women across different landscapes. Your insights and suggestions on this collaborative approach are valuable. Feel free to share your thoughts on this initiative.

46.2% of adolescent girls in rural Ranchi still use cloth during menstruation, and 92.5% of them reuse it. 💡 Determined to find an affordable and sustainable solution to menstrual health challenges, I set out to develop an accessible, community-driven, and practical approach.  During my field visits, I met women who had never used a sanitary pad. One mother hesitated and said, "We don’t talk about such things here." These conversations reinforced the urgent need for awareness, access, and sustainable solutions.  To address this, I collaborated with Naveen Singh to develop and implement a community-driven menstrual health initiative:  1) Research & Fieldwork - Conducted secondary research on menstrual health gaps through reports, NGO studies, and policy analysis.   - Led interviews & focus group discussions with healthcare workers and rural women to understand stigma and affordability challenges.   - Engaged with Mr. Mangesh Jha, the ‘Padman of Jharkhand’, to explore grassroots solutions.  2) Developing the Sakhi Kit Model - Designed the Sakhi Kit, including a sanitary napkin, a contraceptive, and an educational pamphlet in the local language.   - Created culturally sensitive messaging to debunk myths and encourage open discussions.   - Sourced sanitary napkins and contraceptives from government healthcare centers at subsidized rates.  3) Implementation & Impact   - Distributed 1000+ sanitary napkins and 150+ contraceptives in a pilot village.   - Partnered with Srijan Foundation to host a Women’s Day awareness session at Karanji Panchayat Bhawan, Bedo, Ranchi.   - Explored kirana stores, beauty parlors, and tailor shops as alternate access points.   - Received positive feedback from rural healthcare workers on increased demand and engagement.  💡 Key Recommendations for Scaling the Initiative - Expand the Sakhi Kit model to multiple villages by leveraging local kirana stores, SHGs, beauty parlors, and tailor shops for accessibility as women are more likely to go here. - Collaborate with NRHM, JSLPS, Anganwadi Centers, and ASHA workers to integrate menstrual health awareness into their outreach programs. - Train women-led SHGs to distribute affordable, reusable menstrual products, creating both health impact and economic empowerment. This project has been an incredible learning experience. A special thank you to Professor Gaurav Marathe Sir for introducing the Social Impact Practicum course, where my peers and I worked on 240+ social issues, driving real change.  Menstrual health is not just about hygiene—it’s about dignity, empowerment, and breaking deep-rooted stigma.  #MenstrualHealth #SakhiKit #RuralEmpowerment #BreakingStigma #CommunityDrivenChange #Collaboration #IIMRanchi #Sustainability

5 phrases that make donors quietly disappear (and what to say instead): Your nonprofit isn’t losing donors because of the economy. You’re losing them because of your words. Donors aren’t ghosting you because they “don’t care.” They’re ghosting you because your message gave them no reason to stay. The truth? Most nonprofits bleed 6- and 7-figure opportunities every year. Not from lack of impact. But from boring, confusing, or forgettable communication. Here are 5 silent donor-repelling sentences and what to say instead: 1. “We need your support to continue.” ❌ Donor hears: “We’ll survive without you.” ✅ Say: “Here’s the urgent gap only you can help us close this quarter.” 2. “Any gift makes a difference.” ❌ Donor hears: “My role doesn’t really matter.” ✅ Flip it: “We partner at levels where impact matches the investment.” 3. “We serve the underserved.” ❌ Donor hears: “Generic cause, seen it before.” ✅ Try: “Right now, 1 in 3 families in our city goes to bed hungry. That ends with us.” 4. “Your generosity keeps us going.” ❌ Donor hears: “This is about keeping your lights on.” ✅ Use: “Together, we’re creating the first debt-free housing model for veterans.” 5. “We’d be honored by your support.” ❌ Donor hears: “We’re grateful… but not strategic.” ✅ Replace with: “We designed this initiative with leaders like you in mind.” It’s not the budget. It’s not the economy. It’s the story you tell. And until you fix the words, you’ll keep watching big deals slip away. With purpose and impact, Mario

Last week, I had the opportunity to witness some of the incredible work unfolding in #India to advance #women’s empowerment and #climate-resilient livelihoods. From organizing #women smallholders into Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs) to leveraging #digital public infrastructure for targeted service delivery, the innovation and commitment I observed were truly inspiring. Two initiatives stood out for placing women at the heart of transformation: 🔸 Project Mesha – Aga Khan Foundation In Bihar, this ambitious initiative is improving the lives of landless and marginal farming households by strengthening the small ruminant value chain. The focus on women’s leadership has been particularly impressive. The project has led to the creation of the Mesha Mahila Bakaripalak Producer Company Limited, an all-women collective of over 4,200 goat farmers. This company not only delivers essential animal health services but is poised to become the largest goat-rearing enterprise in Bihar—and potentially in India. Early results also show improvements in women’s dietary diversity, underscoring how income in women’s hands translates into better well-being and agency. 🔸 PANI’s Community Resource Person (CRP) Model – Uttar Pradesh This model is empowering rural women—ages 18 to 45—as agricultural advisors, offering technical support on water and farming practices to marginalized smallholder farmers. These CRPs are becoming trusted experts and change agents in their communities, blending traditional knowledge with modern techniques. The initiative is addressing the dual challenges of #gender inequality and low agricultural productivity, while fostering resilience to climate change. Speaking with these remarkable women and hearing how the program has transformed their lives was a highlight of my visit. These efforts are a powerful reminder that when we invest in #women, we accelerate progress for entire communities. #WomenInAgriculture #ClimateResilience #DigitalPublicInfrastructure #Livelihoods #India #GenderEquality #InclusiveDevelopment

More and more women are leading the charge in revolutionising #agriculture. It’s something I’ve always believed in and advocated for, which is why I’m filled with immense joy whenever I come across stories of thriving, female-led agri initiatives. There were two such tales I found especially inspiring this past week: 1. The Karnataka-based Bibi Fatima Women’s Self-Help Group won the ‘UNDP Equator Initiative Award’ Also renowned as the Nobel Prize for Biodiversity Conservation, this award is given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to recognise outstanding, sustainable biodiversity efforts led by local/indigenous communities. The SHG from Dharwad was honoured for its remarkable achievements in implementing eco-friendly farming practices in rainfed lands, managing community seed banks, ensuring food and nutrition security, promoting millet cultivation, and running a millet processing unit. The group also notably prioritised climate-resilient, indigenous crop varieties. (Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dCAYXvC8) 2. Rural Punjab’s ‘drone-didis’ are advancing a new wave of agri-tech solutions Taking advantage of the central government’s ‘Namo Drone Didi’ program, rural women in Punjab are learning to spray crops with pesticides/fertilisers using drones. As drone pilots, they’re not only increasing their income but also promoting a promising agricultural technology that significantly brings down the time taken for this task. An impressive 1,000+ drones have been allocated to Punjab under this scheme. (Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dYbyXNxn) Be it through private, joint or government initiatives, women are making great strides in transforming the agricultural landscape in India, a sector that continues to engage over half of our country’s population. And I, for one, can’t wait to see what they do next! #SustainableAgriculture #AgriTech #WomenEmpowerment #FemaleEntrepreneurs

As a nonprofit email consultant, I’ve seen firsthand how small adjustments to your email strategy can lead to big increases in donation rates. These are some of the strategies I’m actively implementing with my clients to help them engage supporters and drive results: 1. Focus on audience targeting: Segment your email list to send messages that feel personal and relevant. For example, a lapsed donor may need a different message than a first-time giver. 2. Lead with impactful stories: Stories that highlight the direct results of donations—paired with a clear, actionable ask—are incredibly powerful. “$25 provides a meal for a family” resonates far more than a general appeal. 3. Optimize for mobile: With so many emails opened on mobile devices, it’s crucial that designs are clean, buttons are easy to click, and content gets straight to the point. 4. Create a sense of urgency: Deadlines or limited-time opportunities like matching gifts can be effective motivators. I’ve seen significant lifts in response rates when urgency is baked into the message. 5. Test and analyze everything: From subject lines to donation ask amounts, I encourage my clients to test different approaches and make decisions based on the data. A small tweak can make a big difference. 6. Always follow up: A simple thank-you email after a donation not only builds goodwill but also lays the groundwork for future giving. I know every nonprofit’s audience is different, but the common thread is that thoughtful, intentional email campaigns can create meaningful connections and drive real impact. I’d love to hear what’s working for you—what’s been your most effective email fundraising tactic?

Your message matters too much for weak language. Here’s how to match your words to your purpose. A few weeks ago, I heard from an old university friend. He's now leading a nonprofit that’s expanding access to  mental health services. His mission is important, and his impact is growing. He was reaching out to funders to raise $2 million. But his email started with: "Sorry to be a pain, but I hope maybe you might consider..." His ask was urgent.  His cause was real. But the language made it sound like he was apologizing  for showing up. That’s the trap so many purpose-driven leaders fall into: They care deeply, but their words play small. If that sounds familiar, here’s what to look out for. Language that weakens your message: ❌ "That's an interesting perspective." ❌ "Sorry to bother you with this..." ❌ "I just wanted to touch base..." ❌ "When you get a chance..." ❌ "I know you're busy, but..." ❌ "We have a problem." ❌ "That won’t work." And what to say instead: ✅ "Thank you for your time on this." ✅ "I recommend X. Here's why it works." ✅ "This falls outside my current priorities." ✅ "This will cut costs by 30%. Here's how." ✅ "I appreciate your view. The data shows X." ✅ "I see another approach. Here's my analysis." ✅ "I'll proceed unless I hear otherwise by noon." The first thing I did after receiving his email? I gave him a call. We walked through how his language was holding back his message. He made the changes and sent a new version the next morning. The difference? ✅ He got clearer responses. ✅ More forward momentum. ✅ Faster decisions. He didn’t change his mission. He changed how he communicated it. And remember: When your purpose matters, every message must match. What phrases would you have added to this list? 🤝 Learning happens better together. ♻️ Repost this to help others, and follow  Dr. Thomas Funke Thomas Funke for more on confident messaging and  high-impact leadership.

Nonprofit spoiler alert: Your fundraising appeals are not for you, your board, executive leadership, or that one vocal critic on your program staff. If you accept the premise above, you need to start behaving differently. Instead of crafting messaging that pleases internal audiences, you need to: 1. Remove your organization from the story completely (or as completely as humanly possible) 2. Tell stories of need (success stories are great in your newsletter and impact reports -- but they reduce response in appeals) 3. Write for simplicity and clarity (i.e., 5th-7th grade level) 4. Use serif fonts, black text on white backgrounds, indent paragraphs, and use at least 12-point font (all of these improve readability and increase the likelihood that you'll get a response) 5. Don't talk about your accomplishments - that removes the donor's need to act (because you've already solved the problem) 6. Present a clear and compelling offer (reason to give) 7. Don't downplay the ask. Be direct, specific, and upfront in what you're asking the donor to do 8. Write from one person to one person 9. Restate your offer and call to action in your P.S. DickersonBakker #fundraising #nonprofit #directmail #digital #marketing #philanthropy #abetterway #strategy #directresponse #audience