After years of providing pro bono marketing services to local nonprofits, Longmont’s Avocet Communications has launched a new program, Connected Hearts.
Avocet is a Longmont-based marketing agency recognized nationally. Avocet has made community outreach and philanthropic support of nonprofits part of its mission and culture, according to a news release from Avocet.
“Over the years, we have invested nearly $100K annually in staff time and cash donations to local and national organizations that impact positive change,” said Lori Jones, president and CEO of Avocet. “Connected Hearts is intentional and heart-centered and is taking our nonprofit support to another level.”
This new level includes a year’s worth of marketing services to one nonprofit. The services included in this package may include branding, messaging, public relations, social engagement strategies and content creation.
Marketing is only one of the challenges nonprofits face, and often it can be a large one. Organizations must decide whether funding should be put toward the communities they serve or marketing.
In small nonprofits, the executive director can wear multiple hats and act as the marketing director, potentially leading lead to burnout, according to the ArcStone website.
Larger nonprofits may have a dedicated team to handle marketing, however, may not focus on one cohesive strategy, Arcstone states.
Simply though, the focus of a nonprofit is on the work they do, not marketing.
“Nonprofits often have small staffs and little funding. Getting the word out about the good work they do — especially to the people that need them the most — simply isn’t their focus,” said Lisa Metzger, public relations director for Avocet. “We hope that by assisting them in communications, marketing, and external messaging we can help the nonprofit raise awareness and better support the community.”
According to the news release, Avocet will focus on one distinct nonprofit focus, this year it is suicide awareness and prevention.
“Suicide rates in the U.S. are rising and it impacts every demographic and every socio-economic sector. It’s tragic and anything we can do, as individuals and as an agency, to support those that are working toward prevention is worth doing,” Metzger wrote in an email to the Leader. “We want to bring prevention to the forefront and making ourselves available to those that help others is rewarding.”
Through the Connected Hearts program, Avocet hopes to increase a suicide prevention organiztion’s voice to reach more people in need of help.
“If by doing that, if even one individual decides to seek help, then we will feel that the program is successful,” Metzger said.
Nonprofit organizations can apply here. Applications are open through April 15 and a local nonprofit will be selected on June 1.
Correction: Lisa Metzger's name was misspelled. Also, Avocet is looking at nonprofits from across the nation, not just local organizations.
