Nonprofits: How to develop communications tools with a small budget

Nonprofits frequently face limitations in budget and resources when it comes to producing essential creative assets for communicating and garnering support for their mission. With that challenge in mind, this blog post will provide an overview of three platforms we recommend for nonprofits to create these assets without breaking the bank. From websites to videos and graphics, these tools can help nonprofits make a big impact on a small budget.

Squarespace

If you don’t have $20K to invest in a new website, Squarespace can help you create one with a smaller budget. 

Why you’ll love Squarespace: 

• Templates: Squarespace offers dozens of professionally designed website templates that are engaging and mobile-responsive. Nonprofits can choose a template that aligns with their organization’s branding and mission, saving time and resources on custom design work.
• Ease of Use: Squarespace’s drag-and-drop interface makes it easy for users to build and manage their websites without coding or web design experience. 
• Features: Squarespace allows nonprofits to set up donation buttons, event calendars, email marketing tools, and social media integrations. These features enable nonprofits to engage with their audience across its different communications channels, promote their cause, and drive donations.
• Affordability: Squarespace plans include website hosting, domain registration, and customer support. This inclusive price structure offers nonprofits a budget-friendly option to create and maintain a professional website with the ongoing support they need. 

Overall, Squarespace is a cost-effective and user-friendly website solution for nonprofits, allowing them to advance their mission while staying within budget.

In fact, we used Squarespace to develop a cost-effective website for PlanRVA’s latest campaign, Climate Resilient RVA.

Biteable

You don’t need major production to create video assets that deliver your message. At Hodges, we create video content for many clients, including nonprofits, using Biteable, an online video creation and editing tool.

Why you’ll love Biteable: 

• Templates: Biteable provides customizable video templates for fundraising campaigns, event promotions, and awareness videos. Nonprofits can use these templates to quickly create professional-looking videos without video editing skills or expensive software.
• Ease of Use: Biteable’s drag-and-drop functionality makes it easy for nonprofits to create and customize videos. You can even create videos using their AI-powered video assistant that generates videos from text prompts.
• Stock Footage and Images: Biteable offers a library of stock footage, images, animations, and music that nonprofits can incorporate into videos without additional costs. To make Biteable videos feel custom to your team, consider adding clips you’ve taken on your phone or recorded from Zoom conversations.
• Affordability: Biteable offers affordable pricing plans, including a free option with limited features and paid plans with more advanced capabilities.

By leveraging Biteable, nonprofits can create engaging videos to support their mission and reach their target audience without exceeding their budget constraints.

Check out this video by Hodger, Anna Friesen, that was made for our nonprofit client, Institute of Public Health and Innovation. 

Canva

It’s so important to leverage the power of social media both for general awareness and to reach your target audiences. To create attention-grabbing graphics that communicate important information, we recommend Canva. 

Why you’ll love Canva: 

• Templates: Canva offers a wide range of free templates for various creative assets like social media graphics, posters, flyers, and presentations. 
• Customization: Canva allows users to customize templates with their own branding, colors, and messaging. This means nonprofits can maintain their unique identity across all their marketing materials.
• Stock Images and Illustrations: Canva provides access to a vast library of stock photos, illustrations, icons, and other graphics that users can incorporate into their designs for free or low cost. 
• Affordability: Canva offers discounted and even free plans for qualifying nonprofits. Learn more here. 

Overall, Canva can empower nonprofits to create professional-quality creative assets without exceeding its budget, enabling them to effectively communicate their message and advance their cause.

Our Creative Services team used Canva to create a series of graphics for our nonprofit client, Early Impact Virginia. See below for an example.

By leveraging these budget-friendly tools and platforms, nonprofits can effectively communicate their mission without making huge investments.