Community Foundation Strategy, Branding, and Messaging with StoryBrand
A Christian community foundation's biggest and most immediate problem was messaging: how to identify their audience's goals and how a Christian Community Foundation helps generous people participate in ministry.
Small and midsized Christian and local Community Foundations struggle to explain who they are, what they do, and why it matters. It is more challenging because people aren't aware of or familiar with them, and those that do are considered a community’s “best-kept secret.”
Small and midsized Christian and local Community Foundations struggle to explain who they are, what they do, and why it matters. It is more challenging because people aren't aware of or familiar with them, and those that do are considered a community’s “best-kept secret.”
Why Community Foundations Turn to Aespire
“We are a faith-based community foundation that is ready to grow up by organizing our messaging and public-facing imaging around a new brand identity and messaging.”
In His Steps Foundation Logo
In His Steps Foundation Storybook
Richmond Christian Foundation Logo
The Business Case
A community foundation is a bridge between generous people and charitable organizations. IHS Foundation's new Executive Director recognized that the 21-year-old Christian community foundation needed help if their organization was to move past the obstacles that prevented their brand from growing.
IHS Foundation asked Aespire to guide them in developing a new brand identity and gain the confidence to:
- Identify and move past the issues that impede IHS Foundation from growing
- Ensure long-term viability and sustainability
- Help generous Christian families make a confident choice based on the perception of permanence that stronger messaging will convey
- Be the guide for families and organizations who want to create a legacy of stewardship
Richmond Christian Foundation
As a startup foundation, Richmond Christian Foundation turned to Aespire for identity design, strategy, StoryBrand messaging, and website development.
Brand Strategy:
Clear Brand Messaging and One Voice
With clear messaging to specific audiences (donors, organizations, and advisors), IHS Foundation and RCF gained the confidence to speak to supporter's values.
- Capture the brand story elements that will help guide messaging, content, and communications and position these community foundations as a resource for generous Christian individuals, families, and organizations
- Create a cohesive brand story so everybody in the organization and the board speaks with one voice about the brand, the mission, and its impact
- Lead the conversation to focus on the organization’s mission, vision, values, and voice
- Plan and develop a new website, integrating the donor management portal and new visual brand identity
- Design a Community Foundation brochure to share values and relevance for two distinct yet interrelated audiences
Outcomes:
Aespire guided IHS Foundation and Richmond Christian Foundation staff and Trustees through a rigorous process that included:
- Alignment and refinement of the community foundation’s purpose, mission, vision, and values
- Designing a modern logo and visual identity
- Creating clear messaging that communicates with clarity to supporters, donors, nonprofit organizations and ministries, and financial advisors
- Developing memorable elevator pitches and brand narratives that give staff, trustees, supporters, and donors a common language and the freedom to share their stories of impact and transformation
- A beautiful brand storybook to share the IHS Foundation story and highlight examples of how IHS Foundation helped generous people find opportunities and guidance to make a difference and create an eternal impact
- A stunning and modern website for each Christian Community Foundation
- Richmond Christian Foundation website
- IHS Foundation website
- Coaching and equipping to make the most of this suite of tools
Northeast Ohio's In His Steps Foundation unveils a new website supported by brand strategy, a brand refresh, StoryBrand messaging, and new donor- and nonprofit-focused marketing touchpoints.
“As our messaging and marketing were ramping up, we knew we would need a host of help: logo and identity creation, mission clarification, practical things like letterhead, website development, and more.
We could get all of that with Aespire, and since it was under one agency, we knew it would simplify and keep branding, messaging, and our identity consistent across all media and platforms.”
As a startup, Richmond Christian Foundation unveiled a new brand identity and website supported by strategy, StoryBrand messaging, and new donor- and nonprofit-focused marketing touchpoints.
“Richmond Christian Foundation is the only local Gospel-centered community foundation providing donor-advised funds and charitable financial services to our area.
We disciple and encourage donors, businesses, and advisors towards more generous giving that sees Richmond’s societal divisions healed, the needs of its marginalized met, and spiritual lives ignited through the generous giving of the Body of Christ supporting area ministries and outreaches.”
Communicating with Clarity
“Aespire started by helping us create a memorable summary of our unique value in response to the relatable stresses felt by our two distinctly different audiences: donors and fundraising organizations.”
Do you feel powerless because you’re competing against deep-pocketed competitors? Call today for marketing to elevate your brand, create new customers, and grow your business.
Aespire Branding
North Ridgeville, OH 44039
Phone: (440) 322-5142
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