Jordana Merkin helps nonprofits clarify their messaging to attract and engage with the right people for them. Subscribe to have actionable nonprofit messaging and communications tips and insights delivered straight to your inbox.
What does your org really do?
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Hi Reader, If you run a food pantry, you provide food. But that's only part of what you do. And not the part your donor really needs to know. You're also providing dignity to a family treated like a neighbor, not like a case number. You're providing peace of mind to a parent who can provide for their kids, despite falling on hard times. Clear messaging should always include your what and your why. Because you're also providing your donors with the real reason they should give. Sometimes we worry that our emails bother our donors, but if our messaging is clear, we're actually providing them with an opportunity. Here's more on how that works and why it matters, especially at this time of year. Rooting for you, Jordana Were you forwarded this email? Click here to subscribe. Copyright © 2026 Voice for Good |
Jordana Merkin, Voice for Good
Jordana Merkin helps nonprofits clarify their messaging to attract and engage with the right people for them. Subscribe to have actionable nonprofit messaging and communications tips and insights delivered straight to your inbox.
Hi Reader, Recently, I was chatting with a friend about the best concerts we've been to.I named Sugar Ray, who I saw last summer, opening for Barenaked Ladies.Mark McGrath hasn't changed since the 90s, and that's kind of his thing. "Why am I the only guy in here with frosted tips?" he asked the audience to an eruption of cheers.And of course we did. He knows the 90s were his heyday and that we remember the music of the 90s with a smile. "Mark McGrath...," my friend said, "which one was he?"...
Hi Reader, The first day of school gets all the attention. The photo. The new outfit. The excitement. The second day is just...school.This year, my daughter picked out two outfits before school even started. One for the first day, and one for the second.I applaud her efforts to keep the magic alive—because in a lot of ways, the second day matters just as much as the first.Our organizations have first days too: the campaign launch, the gala, the giving day.But what happens on the second...
Hi Reader, My brother recently wished my daughter a happy half birthday in our family chat. She doesn't have a phone, so she responded from mine: Thank you so much 😊🤍💙😍🙄🙃😜😂💯❤️🎉😮💪😉🤪🤢🤨🥴😍😛 Then she sent a separate text — just to clarify that she'd sent the first one.I told her she didn't need to do that. We were never at risk of anyone thinking that was me.My voice and my 9.5-year-old's voice are not the same.Your audience should know your organization's voice too. If you removed your logo from...