IMPACTMAXEffective nonprofit communications

Now more than ever.

Strategy&

ImplementationHelping you understand your priority audiences and messages, and

most cost-effective tactics. Communications that grow your organization and help change the world.

 Gayle Thorsen

25 Years in Twin Cities Nonprofit & Philanthropic Communications 612-377-3176   gcthorsen@earthlink.net

 

Capabilities

Communications strategy and tacticsCommunications audits and evaluation

Message platformsWebsite development and evaluation

Social media optimizationIssue framing

Issue campaignsCompetition analysis

Writing/editingPublications management

 

For nonprofits, tough economies can mean cutbacks in communications--right  at the moment when those

investments are needed most. There has never been a more important time for funders, donors, and other potential partners to

understand your impact. 

Protect your communications budget!

  The world doesn’t change one person at a time. It

changes as networks of relationships form among people who discover they share a common cause and vision

of what’s possible.

 Nonprofit communications is about relationships.

 Margaret Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science  

70% strategy/30% tacticsMy philosophySpend 70% of your time and energy on strategy and 30% on tactics. One of the biggest mistakes nonprofits and philanthropies make is rushing to decide tactics without clearly understanding what change they're trying to effect in the world and who can make it happen. Once you're crystal clear about those two things, communications tactics tend to evolve organically. You know who you're trying to reach, what they need to hear from whom, and what communication channels they use. The choices are obvious.

 

"Gayle brings a wealth of talents and skills to every program. But time and again, I have found that her greatest contribution is her strategic vision--her ability to define the fundamental value an initiative has to the organization, then to marshal resources and make tactical decisions to achieve that end."

                        Tom Horner, partner                        Himle Horner Public Affairs

                        Minneapolis

History: 25 Years/20 AwardsCommunications director, The McKnight Foundation, Minneapolis

 Vice president for communications, The Minneapolis Foundation

 Communications director, College of Education and Human Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis

 Public relations director, Minneapolis College of Art and Design

 Accredited by the Public Relations Society of America in 1995.

 Master's degree in English; bachelor's degrees in journalism and English

 20 communications awards from the national Council on Foundations; One Show , Communication Arts  and Print magazines; national Communication Action Network; and Web Marketing Association.

 

Portfolio: Website DevelopmentThe McKnight Foundation

Website DevelopmentTwin Cities LISC

Website Development

     

Embrace Open Space Advocacy Campaign 

"Gayle has this amazing ability to not only get projects done    beautifully, on budget, on time, but to creatively and intentionally market the ideas in them on a much larger sale. She's taken McKnight far beyond effective publications into a wide, innovative spectrum of communications support for our program goals."

                                                            Neal Cuthbert, Vice President, Program

                                            The McKnight Foundation

Portfolio: Issue CampaignsEmbrace Open Space ad and poster

Issue CampaignsParenting campaign and racism campaign newspaper inserts (booklets)

Issue Range

Community developmentCommunity engagementAffordable housingEconomic development Regionalism and balanced growthUrban design Racism and immigrationThe working poorTransportation policy PlacemakingArts as community development Early childhood educationYouth development 

Challenges in public educationFinancing higher education The undergraduate experience Wind energy Protecting open spaceProtecting water qualityThe role of philanthropy in public policy Ethnic philanthropyThe art of nonprofit leadership The value of networks in social changeMedia Violence

I've written more than 50 opinion editorials and speeches for nonproit executives on topics such as:

Portfolio: Annual ReportsThe McKnight Foundation

"Naturally a great communicator, Gayle has elevated each project to new heights--thanks to her grand vision. Over the past nine years we were able to produce not only hardworking communication but also innovative, award winning creativity."

Stefan Hartung, creative directorHartung Kemp

Your bottom line is society.You're not selling widgets. I've sat where you sat and felt that passion for a better world. I still feel it.

Your reputation is as stake.So is mine. We want exactly the same thing--exceptional quality and maximum impact.  

Gayle ThorsenIMPACTMAX

Minneapolis, MN 612-377-3176

gcthorsen@earthlink.net