🗝️ Welcome to Keynotes: Mastering Marketing for Nonprofits! 🚀

Hello Reader!

Welcome to this week's edition of Keynotes. I'm Key your nonprofit guide and lovable rogue raccoon. Today we're focused on jobs. How do you stand out when applying for a new role in the nonprofit sector?

Stay tuned for the best advice to land your dream role, a tool to help every nonprofit task, and a story so heartwarming you'll need to crack open the tissue box.

📬 Summary

This week, we're diving into:

🕵️‍♂️ One Problem - Standing out when applying for a nonprofit role

🚀 One Tool - Fundraising Expert GPT

🌟 One Story - TikTok for good.

🔍 One Problem - How do I stand out when applying for a nonprofit job?

When aiming to snag a job at a nonprofit, standing out from the crowd is key. Here are Key's 3 tips to stand out in your job application

Make a unique cover letter
Tweak your resume for each role
Follow companies and reference their recent content

Make a Unique Cover Letter

A standout cover letter is your first chance to make a personal connection with the hiring team. This is where you tell your story, express your passion for the cause, and illustrate how your unique skills and experiences make you the perfect fit for their mission.

Don’t just repeat your resume; instead, focus on sharing anecdotes or specific examples that demonstrate your commitment to the nonprofit's goals. Show them why you care, and how you’ve contributed to similar causes in the past. Tailoring your tone and message to align with the nonprofit's culture and values can also help you resonate more deeply with the hiring manager.

Tweak Your Resume for Each Role

One size does not fit all when it comes to resumes, especially in the world of nonprofits. Take the time to modify your resume for each application, highlighting the experience and skills most relevant to the specific role and organization.

If you’re applying for a role in community outreach, for example, prioritize your relevant volunteer experience, event organization skills, and any successful public engagement initiatives you’ve led or contributed to. Use keywords from the job description to get past automated screening processes and ensure your resume speaks directly to the needs and language of the nonprofit.

Follow Companies and Reference Their Recent Content

Showing that you’re not just interested in a job, but specifically in the mission and work of the nonprofit, can set you apart. Follow your target organizations on social media, subscribe to their newsletters, and engage with their content to get a deeper understanding of their current projects, achievements, and challenges.

When applying or interviewing, reference this content to demonstrate your genuine interest and offer insights or ideas that could contribute to their work. This proactive approach not only shows that you’ve done your homework but also that you’re already thinking about ways you can contribute to their mission.

In 2024, standing out when applying for a job means going beyond the basics. It’s about making a personal connection, showcasing your relevance to the role, and proving your genuine interest in their work.

🛠️ One Tool - Fundraising Expert GPT

Our featured tool this week is making full use of chatGPT and leveraging the power of AI to make your fundraising tasks easier.

Fundraising Expert is a custom chatGPT plugin that was created by John Harvey.

Its model uses data from the nonprofit world to provide tailored outputs. It also includes starter conversations like:

How can I improve my donation letter?
Write a press release for our charity event
What are some effective fundraising strategies and more!

As with most instances of AI, the best way to get a good output is with a good input.

Here are three ways to make your prompt the most effective it can be:

Give the GPT as much information as possible before asking your question. E.g. start your prompt with information on your area of fundraising, your organization, who you target for donations,
Ask for gaps in your thinking. E.g. what other information do you need from me to make this response the best possible?
Don't take the first output as the end product. Take time to ask follow-up questions and tweak the instructions to make the most of your search

Test it out here →

🏅 One Highlight

This TikTok video has over 10m views and highlights a lesser-known South American bird called the Potoo or ghost bird. TikTok is often seen as a way to waste time while on the toilet but videos like this show the educational nature that the platform can have.

The Potoo's rise to internet fame is a testament to how social media can illuminate the beauty and significance of nature's lesser-known marvels, transforming viewers into passionate advocates for biodiversity.