1. What do you like most about working with nonprofits? 

Abby Jarvis: It’s hard to have a bad day when you work with nonprofits, honestly. If I ever feel tired or stressed or overwhelmed, I’ll take a look at what some of our clients are up to. Our clients are amazing: they’re feeding people, caring for animals, curing diseases, preserving land and art and literature. How can I have a bad day when the people I work with are literally changing the world?

2. What was your first experience working with Nonprofits? 

Abby Jarvis: There’s a nonprofit here in my hometown that has a Christmas store where low-income families can go “shop” for Christmas gifts for their families. People donate toys, clothing, and other gifts, and parents can come through and choose what they think their children would enjoy. I’m pretty sure my first-ever volunteer experience was helping organize the store before it opened for business. Watching everyone—customers, staff, and volunteers alike—get SO EXCITED about Christmas presents was so fun.

3. What is your biggest tip for deciding on the right marketing channels?

Abby Jarvis: Ask your donors where they like to learn about what you’re up to! A simple survey asking people about their communication preferences and where they look for information about nonprofits is a remarkably powerful tool. Ask your donors to tell you about themselves and their habits: they’ll feel like you value their opinion, you’ll be able to communicate with them more efficiently, and those marketing channels will probably expose you to other potential supporters who are similar to your existing base.

4. What do you suggest for campaign planners who might be overwhelmed by their current fundraising campaign?

Abby Jarvis: Break big tasks into manageable pieces: small tasks are easier to tackle than bigger ones. Instead of adding “write year-end appeal” to your to-do list, try breaking it down. First, outline your appeal. Then the first draft. Then the post-script. Then have someone edit it, make your edits… you get the idea. This can help for two reasons! First, a big task seems much less daunting if you split it into defined steps or phases, and you can “reward” yourself with a break or something when you complete a step. And, second, it helps you build momentum in your head. Crossing things off a to-do list feels really good, and it can motivate you to finish the next task.

5. What’s one fun fact about yourself? 

Abby Jarvis: I have a huge garden! I’ve spent the last 4 years or so building a huge food forest in my yard. Right now, I’ve got around 80 different edible trees, shrubs, and plants, plus a traditional vegetable and herb garden. My favorites include a banana that tastes like vanilla ice cream, a tree whose berries taste like strawberry cotton candy, and a tree that will (eventually) produce fruits that, to me, taste kind of like birthday cake.

About the Author

Sarah LaFemina

The nonprofit industry is exactly where Sarah belongs as she considers her truest passion, helping others. The digital world is ever-expanding and Sarah is always on top of trends, tech, and new ways to reach people.

In her role at Achieve, Sarah is involved in supporting the Marketing Director by creating digital advertisements and campaigns, writing email copy, and assisting our clients in their digital marketing efforts. Sarah holds a BBA in Marketing from Florida Atlantic University and has represented over 35 brands on Social Media in her career thus far.