Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing – Details, episodes & analysis

Health organizations can struggle to bridge the gap between intention and impact when creating resources for diverse communities. In this episode, host Spencer Brooks interviews Alicia Edwards, Jerico Cummings, and Jane Manthei from the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board (NPAIHB) about their approach to developing digital resources that respond directly to community needs. This conversation is perfect for nonprofit leaders and digital marketers looking to build trust, ensure cultural relevance, and make a meaningful difference through inclusive digital strategies.

About the guests

Alicia Edwards, MPH, CHES (she/her), is the Syndemics Communications Manager at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. She is dedicated to creating culturally relevant health materials for American Indians and Alaskan Natives, honoring her Okanogan Band of the Colville Tribe heritage and upbringing in Okanogan County, WA.

Jerico Cummings (they/them) is a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and serves as the 2SLGBTQ+ Training & Community Engagement Specialist for the Paths (Re)Membered Project at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. Personally and professionally, they feel called to spaces where they can exist and support community at the points where indigeneity, sexual orientation, and gender identity all intersect. 

Jane Manthei is the Text Messaging Communications Specialist at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board. She focuses on projects within adolescent health and suicide prevention. Her work explores different forms of storytelling across multiple media formats and promoting cultural protective factors for Native youth.

Resources

• Them: https://www.them.us/
• Erin in the Morning: https://www.erininthemorning.com/
• CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/index.html
• HIV.gov: https://www.hiv.gov/
• National Coalition of STD Directors: https://www.ncsddc.org/
• Illuminative: https://illuminative.org/
• NDN Collective: https://ndncollective.org/
• Native Health Resources: https://www.nativehealthresources.org/
• We R Native: www.wernative.org
• Paths Remembered: https://www.pathsremembered.org/
• Text NATIVE to 94449 to sign up for We R Native text messages
• Text 2SLGBTQ to 94449 for Two Spirit & Indigiqueer Health Info & Resources

Contact Alicia, Jane and Jerico

• www.npaihb.org 
• @2slgbtq (Paths (Re)Membered account): https://www.instagram.com/2slgbtq/
• @wernative (adolescent health insta): https://www.instagram.com/wernative/
• @npaihb (Board’s primary insta): https://www.instagram.com/npaihb/

In the nonprofit world, marketing and communications teams often face unique challenges with limited resources and growing expectations. In this episode, host Spencer Brooks interviews Lauren Cotter, Marketing Director at Community Tech Network, about her journey from being a solo marketer to leading a team that drives digital literacy initiatives for underserved communities. Listen in for insights on managing marketing in small nonprofits, leveraging digital tools, and navigating complex stakeholder dynamics—ideal for nonprofit leaders, digital marketers, and health communications professionals.

About the guest

Lauren Cotter is the Marketing and Communications Director at Community Tech Network (CTN), with over 30 years of experience in marketing, sales, and communications.

Lauren has been instrumental in promoting CTN's mission and impact and growth. She joined CTN as an Encore Fellow during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has since used her expertise in branding, strategic positioning, media, social media, Google Ads, analytics, content and design, and public relations to further CTN's initiatives.

Lauren is passionate about bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone, especially seniors, the disabled, and marginalized communities, has access to the digital tools they need to thrive in today's world.

Resources

• Canva for graphics: https://www.canva.com/
• Hootsuite's free version for scheduling social media also has a content calendar.: https://www.hootsuite.com/
• Google Ad Grants: Google grants $10,000 a month for a qualifying non-profit: https://www.google.ca/grants/
• Hubspot has great marketing blogs: https://www.hubspot.com/
• Monday.com: https://monday.com/
• Volunteer Match for volunteers: https://www.volunteermatch.org/
• ChatGPT for help with writing: https://chatgpt.com/

Contact Lauren

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://communitytechnetwork.org/

In this episode of Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing, speaker, trainer, and consultant Karen Graham joins us to share the fundamentals of technology planning and making the case for technology investments. We discuss how to assess your current level of technology maturity and determine what to focus on. We also discuss writing a strategic technology plan, identifying learning needs, building staff technology skills, and pitching technology improvements to your boss, board, and funders. Karen also shares the importance of evaluating ROI for current and potential technologies

If you are seeking to use technology in ways that unlock possibilities you’ve never had before, or that lead to big changes in the way you do your work or the impact you make, you don’t want to miss this episode.

About the guest

Karen Graham is a speaker, trainer, writer, and consultant with expertise in technology leadership and innovation, nonprofit software, and digital strategy. Her consulting work includes strategic technology roadmaps, development of knowledge resources, and leadership coaching. 

Karen was the Executive Director of the national nonprofit Idealware, and has held leadership roles in capacity building, arts, and human service organizations as well as a software startup. She holds an MBA in Nonprofit Management from the University of St. Thomas.

Resources

• Minnesota Council of Nonprofits: https://minnesotanonprofits.org/
• Technology Association of Grantmakers: https://www.tagtech.org/
• AI Episodes of Health Digital Non Profit: https://brooks.digital/health-nonprofit-digital-marketing/navigating-nonprofit-landscape-ai/

Contact Karen

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karentgraham/ 
• Website: karengrahamconsulting.com 
• Worksheet: https://www.karengrahamconsulting.com/worksheet 

In this episode of Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing, we explore the topic of nonprofit digital transformation through the story of Ride Connection, a nonprofit organization with a mission to provide transportation solutions to older adults and people with disabilities. Our guest, Kelly Stover, the Development Director at Ride Connection, shares her unique journey of overseeing marketing for the organization and taking the lead in a much-needed website redesign. We explore the signs that prompted the website revamp, internal alignment, and the critical role of storytelling in nonprofit digital marketing. Join us for an insightful conversation on bridging the gap between development and marketing to create a digital presence that effectively communicates the mission and impact of a health-focused nonprofit.

About the guest

Kelly Stover is the Development Director at Ride Connection, a non-profit organization providing free, accessible transportation options to older adults and people with disabilities in the Portland, Oregon area. Before joining Ride Connection, Kelly worked as the Senior Event and Sponsorship Coordinator for a local health system, Legacy Health, raising funds for six foundations over ten years. Kelly’s work in the nonprofit space began as an event assistant with the storied Portland Rose Festival Foundation in 2005 and has never looked back. Kelly is a graduate of Portland State University, with an Arts & Letters degree with a focus on Communications. While not a marketing professional per se, Kelly’s experience has led to her work in the marketing aspect of nonprofit work, and has been taking on and overseeing more and more marketing projects the last several years. 

Kelly lives in Vancouver, Washington with her husband, Charles, daughters, Sophie and Amelia,  and lab, Autzen.

Resources

• The People’s Nonprofit Accelerator: https://thepeoplesnonprofit.org/

Contact Kelly

• [email protected] 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ride-connection-inc. 
• Twitter: @Ride_Connection
• Facebook: RideConnection 
• Website: www.rideconnection.org

Many health professionals know the struggle of spreading awareness in a crowded digital space. Tune in with Christina Locmelis of Wounds Canada as she unveils the pillars of successful collaborative campaigns, such as the need for strategic alliances, using data wisely, and addressing the specific hurdles nonprofits encounter in drawing attention to vital health issues. This episode is a must-listen for those looking to boost their campaigns' reach and effectiveness, featuring expert advice on strategic partnerships and data-driven marketing.

About the guest

Christina is an award-winning collaborator, and leader in strategic communications, marketing, and member engagement. She has extensive experience successfully executing digital marketing and communications strategies including national and international award-winning campaigns. She thrives on engaging with members and stakeholders, generating awareness of organizational activities and industry issues, and enhancing the public profile of organizations. 

Christina is the Director of Communications & Membership at Wounds Canada, a non-profit charitable organization established in 1995.

Resources

• Wounds Canada: https://www.woundscanada.ca/
•  International Association of Business Communicators: https://www.iabc.com/
• Centre for Strategic Communication Excellence https://thecsce.com/

Contact Christina

• [email protected] 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-locmelis/

In this episode of Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing, we dive into the intricacies of redesigning nonprofit health websites with Kyle Taylor of NASTAD, a nonprofit that represents public health officials who administer HIV and hepatitis programs in the U.S. Join Spencer Brooks and Kyle as they discuss the challenges and opportunities in reorganizing content, improving accessibility, and aligning websites with an organization's evolving vision. Discover the importance of involving all stakeholders and planning for long-term growth in your digital marketing endeavors.

About the guest

Kyle Taylor is the director of communications for NASTAD, a nonprofit association that works to end the HIV/AIDS and hepatitis epidemics in the United States. He leads NASTAD’s five-person communications team and directs all of the organization’s internal and external communications, including its website, social media, newsletters, and media outreach. Kyle has more than a decade of experience working in communications for public health focused nonprofits and has led the development of two websites for national nonprofits. 

Resources

• Non Profit Technology Conference by NTEN: https://www.nten.org/gather
• Progressive Communicators of Washington DC: https://medium.com/progressive-communicators-of-washington-d-c

Contact Kyle

• https://nastad.org/
• [email protected]

In this episode, we sit down with Taya Jarman, a communications professional at The Institute for Public Health Innovation, to explore the nuances of strategic communication. Taya shares her journey of conducting an initial communications audit at her organization, highlighting the importance of understanding and effectively using various communication channels to reach and engage diverse audiences. Through her insights, listeners will learn about the challenges and opportunities in crafting messages that resonate, the critical role of strategic planning in nonprofit communications, and how to ensure their efforts align with their organization's mission and goals.

About the guest

Taya M. Jarman, MS, APR is an award-winning and accomplished Communications Director at the Institute for Public Health Innovation (IPHI). At IPHI, she has refreshed the organization’s brand to include a robust DE&I and ADA-compliant website, social media ecosystem, and marketing materials to improve health and wellness in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia region. Before IPHI, she served in the state government for 16 years as the Population Health Communications Director for the Virginia Department of Health (VDH). 

Throughout her career, Taya has won over a dozen local and national awards. She was recognized twice as Top 40 under 40 in Richmond’s Style Weekly and nationally in PRWeek.

She graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a Master of Science in strategic public relations and studied abroad in China (Beijing and Shanghai). She also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and leadership from Christopher Newport University (CNU) and a graduate certification in general management public relations from the University of Maryland Global Campus.

When she’s not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, two sons Tripp and Tyler, and a pandemic puppy – Uno the Schnoodle.

Resources

• Axios: https://www.axios.com/
• American Marketing Association: https://www.ama.org/
• Public Relations Society of America: https://www.prsa.org/ 
• Navigating the Nonprofit Landscape with AI – George Weiner of Whole Whale: https://brooks.digital/health-nonprofit-digital-marketing/navigating-nonprofit-landscape-ai/

Contact Taya

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tayajarman/
• Institute for Public Health Innovation: https://www.institutephi.org/

Join us in this episode of Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing as host Spencer Brooks sits down with Jeff Barrus from the Grantmakers In Health (GIH) to explore two compelling topics. First, we’ll uncover the latest trends in health philanthropy and discover what funders are prioritizing in the ever-evolving landscape. Then, we’ll discuss tailoring your communications to meet the specific needs of your audience, drawing from Jeff's unique perspective as a communications director in the health nonprofit space.

About the guest

Jeff Barrus is the Communications Director at Grantmakers in Health (GIH), a philanthropy-serving organization that supports health funders of all sizes and interests through education, networking, and leadership. Prior to joining GIH, Jeff was Communications Director at the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, where he led communications on a wide range of journalism and education initiatives. While at the Pulitzer Center, he was part of the team that produced the 1619 Project education network website, which won two 2022 Webby awards. He began his career at National Public Radio in 1998 and went on to serve in various communications roles at nonprofits, think tanks, and universities, including The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, the Atlantic Council, and Johns Hopkins University. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Maryland and lives in Washington, DC, with his wife, twin daughters, and three dogs.

Resources

• Chronicle of Philanthropy https://www.philanthropy.com/
• Philanthropy News Digest https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/
• Inside Philanthropy https://www.insidephilanthropy.com/
• Non Profit Quarterly https://nonprofitquarterly.org/
• The Communications Network https://www.comnetwork.org/
• United Philanthropy Forum https://www.unitedphilforum.org/

Contact Jeff

• Grantmakers In Health https://www.gih.org/
• Threads https://www.threads.net/@gjbarrus
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gjbarrus/
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode, Spencer Brooks interviews Howard Pearl, the CEO of Charitable Adult Rides and Services (CARS), a nonprofit organization that runs car donation and real estate donation programs. Howard shares insights into the unique approach CARS takes to building partnerships with nonprofits and the impact of these partnerships. He also discusses the benefits of vehicle and real estate donation programs for nonprofits and the types of nonprofits that can benefit from them. Additionally, Howard introduces the On The Go program, which provides transportation services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Finally, he offers advice on navigating board relationships and securing funding for strategic initiatives. Discover how Howard's leadership has transformed CARS, helping them raise over $60 million a year for nonprofits and working with over 8,000 charities.

About the guest

Howard Pearl is the Chief Executive Officer of Charitable Adult Rides & Services (CARS). He is an accomplished business leader with over 35 years of c-suite experience and is a graduate of Harvard Business School. He has provided services to organizations, including Johnson & Johnson, the Ford Motor Company, and Revlon. Since joining CARS in 2015, Howard has transformed the company culture around gratitude and has led a 500% increase in top-line revenue. Additionally, Howard is leading the charge to expand CARS’ On the Go transportation program nationally to support older adults across the country through transportation solutions and meal delivery services. 

Resources

• Car Easy https://careasy.org/home
• Giving Property: https://givingproperty.org/
• On The Go Rides: https://otgrides.org/home

Contact George

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardpearl/
• Email: [email protected]

In this episode of the Health Nonprofit Digital Marketing podcast, Spencer Brooks sits down with Nicole Jones, Director of Marketing at Anti Cancer Lifestyle Program, to explore the topic of strategic onboarding. Nicole shares insights on the importance of a 30-60-90 day plan, emphasizing transparency, goal alignment, and the value of discovery mode. Discover how crafting a solid plan can set the stage for nonprofit success and efficient resource management in the healthcare space.

About the guest

Nicole Jones is a seasoned marketing expert and storyteller who brings over 15 years of experience in driving impactful campaigns for nonprofits like the Anticancer Lifestyle Program and TechSoup. As the former Director of Marketing at Kintone, she led diverse initiatives from content strategy to branding and social impact. A UC Berkeley Journalism grad, Nicole blends her journalistic insights with a strategic approach, excelling in creating narratives that inspire action.

Resources

• What is an OKR? https://www.whatmatters.com/ 
• Fast Company: https://www.fastcompany.com/
• Stanford Social Innovation Review: https://ssir.org/
• The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/
• Nonprofit tech for good: https://www.nptechforgood.com/
• HubSpot: https://www.hubspot.com/
• Anti Cancer Lifestyle Program: https://anticancerlifestyle.org/

Contact Nicole

• Email: [email protected]