2. Strategy
&
Implementation
Helping 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
3. Capabilities
Communications strategy and tactics
Communications audits and evaluation
Message platforms
Website development and evaluation
Social media optimization
Issue framing
Issue campaigns
Competition analysis
Writing/editing
Publications management
4. 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!
5. 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.
Margaret Wheatley, author of Leadership and the New Science
Nonprofit communications is about
relationships.
6. 70% strategy/30% tactics
My philosophy
Spend 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.
7.
quot;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.quot;
Tom Horner, partner
Himle Horner Public Affairs
Minneapolis
8. History: 25 Years, 20 Awards
Communications 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.
12. quot;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.quot;
Neal Cuthbert, Vice President, Program
The McKnight Foundation
15. Issue Range
I've written more than 50 opinion editorials and speeches
for nonproit executives on topics such as:
Community development Challenges in public education
Community engagement Financing higher education
Affordable housing The undergraduate experience
Economic development Wind energy
Regionalism and balanced growth Protecting open space
Urban design Protecting water quality
Racism and immigration The role of philanthropy in public
The working poor policy
Transportation policy Ethnic philanthropy
Placemaking The art of nonprofit leadership
Arts as community development The value of networks in social change
Early childhood education Media Violence
Youth development
17. quot;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.quot;
Stefan Hartung, creative director
Hartung Kemp
18. 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 Thorsen
IMPACTMAX
1908 Fremont Ave. South
Minneapolis, MN 55403
612-377-3176
gcthorsen@earthlink.net
