comm 496 senior sem: "answering the cries of newborns," - assisting newborns in need with...
TRANSCRIPT
“Answering The Cries Of Newborns,” - Assisting Newborns In Need With
Communication And Outreach
Marisa Schmidt
Purpose of Project• Newborns In Need is a national organization that’s dedicated to
answering the cries of poverty from families who have children from newborn to 4 years. The Newborns In Need Chapter of Springfield, Missouri is one of the largest chapters in the nation. When mothers and other surrounding agencies arrive at Newborns In Need, they are given clothes and other accessories to assist mothers and improve children’s lives. What makes Newborns In Need unique from other organizations is that 75% of the items that leave Newborns In Need are made from fabric scraps and yarn, handcrafted in love and selflessness. To further emphasize the purpose of the project, Newborns In Need is continually in need of infant donations to return back to families and agencies throughout Springfield and surrounding counties. This project will address the needs of donations through social media management, grant writing, and implementation of a quarterly newsletter.
Client• Newborns In Need of Springfield, MO• As one of the biggest chapters in the U.S., Newborns
in Need of Springfield, MO is continually in need of donations, whether they are craft items to create baby items or baby items themselves.
• Newborns In Need accepts items such as fabrics, yarns, baby clothes, blankets, toiletries, ribbon, elastic, and other baby or craft items.
Timeline
Timeline• Client meetings took place every other week
to review results of social media efforts, brainstorm ideas for newsletter, discuss grant opportunities, and more.
Timeline• Execution of deliverables calendar– Social Media Posts: September 15, September 19,
September 20, September 22, September 23, September 26, September 29, October 6, October 27.
– Quarterly Newsletter: October 1– Junior League of Springfield Concept Note:
October 7– Binnie Clements Guild Grant: October 30
Research• Research was conducted to improve content and engagement on Newborns
In Need’s Facebook page, create meaningful content for quarterly newsletters, and enhance grant writing skills. All three of these research objectives were also aimed to achieve writing that conveyed a sense of urgency and need within the organization.
• Research was also conducted to learn more about the national and local organizatons, historically.
• Sources used:– AdWeek (for writing social media content specific to nonprofits)– BuffApp (for stats regarding Facebook engagement)– Nonprofit Hub (for grant-writing resources)– MailChimp (for engagement tips on newsletter writing)– The Grantsmanship Center (for enhancing authentic grant-writing)– newbornsinneedspringfield.org (for seeing history of Newborns In Need)– Social Media Audit
Deliverables• Deliverables– Social Media• #SleeperSaturday posts (3)• #NewbornNewsday posts (9)• Newsletter (1)• JLF Grant (Concept Note for programs associated with
at-risk mothers and pregnant women) (1)• Binnie Clements Guild Grant (Concept Note for
programs that help improve children’s lives in the Springfield area) (1)
• Social Media• #SleeperSaturday posts (3)• #NewbornNewsday (6)
• Newsletter• Fall Quarterly Newsletter (1)
• JLS Grant• Concept Letter (1)
• Binnie Clements Grant• Concept Letter (1)
Outline of Deliverables
#NewbornNewsday #1
#SleeperSaturday #1
#NewbornNewsday #2
#SleeperSaturday #1
#NewbornNewsday #4
#SleeperSaturday 3
#SleeperSaturday #5
#NewbornNewsday #6
#SleeperSaturday #7
JLS Concept Note for Grant
Binnie Clements Guild Grant Concept Letter
Quarterly Fall Newsletter
Moving Forward• Analytics from social media postings will help the organization narrow
down what Facebook users engage with continually to craft further messages.
• The newsletter will go out quarterly to remind people of volunteer and donation opportunities, educate recipients of recent news at the organization, and thank donors.
• The Binnie Clements Grant was due October 31. Grant awards will be announced mid-November. If the grant money is awarded, Newborns In Need will manufacture 700 Boppy Pillows for children and mothers in the Springfield area.
• The Junior League of Springfield Grant is due Monday, February 16. If Newborns In Need is awarded this grant opportunity, Junior League of Springfield will be assisting Newborns In Need with three new programs.
Moving Forward• Because the experience working with
Newborns In Need has been so rewarding and meaningful, I am collaborating on an updated website for the organization. The project will take place over Christmas Break and the website will go live by the beginning of February.
“Answering The Cries Of Newborns,” - Assisting Newborns In Need With
Communication And Outreach
Marisa Schmidt
Questions?