NPCommPix All-Star: The Colorado Trust

NPCommPix All-Star: The Colorado Trust

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In celebration of our 2nd #NPCommPix month, we’re profiling some extraordinary participants in our little photo-a-day experiment. These are some nonprofit organizations and pros that are taking on the challenge of posting daily photos to increase storytelling about their nonprofit, cause and supporters.

We did a quick Q&A to learn about their motivations to participate, and of course, we asked about goals and outcomes so you can learn about the benefits of adding photo storytelling to your nonprofit communications toolbox.

Name: Rachel Mondragon

Title: Website Manager

Organization: The Colorado Trust

Website: http://www.coloradotrust.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheColoradoTrust

Instagram: http://instagram.com/thecoloradotrust

#NPCommPix Day 18: #hometown - Downtown #Denver, #Colorado.
#NPCommPix Day 18: #hometown – Downtown #Denver, #Colorado.

Why did you decide to try the photo-a-day challenge? We hoped these challenges would help us start posting without thinking too hard about it. The focus on the daily themes of the challenge have been very helpful rather than trying to think of some random picture to post.

How many people do you have helping with this project? I take all the photos and write most of the captions myself. Every once in a while I reach out to a couple of my co-workers to get ideas when I get stuck.

What did you hope to gain from participating? We wanted to build our portfolio of photos/images, increase our followers and get our message out about achieving health equity for all Coloradans.

Did you meet your expectations/goals? We continue to meet our expectations. Since this is our inaugural year using Instagram our goal is to post as many photos/images as possible and increase followers. This challenge and the October challenge have been key in helping us move toward achieving those goals. Slow and steady.

#npcommpix Day 24: #OurTeam - From left to right is @maggiefrasure, @juliankesner and @drdragon4 (Rachel Mondragon). We are the #communications team spreading the message that The Trust believes all Coloradans should have fair and equal opportunities to lead healthy, productive lives regardless of race, ethnicity, income or where we live. #healthequity
#npcommpix Day 24: #OurTeam – From left to right is @maggiefrasure, @juliankesner and @drdragon4 (Rachel Mondragon). We are the #communications team spreading the message that The Trust believes all Coloradans should have fair and equal opportunities to lead healthy, productive lives regardless of race, ethnicity, income or where we live. #healthequity

What did you learn about taking a photo-a-day of your nonprofit? Photos/images can be very powerful. Almost every photo I take conveys a message or story that relates to our work at The Trust and the work of our grantees.

How did you use those photos? Just on social or other purposes? The photos have only been posted on Instagram, but I’m sure they could be repurposed.

What positive things has happened with your nonprofit’s communications since doing the photo-a-day challenge? BC/DC Ideas wanting to feature The Trust on their website has been a big “positive.” The challenge has also pushed me to think outside the box in terms of messaging.

What would you tel other organizations that want to participate in a photo-a-day challenge? It’s fun, it’s creative, it’s easy and it’s a way to share with other’s the great work that is happening in your organization as well as in the nonprofit sector.

Any additional feedback, learnings or observations? I like seeing all the posts from others participating in the challenge. They’re not only inspiring but I’ve learned about nonprofits that I never knew existed. Thanks for providing such a great way for all of us to communicate about our work.

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Kate Runy

CONTENT & MEDIA SPECIALIST

A passionate technical wizard, Kate thrives on managing online content, social media for communications, and development projects.  Kate is the workhorse of the team, pulling out amazing feats of content creation and management week in and week out. 

Prior to joining BC/DC Ideas, Kate coordinated website and social media content, communications, and advertising for Go Global NC and Alzheimer’s NC.

Things that make her happy: I love animals about as much as I love working for nonprofits.

Mishel Gomez Cespedes

CONTENT COORDINATOR

Mishel brings a passion for video storytelling and quippy social media content to the team.  At BC/DC Ideas, she is most likely editing video or scheduling the next moving social media post for our clients.

Her ear for storytelling is her greatest asset. Mishel has a unique ability to assemble content into a concise story that moves audiences to action.

A graduate of Wake Forest University she spent a semester in Spain and years serving her community through the campus organizations. Now, she is putting her passion for good to work.

Brian Crawford

creative director

Mix equal parts nerd and creativity and that’s Brian. A natural problem-solver, Brian’s ability to cut to the core of any problem helps guide our creative team to the correct solution without wasted time or money. It’s the core, this little nugget of truth, that helps our clients take the next step with their audiences.

Brian gets the greatest joy out of helping our clients realize and connect with their story. He is a true believer that everyone and every organization has a compelling story to tell, you just have to listen with an open heart.

Things that make him happy: Hanging out at the park with family, toddler-speak, hitting the focus pull, and good coffee.

Dawn Crawford

principal

The engine behind BC/DC Ideas, Dawn has dedicated her career to good. Dawn brings her considerable experience and expertise to helping elevate the nonprofit sector. Our team’s lead strategist, Dawn is often seen leading our IdeaStorms, penning communications plans, or checking in with clients.

Before launching BC/DC Ideas in 2010, she earned her chops in 10+ years of communications leadership roles for public health, healthcare and youth-focused nonprofits. Working for nonprofits is Dawn’s dream job, and she loves that her 40+ hours a week make the world a better place.

Things that make her happy: A glass of champagne to celebrate big wins, Basecamp, living in the South, seeing the world, and a well-formatted spreadsheet.