4 Examples of the Best Photo Strategies for Nonprofits

We’ve all heard the cliche phrase, “a picture is worth a thousand words,” but images hold real value in displaying important content. Visual images elicit emotional responses from viewers sparking awareness, inspiring action, jump starting a movement, and changing the world.

So how can your nonprofit make every photo worth a thousand words? To get the creative wheels turning, we’ve collected 5 of the best visual strategies for nonprofits.

Testimonies

Beneficiaries are the tangible evidence of the positive impact an organization has made. A beneficiary could be an individual, family, class, animal etc. Beneficiaries could even include an inanimate object. For instance, a national park, plot of recovered land, or building.

Showcase one of your beneficiaries on your nonprofit’s website homepage or in a blog post.

For instance, check out charity:water. Does this image and text combo not make you want to read more?

 

Highlights

Similar to a beneficiary’s testimony, give your support network the gratitude they deserve by highlighting them on the homepage of website, in a blog post, or even at a fundraiser.

Meet with them for an interview and ask them a series of questions that will be highlighted on the website. Question could include:

• Why did you choose to volunteer/work/donate to this specific nonprofit?
• How has the nonprofit made a positive impact in the community?
• How has this nonprofit impacted you?
• Would you volunteer/donate again?

United Way of Metropolitan Dallas has allocated an entire section of their website for Donor Highlights. They’ve written individual blogs on how their donors have gone the extra mile to contribute to the nonprofit.

Infographics

Nonprofits publish lengthy annual reports to communicate major accomplishments and data to their donors, volunteers, staff, and board of directors. However, the invested energy that goes into creating these reports often isn’t as beneficial. Many nonprofits have started ditching the traditional annual report and have instead started to incorporate infographics as a more creative and impactful alternative. If done right, infographics can help your nonprofit better communicate and engage its support network.

Check out Oxfam America’s infographic on hunger in the U.S. This image relays statistic-heavy data in an informative and unique way.

 

Donations Page

Get creative with your nonprofits donation landing page! Every great donation page should include an image that visually represents the impact of a donor’s contributions. A compelling image should inspire your donors and make them want to continue supporting your nonprofit. This is extremely valuable space, so make it count!

Include an image of someone/something that your donors will directly impact, or create an infographic with a step-by-step rundown of where the money will be allocated.

Once again, charity:water excels in this category. They’ve personalized their donation thank-you page by including a picture and short bio of a beneficiary.

 

We live in a visual age where humans respond and engage better with things they can see. Take advantage of this and create a visual strategy for your nonprofit’s web content, social media platforms, donations page, etc. Engage your audience, inspire them with powerful imagery, and continue doing more good!