Stop Raising Awareness with Kathleen Tonini

Simply “raising awareness” isn’t enough anymore for nonprofits. In this episode, communications specialist Kathleen Tonini joins Nonprofit Nation to challenge one of the sector’s most common traps—mistaking noise for strategy. With her G.A.M.E. framework (Goal, Audience, Message, Engage), Kathleen helps values-driven organizations get clear and confident about how they communicate, so they can inspire real action—not just fill inboxes.

Together, we dig into the difference between performative messaging and strategic storytelling, and how nonprofit leaders can shift from reactive comms to communications that build trust, clarity, and genuine support.

🔍 What We Discuss

• The problem with “raising awareness” and what to do instead
• Kathleen’s G.A.M.E. framework for strategic messaging
• How to audit your messaging without scrapping everything
• Why clarity beats cleverness in nonprofit communications
• Messaging mistakes that cost organizations trust and traction

✒️ About Kathleen Tonini

Kathleen is a messaging strategist who helps mission-driven organizations get clear, strategic, and confident with their communications. With years of experience working across issue areas and organizational sizes, she brings a grounded, action-focused approach to communications that converts.

🧰 Resources & Links:

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-tonini-419943b9/
• https://theleap.co/creator/commswithkathleen/

🪷🪷 This episode sponsored by Bloomerang! 🪷🪷

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