Branding and Messaging in the Social Sector

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Branding and Messaging in the Social Sector

Nonprofit Branding and Social Justice Messaging equip professionals with the skills and knowledge to critically analyze and enhance the branding and messaging efforts of nonprofit organizations. This experience delves into the intersection of nonprofit branding and social justice, focusing on how branding can either perpetuate or challenge oppressive social structures.

Through a combination of interactive discussions, in-session workshops, and independent research, earners of this microcredential will explore the power dynamics inherent in nonprofit branding and learn to craft compelling, equity-centered messages. The experience emphasizes practical application, enabling participants to assess real-world nonprofit messaging, identify areas for improvement, and develop strategic recommendations that align with shared values and promote social justice.

This microcredential is ideal for nonprofit professionals, communications specialists, social justice advocates, and anyone interested in leveraging branding and messaging to drive social change. Upon completion, earners will have the expertise to transform nonprofit narratives, making them powerful tools for advocacy and social justice.

Earning Criteria

- Write a two-page Reflection on their personal learnings in the course.
- Create a Branding Assessment for a specific nonprofit organization.
- Develop Reframed Messages for the same nonprofit organization.

Additional Details

Learning Outcomes

- Analyze nonprofit branding, understanding its impact on social justice and power dynamics
- Craft and reframe nonprofit messages to align with shared values, articulate problems and solutions, and promote social justice and equity
- Engage in collaborative learning through discussions, workshops, and peer feedback to enhance collective understanding and application of course concepts
- Define personal learning goals, engage in self-reflection, and evaluate growth in applying course learnings to personal and professional contexts
- Apply course tools and techniques to assess and improve nonprofit messaging, and enhance presentation skills through sharing and receiving feedback on assessments and recommendations

Time to Earn

~ 5 weekly meetings of 2.5hrs (12.5 hrs instruction time and 25-30 hrs of independent preparation and project time)
Sally Scott

Sally Scott

Prof of Practice

Division of Professional Studies
Sociology, Anthropology, and Public Health