If you’re not a communications professional, the distinctions between the terms “marketing” and “public relations” may be fuzzy. Jon Pushkin, president of Pushkin Public Relations, tackled the differences at a recent Foundation seminar called Marketing & Public Relations Tools to Boost Visibility of Your Endowment. By illustrating the features of marketing and public relations, Pushkin helped nonprofit partners learn how to increase visibility of their endowments. “Marketing builds a market for an organization’s products and services,” he emphasized. “Public relations helps an organization communicate effectively with its target audiences.”

Palmer Pekarek, director of communications at Community First Foundation, followed Pushkin’s discussion by encouraging partners to take endowment visibility one step further. He recommended branding endowment campaigns.

“A brand allows people to tie an identity and cause together,” said Pekarek. “This can begin the association of the endowment challenge campaign with the organization, its key messaging and mission—and ultimately boost the campaign’s results.”

Pekarek also highlighted key points in creating a successful brand and illustrated the five brand development phases. Over 30 nonprofit partners attended the seminar, offered by Community First Foundation as a complimentary service.

To view the PowerPoint presentations and learn more about the speakers, select the links below.

Pushkin PowerPoint Presentation:
Creating Awareness for Your Endowment

Pekarek PowerPoint Presentation:
Creating a Successful Brand for Endowments