A Guide to Hope-based Communications
A web guide for human rights and social justice communicators. It sets out 5 shifts: talk about solutions over problems, say what you stand for, create opportunities in place of threats, show support for heroes over pity for victims, and show that change is in hand. Each shift ends with a Take Action prompt. The guide closes with tips on framing workshops and storytelling tools, plus further reading on narratives and values.
Keywords
How to cite
Thomas Coombes (2019). A Guide to Hope-based Communications. OpenGlobalRights. https://openglobalrights.org/hope-guide
Related in the library
- 9.1C112
A Practical Guide to Integrated Communications
A workbook from Idealware that helps nonprofit staff plan communications across channels as one system. It has 18 worksheets in 4 sections: getting started with a self-assessment and an ideal channel mix, planning a campaign with schedules and a week-by-week calendar, planning ongoing maintenance content, and combining both into an integrated week and a longer-term plan. Teams can work through it from start to finish or use single worksheets.
ClassicTool or templateFree - 9.1C113
Communications Toolkit
A toolkit by R. Christine Hershey of Cause Communications for nonprofit staff who run communications with limited resources. It draws on national audits of nonprofit communications needs. It explains how to write a communications plan and set a budget, and gives tools for raising awareness and funds. The print edition has 71 pages, an index and 9 loose worksheets. Teams use it to build or review a basic communications plan.
ClassicKey manual or guideFree - 9.1C114
The Role of Brand in the Nonprofit Sector
An article from the Spring 2012 issue of Stanford Social Innovation Review for nonprofit leaders, communicators and funders. The authors observe that many nonprofits still use their brand mainly for fundraising. They describe a shift toward using brand to pursue long-term social goals and to build internal identity, cohesion and capacity. They set out the brand IDEA framework: brand integrity, brand democracy, brand ethics and brand affinity. Readers use it to rethink the job of a brand.
ClassicShort readFree with sign-up - 9.1C116
Framing Issues for Social Justice Impact
An online directory from the Commons Social Change Library that collects framing and messaging research on about 35 issues, from abortion and climate to crime, economy, housing, human rights and transport. Each entry gives the title, the producing organisation, country, year, format and a short summary of findings. Campaigners and communicators use it to find tested messaging research before writing their own messages and narratives.
CurrentKey online resourceFree - 9.1C117
Smart Chart 4.0
An online planning tool from Spitfire Strategies for foundations and nonprofits. It takes a team through 6 steps to build a communications plan tied to the organisation's goals, covering objectives, audiences, messages and tactics. It is used online at smartchart.org, and a PDF version can be downloaded. Teams use it in planning sessions to test whether each communications choice supports the change they want.
Start hereCurrentTool or templateFree with sign-up
Related project ideas
Get expert help with communications and advocacy
Consulting and coaching projects built from 600+ real projects. Pick one, add your needs and hear from vetted consultants.
Impact messaging & key narrative development
“Different staff say completely different things about your work — your messaging is inconsistent, too technical, or so vague it could apply to anyone.”See project
Strategic and leadership communication
“Major organisational decisions are not landing internally or externally — messages are inconsistent, staff feel unclear, and leadership communication is creating confusion rather than alignment.”See project
All 12 Communications & messaging project ideas
Work with a consultant or coach
Nonprofit Builder members can browse vetted consultants and coaches who work on communications and advocacy, and invite them to a project.
Suggestion box
Something to fix or add here?
Know a better resource on this subject, found a broken link, or spotted a mistake in this record? Tell us.
About C115 A Guide to Hope-based Communications
A person reads every message. A title, a link or a few words is enough.