COMM 496 Senior Sem: "Answering The Cries of Newborns," - Assisting Newborns In Need With...

“Answering The Cries Of Newborns,” - Assisting Newborns In Need With

Communication And Outreach

Marisa Schmidt

Purpose of Project• Newborns In Need is a national organization that’s dedicated to

answering the cries of poverty from families who have children from newborn to 4 years. The Newborns In Need Chapter of Springfield, Missouri is one of the largest chapters in the nation. When mothers and other surrounding agencies arrive at Newborns In Need, they are given clothes and other accessories to assist mothers and improve children’s lives. What makes Newborns In Need unique from other organizations is that 75% of the items that leave Newborns In Need are made from fabric scraps and yarn, handcrafted in love and selflessness. To further emphasize the purpose of the project, Newborns In Need is continually in need of infant donations to return back to families and agencies throughout Springfield and surrounding counties. This project will address the needs of donations through social media management, grant writing, and implementation of a quarterly newsletter.

Client• Newborns In Need of Springfield, MO• As one of the biggest chapters in the U.S., Newborns

in Need of Springfield, MO is continually in need of donations, whether they are craft items to create baby items or baby items themselves.

• Newborns In Need accepts items such as fabrics, yarns, baby clothes, blankets, toiletries, ribbon, elastic, and other baby or craft items.

Timeline

Timeline• Client meetings took place every other week

to review results of social media efforts, brainstorm ideas for newsletter, discuss grant opportunities, and more.

Timeline• Execution of deliverables calendar– Social Media Posts: September 15, September 19,

September 20, September 22, September 23, September 26, September 29, October 6, October 27.

– Quarterly Newsletter: October 1– Junior League of Springfield Concept Note:

October 7– Binnie Clements Guild Grant: October 30

Research• Research was conducted to improve content and engagement on Newborns

In Need’s Facebook page, create meaningful content for quarterly newsletters, and enhance grant writing skills. All three of these research objectives were also aimed to achieve writing that conveyed a sense of urgency and need within the organization.

• Research was also conducted to learn more about the national and local organizatons, historically.

• Sources used:– AdWeek (for writing social media content specific to nonprofits)– BuffApp (for stats regarding Facebook engagement)– Nonprofit Hub (for grant-writing resources)– MailChimp (for engagement tips on newsletter writing)– The Grantsmanship Center (for enhancing authentic grant-writing)– newbornsinneedspringfield.org (for seeing history of Newborns In Need)– Social Media Audit

Deliverables• Deliverables– Social Media• #SleeperSaturday posts (3)• #NewbornNewsday posts (9)• Newsletter (1)• JLF Grant (Concept Note for programs associated with

at-risk mothers and pregnant women) (1)• Binnie Clements Guild Grant (Concept Note for

programs that help improve children’s lives in the Springfield area) (1)

• Social Media• #SleeperSaturday posts (3)• #NewbornNewsday (6)

• Newsletter• Fall Quarterly Newsletter (1)

• JLS Grant• Concept Letter (1)

• Binnie Clements Grant• Concept Letter (1)

Outline of Deliverables

#NewbornNewsday #1

#SleeperSaturday #1

#NewbornNewsday #2

#SleeperSaturday #1

#NewbornNewsday #4

#SleeperSaturday 3

#SleeperSaturday #5

#NewbornNewsday #6

#SleeperSaturday #7

JLS Concept Note for Grant

Binnie Clements Guild Grant Concept Letter

Quarterly Fall Newsletter

Moving Forward• Analytics from social media postings will help the organization narrow

down what Facebook users engage with continually to craft further messages.

• The newsletter will go out quarterly to remind people of volunteer and donation opportunities, educate recipients of recent news at the organization, and thank donors.

• The Binnie Clements Grant was due October 31. Grant awards will be announced mid-November. If the grant money is awarded, Newborns In Need will manufacture 700 Boppy Pillows for children and mothers in the Springfield area.

• The Junior League of Springfield Grant is due Monday, February 16. If Newborns In Need is awarded this grant opportunity, Junior League of Springfield will be assisting Newborns In Need with three new programs.

Moving Forward• Because the experience working with

Newborns In Need has been so rewarding and meaningful, I am collaborating on an updated website for the organization. The project will take place over Christmas Break and the website will go live by the beginning of February.

“Answering The Cries Of Newborns,” - Assisting Newborns In Need With

Communication And Outreach

Marisa Schmidt

Questions?