Insights

Thoughts and expertise on strategy, branding, and donor engagement across the urban and international community development landscape.

Connect People To Strengthen Your Organization

By Todd Hiestand

Belonging is a fundamental human need. As nonprofit leaders, you have the opportunity to cultivate a community around that feeling. By hosting in-person and virtual get-togethers, you can create a space where people feel valued, neighbors get to know each other, and people find commonalities, even if they’re an ocean apart. To plan an event…

Read More

Own the Complexity, Pass On the Clarity

By Todd Hiestand

At Liminal, one phrase that guides our work with nonprofits is, “Own the complexity and pass on clarity.” This phrase makes us think of a reporter pouring over months of research the week before her publishing deadline. She has to make sense of hours of interviews with three experts, a counterpoint from a local city…

Read More

Does your organization start with “why?”

By Bill Cummings

For the next week, place a post-it note in your workspace. Stick it somewhere prominent, where you’ll notice it before taking calls or writing your newsletter. On that note, write in bold letters your organization’s why. Nonprofit leaders think about their why a lot and may even have it down to a snappy sentence or…

Read More

Never Miss an Insight

Five Strategies for Sustaining and Scaling Your Nonprofit Mission

By Bill Cummings

As you have stepped into a new year filled with new possibilities, we want you to know that we see you. We see you juggling responsibilities and wearing hats you never thought you’d need to wear. We see you putting in long hours and fighting emotional fatigue, still feeling like you may not be doing…

Read More

Making the Most of the Giving Season: Year-End Fundraising Tips

By Bill Cummings

As the year draws to a close, nonprofit leaders face a crucial window of opportunity for fundraising. As you know, the final two months are pivotal; many individuals are looking to make end-of-year donations for tax purposes or simply to feel more generous during the holiday season. To capitalize on this season of giving, there…

Read More

From Sympathy to Support: Inspiring Passionate Donations

By Todd Hiestand

At Liminal, we champion the idea that messaging clarity, impeccable design, modern logos, contemporary colors, and typography all converge to position nonprofit organizations in the best light. The unfortunate reality is that while many organizations do incredible work on the ground—with exemplary staff and programs that create tangible impact—their branding and online presence often don’t…

Read More

Do The People You Serve Have A Seat At The Table?

By Bill Cummings

Nonprofits often function with the noblest intentions, aiming to create impactful change in their communities. But an important question should be carefully considered: Are the very people you serve actively involved in decisions that will directly impact their lives? Including representatives from the community isn’t just about optics or being politically correct—it’s about holistic, sustainable…

Read More

An Open Letter to Nonprofit Leaders

By Todd Hiestand

Dear Nonprofit Leaders, We see you. We see you juggling responsibilities and wearing hats you never thought you’d need to wear. We see you putting in long hours and fighting through emotional fatigue, all to feel like you still may not be doing enough. And we know that in spite of it all, you’re showing…

Read More

Amplify Your Mission: Why Effective Branding Is Crucial for Nonprofits

By Bill Cummings

Is your branding and messaging as compelling as your mission? The work your nonprofit does day in and day out is crucial to the communities and lives that you change. But being devoted to your cause means that some things inevitably get sidelined. We know from our work with nonprofit leaders that when your work…

Read More

Yes, You Do Need That Rebranding Project: Why a Cohesive Brand Yields Growth

By Bill Cummings

We believe that nonprofit organizations drive hope and positive change in our world. Especially for organizations working with people in urban communities and developing countries, their missions are fueled by passion and the unwavering desire to make a difference in their communities. However, even with the noblest intentions, many nonprofits struggle to connect deeply with…

Read More

Beyond Stereotypes: Ethical Storytelling in Social Impact Organizations

By Todd Hiestand

One of the many joys of creating brand strategies for the social impact organizations we work with is getting to know the heroes of their stories — the people they serve. It is a privilege to share incredible stories of strength and resilience. When creating content for organizations, there’s a principle we use to anchor…

Read More

Celebrating Growth and New Additions at Liminal Creative

By Bill Cummings

In January, we (Bill and Todd) merged our consulting businesses and launched the new Liminal Creative. The last 12 months have been a wild ride. We have served incredible clients by coming alongside them in their rebranding, website redesign, naming, key messaging, annual reports, copywriting, graphic design, storytelling, communications, and fundraising strategies. We have grown…

Read More