Pivot: The Avocado Toast of Nonprofit Comms Lingo

So this weekend I attempted to go hiking with my sister. We were hyped. The weather was giving rainy but joyful, the trail looked scenic but challenging, and we were both ready to move our bodies and pretend we do this often. Except baby girl, (in a VERY CUTE outfit might I add) showed up in spiky platform open-toed shoes. Not trail shoes. Not sneakers. Not even Crocs with ambition. We didn’t make it far. A few steps in, we realized the hike was not happening. It wasn’t safe. It wasn’t smart. And her toes deserved better. We rescheduled. We’re trying again this weekend, with some friends… with proper shoes. That moment keeps coming back to me because honestly, it’s how I feel every time someone in nonprofit communications says “pivot.” If I hear the word ‘pivot’ one more time, I might scream into my crashed Adobe files. The nonprofit creative space is obsessed with agility. And I get it, yes change is constant, especially in our line of work. But what if all this constant pivoting isn’t actually a sign of innovation but a sign that we’re rushing into the mountain with the wrong shoes? “Pivot” has become the avocado toast of nonprofit comms lingo. It was fresh once, now it’s just trending noise. I wondered, are we trying to make the chaos sound digestible? So I decided to explore…. What Are We Actually Doing When We Pivot? People love to throw the word around like it’s the fix. The strategy didn’t land? Pivot. Donors aren’t biting? Pivot. Leadership changed their mind again for the 400,894,482,728th time? Pivot. I don’t see this as a true strategic shift but a reaction. We’re spinning and performing flexibility while drowning in exhaustion. Pivoting, when done right, is intentional. It is not code for “hurry up and change direction without time to think, process, or breathe.” Nobody talks about the mental part…. The shift that happens before the campaign changes, before the rebrand, before the new comms plan. What about the thoughts that scream, “this isn’t aligned anymore”?. We’re burning ourselves out trying to be responsive to everything and committed to nothing. Can we just take a second to think? That voice is the real pivot and we ignore it all the time because nonprofit culture rewards movement, not stillness. Sometimes in order to progress, you have to process. Can I get an “amen”? Quite frankly, the best creative decisions I’ve ever made didn’t come from an adrenaline rush but after a pause. Let’s actually, finally, and with audacity (or as I like to say… VIM) pause and ask: Who are we centering? What is this really about? Is the work honest or just reactive? Not Every Mountain Needs Climbing Right Now Just like that hike with my sister, sometimes you have to admit you’re not ready to climb yet because you’re not equipped and pushing forward just to prove something could actually be a step backward. Adaptability is not a badge of honor. Sometimes, the wisest move is turning around, regrouping, and returning with the right tools and shoes. And so the rhythm changes… I’m not anti-pivot. I’m just pro-intention. So here’s what I think can be a great fix: (How’d I do with the alliteration 😉 This is the kind of pivot I want to see in our space. One that doesn’t glorify speed over sense. One that respects the weight of our work because baby… it’s heavy. If you don’t have the capacity, reschedule the hike and come back when you’re ready to climb. -Sosa

Design Is Power: How Branding Empowers Women and What Organizations Can Do About It

Let’s talk about design. Not just the kind that looks good, but the kind that moves people and shifts culture. The kind that helps women own their voice, show up with confidence, and take up space that was always theirs to begin with. At IconiQ, we believe branding is more than aesthetics. It is a tool for empowerment. When done well, design becomes a form of advocacy. It amplifies voices, builds trust, and challenges outdated ideas about who belongs in the spotlight. Why Branding Matters in the Work of Empowerment 1. Visibility builds credibilityWhen women-led businesses, nonprofits, or movements show up with intentional and professional branding, people take notice. A strong brand says, “We are here, and we mean business.” It shapes how others perceive you and how you perceive yourself. 2. Storytelling creates connectionDesign helps turn lived experience into brand narrative. And women have powerful stories to tell. Stories of resilience, innovation, leadership, healing, and impact. When these stories are woven into branding, they create connection. They remind people what is possible. 3. Identity builds confidenceWe have seen it happen again and again. When women get clear on who they are and how they want to show up in the world, their confidence grows. Branding gives that clarity form. It becomes a foundation for how they lead, speak, and serve. 4. Representation inspires actionWhen women see others who look like them reflected in a brand, it sends a message. You belong. You are seen. You are capable. Representation is not just about inspiration. It drives action. It invites more women to dream and lead. What Organizations Can Do to Support the Work Empowerment is not a solo journey. It takes community, resources, and intention. Here are five ways organizations can be part of the solution: Hire women-led creative teamsSupport women designers, strategists, storytellers, photographers, and developers. Not just during Women’s History Month. All year long. Give them space to lead and shape your message. Build campaigns that center real womenWhether it is a nonprofit initiative or a product launch, make sure women are part of the story. Invite them to the table from the beginning. Let their perspectives guide the process. Design for inclusivity and accessibilityUse clear language. Avoid gatekeeping jargon. Make sure your visuals and content welcome women of all backgrounds, abilities, and identities. Partner with women-owned brandsCollaboration builds momentum. Whether through events, campaigns, or co-branded content, partnerships with women-led brands can amplify impact and expand reach. Reflect the full spectrum of womanhoodLet go of one-dimensional ideas of what women look like, act like, or care about. Show the diversity and complexity of real women. Celebrate it in your branding, your visuals, and your message. Final Thoughts Empowerment is not a trend. It is a responsibility. It is about creating systems and stories that make room for women to lead, build, and thrive. Branding is one of the most powerful tools we have to do that. Design is not decoration. It is a declaration. It is how we show up, speak up, and shape culture. If you are building something that matters, and you want your brand to reflect that purpose, we are here to help. Let’s co-create something that empowers women and drives real change.

Overwhelmed Nonprofit Communicators: Here’s How to Love Your Job Again

Have we been lied to? Is this really the dream job we imagined, or just another burnout cycle wrapped in mission-driven guilt? If you’re a nonprofit communicator, you know the drill. One minute you’re crafting a powerful story that could change lives, the next you’re drowning in social media posts, donor emails, last-minute “urgent” requests, and a never-ending to-do list. You love the cause, but it’s exhausting! So, how do you find your way back? How do you stop feeling like a content machine and start feeling human again? Let’s talk about it: 1. What Made You Care in the First Place? Somewhere in the mess of deadlines and Slack notifications, you lost it; that spark that made you want to do this work. Maybe it was a story that moved you. A donor who surprised you. A moment where you saw firsthand how words create change. Reconnect with that. Re-read an old impact report, scroll back to a campaign you were proud of, or better yet, talk to someone your work has helped. Your job is more than metrics and more about impact. Don’t ever forget that. 2. Set Boundaries (Like, for Real) You’re not a 24/7 crisis response team. Not every email needs a same-day reply. Not every “quick update” should derail your entire afternoon. If your job feels unsustainable, it probably is. Start protecting your time: Block focus hours, turn off notifications, and stop saying yes to things that shouldn’t be on your plate. If leadership doesn’t get it, show them the data. Your best work happens when you’re not running on empty. 3. Stop Doing Everything Manually Why are you still writing the same email from scratch every week? Why are you scrambling for last-minute social posts? If you haven’t embraced automation, templates, and AI tools yet, it’s time. Work smarter, not harder. Set up email sequences. Batch-create content. Schedule things in advance. The less time you spend on repetitive tasks, the more time you have for strategy and creativity. 4. Find (or Build) Your Crew Being a nonprofit communicator can be lonely, especially if your team is small or nonexistent. You need a support system. Find your people—whether it’s a Slack community, a monthly check-in with peers, or even a WhatsApp group where you can vent and swap ideas. Talking to people who get it makes all the difference. 5. Push Back on the Unreasonable Let’s be honest: many nonprofit communicators are expected to work miracles on zero budget, with no team, and little institutional support. It’s not you, it’s the system. And while you can’t fix everything, you can start advocating for yourself. Track your workload. Show leadership the actual scope of what you do. Make the case for more resources. Your role is critical, and it deserves investment. 6. Make Space for Creativity Again You can’t create great work if you’re constantly in execution mode. Creativity needs space to breathe. So step back. Go for a walk. Read something inspiring. Listen to music that makes you feel something. When’s the last time you enjoyed your work? When you can’t find joy in the grind, you will have to make room for it. 7. You Are Not Your Job Two things can actually be true. You can care deeply about the mission and still feel overwhelmed. You can love storytelling and still need a break. This work is important, but so are you. Set boundaries. Find balance. If you’ve lost the love for what you do, don’t settle for burnout. Actually do something about it. You deserve to enjoy your work again.