Embracing Proactive Nonprofit Outreach
Investing in Outreach early is a proactive approach to program success at any nonprofit, yet this is often overlooked. At the same time we all know that while Outreach can be a greatly rewarding role at the personal and organizational level, it comes with a lot of challenges.
Thus, with this lens let’s take a deeper dive into these challenges to better understand the various techniques and solutions we have available. Frankly, Outreach roles should not be seen as merely an optional tool to bring programs to vulnerable populations; instead should be leveraged to maximize your programs impact.
The Journey
Embarking on the journey of community service, one quickly realizes that Outreach is not merely a profession—it's a calling ingrained in the very fabric of those committed to making a difference in our communities.
In this realm, expertise isn't a prerequisite; what truly matters is the hunger for learning, development, and an unwavering love for the population served. As we dig deeper into the intricacies of nonprofit outreach, we rediscover a collective success that thrives on sincerity, empathy, patience, drive, and resilience.
In our journey for impactful outreach, inspiration strikes from unexpected places. A noteworthy illustration is found in the insights of Chris Voss’ book, a former FBI negotiator celebrated for his expertise in resolving kidnapping and bank robbery cases. His powerful teachings of intense listening, mirroring, and empathy can also be applied to our Outreach work when working in disenfranchised communities and other vulnerable populations.
In short, effective Outreach Professionals must possess a few or all of these characteristics:
emotional intelligence,
social skills,
intuition, and
patience.
In many organizations Outreach is often an underestimated role or seen as an optional and secondary role in nonprofit operations. Acquiring skills on the Outreach journey is crucial, and yet, outreach is sometimes viewed as a position that anyone can fill without proper training. The responsibilities extend beyond mere sociability.
Regrettably, the underestimated attention given to Outreach roles can truly be seen in the numbers. For example, according to Indeed data, in California, the average base pay for an Outreach worker is $22.8 per hour, and $13.10 per hour in Missouri.
However, some people will continue to argue that Outreach is an entry level role, when on the contrary, as we stated above, ultimately the individual serves as the face of the organization. Therefore we ask, how much do we value the true representation of our brand?
Salary disparities for Outreach Professionals are also influenced by the cost of living or local demand. Some organizations even require proficiency in a second language, but the pay may not adequately reflect compensation for this additional skill set. Let’s highlight the importance of breaking down language barriers, because the premise of nonprofits services is to meet populations in their current state, or to "meet people where they are at."
Additional key characteristics of this role include navigating the sociological complexities of working with diverse communities. Outreach Professionals must engage in careful interactions with various stakeholders, ranging from community residents and politicians to business representatives, shaping the public perception of the organization.
Outreach Professionals dedicate significant time to cultivating connections within the community, fostering trust, and understanding the unique needs of the populations they serve.
How to Empower Your Outreach Staff?
As an employer, you could nurture the skills of your Outreach staff by providing professional development opportunities in fields such as social work or public administration. This would enhance their effectiveness in community engagement.
Our call to action is to encourage organizations to empower Outreach Professionals. In the world of community outreach, success is a team effort, grounded in the values of a dedicated and empathetic team – not just those in the field but also empathy that resonates within the organization.
Despite external challenges, outreach professionals embody the entire community within themselves. Their adaptability to various social settings and the ability to flow within their traits define their impact. Outreach, though often misunderstood, is a method that transcends personality traits – it's a call to bring positive change to someone else's life.
We propose strategies for success in Outreach practices within any nonprofit. Our toolkits house a plethora of easy-to-implement outreach strategies, emphasizing the importance of intentionality in producing measurable results. The outreach position extends beyond networking; it demands tangible outcomes for effective grant reporting.
Below is a snapshot of our methodology for general reference, but detailed guidelines can be found in our Discovering Neighborhoods toolkits.
Conclusion
When defining your outreach, contemplate why "typical outreach" falls short. We recognize that it begins with the individual—the Outreach Professional. Beyond basic concepts and general techniques, Outreach is profoundly personal, shaped by who we are and how much we care for the mission.
Our personalities dictate the tone of our outreach, underscoring the fundamental truth that our beliefs and actions are intertwined. It is therefore imperative for employers to harness the innate gift of these individuals and provide them with the proper tools to excel in their roles.
As we conclude, let us embrace the challenges that define outreach work. It's a testing ground for patience, a teacher that urges us to control our beliefs and actions. Ultimately, the heart of nonprofit outreach lies in the hands of those who dare to be different, who embrace the challenges, and who persist in creating positive change—one outreach at a time.
© 2024 OptStrategies LLC.
