Nonprofit Leaders: Are You Missing Opportunities on LinkedIn?
Jun 26, 2025
In today’s fast-paced, digitally connected world, I believe posting on LinkedIn is essential when it comes to maximizing your nonprofit’s influence.
It’s not just about updates or announcements; it’s about leveraging your words to build trust, spark conversations, and mobilize support.
With this in mind, I recently surveyed nonprofit executive directors and CEOs to explore whether they were fully harnessing LinkedIn’s potential. Even with help from well-connected nonprofit peers, the participation was strikingly low. That lack of engagement itself is telling—and potentially risky.
Why Nonprofits Need to Treat Their Mission Like a Business
Nonprofits have a dual challenge: fulfilling a mission and staying financially viable. When leaders don’t write strategically on LinkedIn, they miss three critical opportunities:
- Attracting Board and Expert Talent
LinkedIn is a goldmine of professionals with marketing, fundraising, and operational expertise. Board members often come from these ranks—but only if they see your thought leadership and feel aligned with your story.
- Elevating Your Brand Through Storytelling
The nonprofit sector is crowded. Basic program updates pale in comparison to thoughtful stories of impact. When leaders write posts that spotlight real people, challenges, and outcomes (not just statistics), they humanize their mission and invite engagement.
- Positioning Yourself as a Thought Leader
When you reflect on sector trends, leadership insights, and lessons learned, your writing signals that you’re a voice others should respect. That influence opens doors to partnerships, speaking invitations, media coverage, and policy conversations.
So Why Aren’t Nonprofits Showing Up?
Your mission is noble, and your inbox is overflowing. But here’s why LinkedIn deserves your time:
|
Belief |
But… |
Reality |
|
“LinkedIn is only for job seekers.” |
You’re not seeking a job—you’re seeking partners. |
Reframe your presence: you’re sourcing board members, donors, and volunteers. |
|
“I don’t have time.” |
Five minutes a day can make a difference. |
Use scheduled posts, curated content, or repurpose your existing newsletter. |
|
“I don’t know how to start.” |
Neither did I, 20 years ago. |
Use your nonprofit’s story. Share your wins. Keep it authentic. |
With clarity, creativity, and consistency, you can build momentum. And once you’re on a roll, your board, donors, and peers will notice.
The Power of Thoughtful Writing
Here’s how writing builds influence and why nonprofit leaders need to capitalize on the opportunity:
- Every Word Shapes Your Brand
Whether it’s a LinkedIn post or a comment on someone else’s, your writing is a reflection of who you are and what your organization represents. Refined writing positions you as a credible leader and reinforces organizational integrity.
2. Strategic Storytelling Gets Results
Strong writing isn’t fluff—it’s fuel. Posts that take readers on a journey from challenge to breakthrough build emotional resonance. That narrative can lead to powerful collaborations and donations. The nonprofit isn’t just raising awareness—it’s offering a shared vision.
3. Influence Isn’t About Reach; It’s About Trust
Consistency wins. Regular, insightful writing builds trust and positions you as a reliable voice. That trust turns into board engagement, volunteer inquiries, and funding opportunities.
Your Next Move
If you’re an executive director, CEO, or nonprofit leader, ask yourself:
- Have I logged into LinkedIn in the past month?
- Do I post updates related to our mission and impact?
- Are we leveraging our networks to attract talent, board members, or funding?
If the answer to any of these is “not really,” now is a perfect time to change that.
Quick Writing Wins to Get Started
- Create a short series (e.g., Monday Insights or Impact Highlights) that shares mission-driven stories weekly.
- Write response posts to questions like, “How we improved volunteer retention by 25%.”
- Show your process, not just results: “We met with our board this week to discuss X—here’s what we learned.”
- Engage on the posts of peers and funders. Visibility leads to more visibility.
Here’s Your Chance to Unlock New Opportunities – For FREE
My mastermind coach recently challenged me to schedule 30 coffee chats to support people in my network.
If you’re a nonprofit executive with questions about LinkedIn—or just want to talk about showing up online with more confidence—grab one of those free coffee calls with me.
Also, I’ll ask you which books have influenced your career journey, or what summer reads are on your nightstand, so be ready! I’m making a list!
Book your coffee chat here.
