Community Foundation to Host Social Media Training for Nonprofits

ALPENA – The Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) is providing three different opportunities this month for social media training specifically geared toward nonprofit organizations.

“In today's digital world, if a nonprofit doesn't have an active presence on social media, then they are missing out on new relationships, potential volunteers and donors, and an entire audience who wants to get involved and support their mission,” said Christine Hitch, CFNEM’s Marketing Communications Director. “What we have heard from the nonprofits we support is that many of them need some training to help them market themselves on Facebook and other social media channels.”

To facilitate the training events, CFNEM is bringing Social Media Association of Michigan founder and president, Sola Obayan, to northeast Michigan.  Obayan is also the lead consultant of the Detroit-based BTO solutions. Her work has been featured in media outlets such as Fast Company, Women 2.0, Xconomy, and WXYZ Channel 7.

“We are thrilled to be able to bring someone with these credentials as a resource for our local nonprofits,” said CFNEM Executive Director, Patrick Heraghty. “We truly hope her experience with digital marketing in the charitable sector will be beneficial to those who attend, and make social media marketing feel accessible and non-intimidating, regardless of their current level of social media expertise.”

Three opportunities for trainings will be held this month. On Wednesday, August 30, a three-hour morning session is being offered for those who are new or fairly new to social media and social media marketing. A three-hour afternoon session is being offered for intermediate and advanced social media users. Both trainings on August 30 will be held at the Alpena County Library.

On Thursday, August 31, a four-hour morning session for all levels of expertise will be held in Tawas City at the Iosco Regional Educational Service Agency.

“CFNEM has a huge service area, covering nine counties,” said Heraghty. “Our hope is that by providing two days of sessions in two locations we can get as many organizations as we can from northeast Michigan, and even its outlying communities to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Hitch says the idea to host these social media trainings came after CFNEM’s 2016 Giving Tuesday Northeast Michigan event last November.

“Giving events like Giving Tuesday and crowd-sourced fundraising are largely based on social media and online communications,” said Hitch. “We want to make sure that northeast Michigan’s nonprofits have the tools and knowledge they need to reach new audiences and make a real impact for their organizations through online marketing, whether they are paid staff of the organization or volunteers.”

Pre-registration for these trainings is required. The cost to attend is $10, but increases to $20 for registrations received after August 23^rd. Those interested in attending can register at www.cfnem.org or by calling the Community Foundation office at 989-354-6881. A full breakdown of topics covered at each session can also be found on CFNEM’s website.

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