How to Structure a Nonprofit Marketing Dream Team

Nonprofit marketing teams are essential in our rapidly evolving business world. They amplify the voice of organizations committed to making a difference.

With the right structure, these teams can effectively communicate their mission and drive impactful change. This process requires strategic thinking and a deep understanding of the nonprofit's unique goals. We've learned this firsthand while growing our own marketing agency, GrantSpark.

But first, let's talk about the Nonprofit Marketing department structures you have to choose from.

Structuring Nonprofit Marketing Department

There are two main types of department structures based on company size and resources.

• Nonprofit Marketing department structure by discipline
  • Org Type: Traditional corporate departments
  • Best For: Midsize/Enterprise companies
• Nonprofit Marketing department structure by function
  • Org Type: Employees are grouped by activities and objectives
  • Best For: Small to Medium Sized Business (SMB)

Let’s go in-depth to each one of them.

1. Nonprofit Marketing Department Structure by Discipline

Discipline-based structure involves building teams centered around various marketing disciplines. For example, SEO, Content, Market Research, and Product Strategy could each form separate teams within a department.

Discipline	Key Skills	Potential Roles
Content	Copywriting, SEO, Content Strategy, Social Media Management, Video Editing	Content Manager, Copywriter, Social Media Coordinator
Design	Graphic Design, UX/UI Design, Adobe Creative Suite, Branding	Graphic Designer, UX/UI Designer, Art Director
Public Relations	Media Relations, Crisis Management, Event Planning, Press Release Writing	PR Manager, Communication Specialist, Event Coordinator
Direct Marketing	Direct Mail Campaigns, Email Marketing, CRM, Data Analysis	Direct Marketing Manager, Email Marketing Specialist, CRM Analyst
Digital	SEO, SEM, Social Media Advertising, Google Analytics	Digital Marketing Manager, SEO Specialist, SEM Specialist
Strategy	Strategic Planning, Market Research, Brand Development, Analytics	Marketing Strategist, Brand Manager, Market Research Analyst
Website	Website Development, UX/UI Design, SEO, Analytics	Web Developer, Website Manager, SEO Specialist
Social Media	Social Media Strategy, Content Creation, Community Engagement, Analytics	Social Media Manager, Community Manager, Content Creator

2. Nonprofit Marketing Department Structure by Function

Another approach is structuring by function, where teams are formed based on the different functions they perform. For example, promotion, launches, and relationship management could all be separate teams.

Function	Key Skills	Potential Roles
Fundraising	Donor Relations, Grant Writing, Event Planning, Budgeting	Fundraising Manager, Donor Relations Officer, Grant Writer
Volunteer Management	Recruitment, Training & Development, Communication, Leadership	Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer Recruitment Officer
Community Engagement	Public Speaking, Relationship Building, Event Management, Social Media Engagement	Community Outreach Coordinator, Community Engagement Specialist
Partnership Development	Partnership Building, Negotiation, Collaboration, Relationship Management	Partnership Manager, Corporate Partnership Coordinator
Program Management	Program Development, Project Management, Strategic Planning, Evaluation	Program Manager, Project Coordinator
Advocacy	Policy Understanding, Public Speaking, Campaign Management, Social Media Advocacy	Advocacy Coordinator, Policy Advocate

Nonprofit Marketing Team Size versus Business Scale

To achieve successful marketing outcomes, you need to align the team size with your business's scale – a strategic approach that helps optimize resources and drive targeted growth.

Business Scale	Ideal Department Size	Explanation
Start-up	1-3	Minimize costs, focus on establishing brand.
Small-Medium Business	4-8	Increased workload, need for diverse skills.
Large Enterprise	9+	Higher demand, manage large-scale campaigns.

Factors to Consider When Deciding On a Nonprofit Marketing Department Structure

1. Team Skills: Consider the skills needed to accomplish your marketing goals. This includes content creation, social media management, event planning, fundraising, and more. Having a team with diverse talents will allow you to tackle various marketing challenges.
2. Budget Constraints: Nonprofits often operate on limited budgets. It's important to structure your marketing team in a way that maximizes every dollar spent. This might involve hiring multi-skilled staff or outsourcing certain tasks to volunteers or freelancers.
3. Organizational Goals: The structure of your marketing team should align with your organization's overall goals. If your nonprofit is focused on public advocacy, for instance, you may need more PR specialists. If donor engagement is a priority, experts in relationship management would be crucial.
4. Available Technology: The technology you have at your disposal can significantly influence your team structure. For instance, with advanced marketing automation tools, you may need fewer personnel for certain tasks. Understand your tech resources and use them to shape your team.
5. Flexibility: In the dynamic world of nonprofit marketing, being able to adapt to change is key. Build a team structure that can quickly pivot strategies as per market trends, donor behaviors, or changes in the nonprofit sector.

Explore other marketing departments:

• Email Marketing Team Structure
• Graphic Design Team Structure
• Market Research Team Structure

So, there you have it, a detailed overview of a Nonprofit Marketing team structure. From the essence of the team and key roles, to structuring and optimizing; every aspect tailored to achieve success on your business blueprint.