Nonprofit organizations play a crucial role in our society, addressing some of the most pressing social and environmental issues that we face. However, in order to create real impact, it's not enough to just support a "good" cause—nonprofits need to have a strong community, powerful storytelling and a clear strategy to drive engagement and value for all stakeholders.

Community development is an essential component of nonprofit success. A robust community of supporters can provide vital resources to an organization, such as volunteers, donations and advocacy. Building a community starts with identifying and articulating your nonprofit's vision and values and then understanding who and where thought synergies exist for these values.

Oftentimes, we forget that being "social" can also happen offline. Building community through in-person events is still one of the most effective ways to discover and build authentic connections. Events can range from fundraising galas to volunteer days to awareness campaigns—or even happy hours. By creating events that are engaging and allow for connections to strengthen, nonprofits can build relationships with their supporters and create a sense of community. Events can also be a great way to attract new supporters and build awareness around an organization's mission.

Storytelling is arguably the most powerful tool for nonprofits to communicate their mission and impact. Effective storytelling can inspire and motivate people to get involved. The key to effective storytelling is to create a clear and compelling narrative that the audience connects with on an emotional level.

Community building and impactful storytelling don't just happen naturally. Both require strategic planning, well-timed initiatives and optimized processes. Through strategy management and storytelling, nonprofit organizations can create a more valuable and workable plan, creating a higher likelihood of success. Organizations should ensure they are properly tracking and measuring their strategies and be transparent with their team on their progress.

Read the full article about nonprofits driving value by Nick Lynch at Forbes.