Blog
Insights and tips for the nonprofit world, generated through our work as a communications and strategy studio.
What is worth gathering for?
We don’t need to be in the same room to work together. So when is gathering worth the time, money, CO2, and effort? Covid settled
Getting to “yes” with grant applications
The strongest grant applications don’t just answer the questions on the form; they answer the questions funders are asking themselves. Drawing on experience from both
Learning is the comms profession’s first line of defence
In a fast-moving information environment, learning is no longer a nice-to-have for communications professionals. CPD gives communicators the structure, confidence and ethical grounding to stay
7 communications changes nonprofits can’t ignore in 2026
The communications landscape is becoming more algorithmic, fragmented and trust-driven. For nonprofits, foundations and social enterprises, success in 2026 will depend on more than visibility.
Summer reading for communicators
A thoughtful summer reading list for communicators who want sharper judgement, stronger influence and better ways to lead conversations. These six books explore confidence, facilitation,
Entrepreneurship is a toolbox for life
Entrepreneurship is not only about launching a business. It is a practical skill set for navigating uncertainty, recognising opportunity, communicating ideas and building momentum under
The “algorithmic media environment” and nonprofit communications
Platform algorithms and AI tools are reshaping how information travels, who gets heard and what audiences treat as credible. For nonprofits and international organisations, communications
Why we don’t offer unpaid internships (and what we do instead)
Unpaid internships are still treated as a standard route into nonprofit communications, but they often exclude talented people and undervalue the work itself. This blog
How to translate technical content for public audiences
Technical accuracy is not enough if people cannot use what you publish. Drawing on 10 recent NGO and UN calls for proposals, this blog explores
Make your annual report work harder
Too many NGOs treat the annual report as a compliance exercise and move on. The stronger approach is to use it as a strategic asset:
The hidden role of communications at your organisation’s retreat
Retreats are often judged by their agenda or facilitation, but the real difference-maker is usually communication. A clear strategic narrative, shared language and strong follow-through
Moving workshops from ‘conversation’ to ‘commitment’
Many workshops spark meaningful conversations but fail to translate into action. This blog explores how to design workshops and retreats that move beyond discussion: driving
Communications and fundraising can no longer sit in separate silos
Fundraising does not happen in isolation. Donors assess your organisation through every touchpoint, from your website to your leadership voice. This blog explores why aligning
Four habits to help you excel at any job
The habits you build early in your career can shape your professional trajectory for decades. Drawing on over 20 years of experience in the impact
How to prove that communications delivers
Proving the value of communications remains a challenge for many nonprofit teams, particularly when donor journeys are complex and non-linear. This article reframes communications as
Bogged down with jargon: Why even brilliant organisations struggle to explain what they do
Even the most thoughtful organisations can struggle to explain what they do. This piece looks at why jargon shows up in our work, how it
Critical success factors and assumptions: the hidden architecture of effective partnerships
What makes partnerships succeed beyond deliverables and KPIs? This article explores the role of critical success factors in effective collaboration, and how identifying them early
Sector specialism still matters in media relations
Strong media relations are not built on contacts alone. Sector expertise, story judgement and audience understanding are what turn programmes into meaningful coverage.
Judgement is the new premium
As AI accelerates content production, the real value in communications is shifting. Human judgement, not output, is what drives trust, ethics and meaningful outcomes.
Earned media for nonprofits: a how-to guide
Earned media can transform how nonprofits build credibility, attract partners and reach new audiences. Learn what earned media is, why it works and how to
The three essential (new!) questions to ask when writing a comms strategy
Are your communications efforts creating real impact or simply producing more content? In this practical guide, we share three essential new questions to ask when
40,000 hours later: how to scope comms work, budget ethically and protect your team
What does 40,000 hours of communications work reveal? Six years of time-tracking data helped us scope projects more realistically, budget ethically, avoid overservicing, and protect
Invisible impact: why routine tasks still matter in 2026
Invisible work – from timely invoicing to newsletter edits – fuels team performance yet often goes unnoticed. As AI tools automate these tasks, organisations risk
Scaling the Leader: How NGO founders can grow their impact without burning out
As NGOs grow, founder-led models can become bottlenecks rather than strengths. This article explores how NGO founders can scale their leadership, protect their energy, and
Five Simple Ways to Improve Your Organisation’s Website Performance
Your website is often the first place donors, partners, and supporters meet your organization. Small, thoughtful improvements to navigation, storytelling, SEO, calls to action, and
Why communications strategies often start with tension
Communications strategies aren’t built on harmony alone. Real alignment often begins by surfacing tension, disagreement, and competing priorities and working through them deliberately.
Getting into advocacy work: advice for career starters
Not everyone plans a career in advocacy. For many, it starts with frustration, action, and learning by doing. This piece offers practical, honest advice for
The secret superpower: how project management enables us to deliver top quality comms for nonprofits
Even the strongest communications strategies rely on good coordination. We share how project management underpins quality, momentum and collaboration in nonprofit communications.
Turning Pages: Our 2025 book and film recommendations
As 2025 comes to a close, the AMS team reflects on the books and films that stayed with us throughout the year. From communications and
7 Things We Have (Re)Learned in 2025
A look at the seven themes our readers returned to most in 2025. From kindness in leadership to clearer communications and stronger partnerships, these lessons
The Power of Testimonials
Testimonials build trust and show real impact. For nonprofits, they’re a simple but powerful way to inspire donations and support.
The Power of Research Skills in PR
Research skills in PR turn data into strategy. From audience insights to media analysis, strong research lays the foundation for impactful communication.
NGOs are talking to everyone and no-one
One of the most common reasons nonprofit communications underperform is a lack of audience clarity. Our Digital Communications Audits show how vague targeting leads to
Human copywriting annoys AI and vice versa: our AI’s rebuttal to our list of its copywriting ‘tells’
Our team compiled a list of AI’s most cringe-worthy copywriting “tells” — then let our AI read it. The result? A sharp, funny and surprisingly
Kindness is more than a ‘Nice-to-Have’
“Kindness” can sound like a vague value stuck on a poster, or something to practice on the weekends. But what if we’ve been underestimating its
How to Make Sure Your Comms Agency Partnership Goes Right: Five Things Our Clients Do Really Well
What Makes a Great Comms Partnership?
Meaningful collaboration leads to powerful results. This post shares five ways nonprofit partners set projects up for success
Three Weeks at AMS: What I’ve Learned and How I’m Making Life Easier For Our Clients
Joining AMS was full of firsts: my first time juggling such varied tasks. In just a few weeks, I’ve learned how essential our behind-the-scenes work
FREELANCE OPPORTUNITY: Fundraising Specialist – Digital Marketing Ar/Eng based in Doha (Qatar) – July/August 2025
AMS Consultancy’s Media Agency is seeking a Media Relations Consultant with proven media contacts in Pakistan and other parts of the Asia region, to join
Where Should You Start Your Impact Career? A Cheat Sheet To Help You Decide
A practical guide for choosing your impact career path — from diplomacy to startups.
5 Common Facilitation Mistakes—and How to Avoid Them with Confidence
Even the most experienced facilitators can fall into a few common traps. In this blog, we unpack five common facilitation mistakes and how to avoid
The Power of a Plan
Discover how NGOs are turning big visions into one-page strategic plans that drive action, alignment, and clarity, even in high-pressure environments.
FREELANCE OPPORTUNITY: Asia Media Relations Consultant based in Doha (Qatar) – June 2025
AMS Consultancy’s Media Agency is seeking a Media Relations Consultant with proven media contacts in Pakistan and other parts of the Asia region, to join
When the ground fell away: What I learned from closing my organisation in a funding crisis
I had to close the social enterprise I founded, during Lebanon’s economic collapse and the first wave of COVID. We had impact. We had traction.
Women Are Already Leading Civil Society. The Question Is Whether We’re Willing to Notice.
Across civil society, women are already leading — in classrooms, in communities, and in the systems that hold us together. The challenge is not whether
Sales pitching materials
This post is to share extra resources for participants at Forward Inc’s Digital Entrepreneurship Program in March 2026.
AMS Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct sets out how we pursue the pillars of Ethics, Sustainability and Inclusion throughout our work.
Generative AI usage policy
Generative AI (Gen AI) is transforming communications and modern workplaces. Like most teams, AMS is cautiously exploring the potential of Gen AI to facilitate and
Our “Why”
All about the impact targets that keep us accountable and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Has Social Media Became Our Frenemy? Unpacking the Social Media “Trap”
Diving deep into the intricate relationship we share with social media platforms.
