Strategy That Moves

Strategic insights for nonprofits, small businesses, and solopreneurs

Insights & Trends

The first nine months of 2025 brought major shifts that every nonprofit, solopreneur, and small business leader should note:

• Entrepreneurship Momentum

  • Fact: Entrepreneurship momentum remains high. Over 5.2 million new U.S. business applications were filed in 2024, following a record high in 2023, and 2025 is on pace to continue this high volume. The marketplace is more crowded—clarity of positioning isn't optional.

    • Source: U.S. Business Applications Slowed in 2024 | Start in Wyoming (citing U.S. Census Bureau data).

  • P3C Insight: With over 5.2 million new businesses launched in 2024 alone, standing out requires more than showing up. It demands clarity about who you serve, what problem you solve, and why it matters. If your messaging is vague or trying to appeal to everyone, you're invisible.

• Women of Color Leading Growth

  • Fact: Black women remain the fastest-growing demographic of entrepreneurs in the U.S. Strategies must reflect their voices and address the disproportionate financial headwinds they face.

    • Source: Black Women Entrepreneurs: Growth and Headwinds | J.P. Morgan.

  • P3C Insight: Black women are leading entrepreneurial growth, yet they face systemic barriers that generic marketing ignores. Culturally relevant strategy isn't a nice-to-have anymore. It's how you connect authentically and build trust with the communities driving real change.

• Nonprofits Under Pressure

  • Fact: Nonprofits are under significant pressure. Key concerns entering 2025 included a high percentage of organizations expecting rising program demand (85%) and one-third reporting an operating deficit (36%) in the prior year. The emphasis on organizational clarity is critical for long-term survival.

    • Source: Key Findings from the 2025 State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey | Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF).

  • P3C Insight: With 85% of nonprofits expecting rising demand and over a third running deficits, every dollar and every decision counts. This isn't the time for scattered tactics or campaigns built on hope. Strategic clarity around your audience, message, and impact isn't optional. It's survival.

• AI Adoption Tipping Point

  • Fact: AI adoption has reached a tipping point, with the differentiator being alignment, not just tools. Mid-2025 surveys show that up to 68% of small businesses are using AI regularly, and interest among nonprofits is extremely high, with 85% of nonprofit professionals expressing high interest in AI tools.

    • Source (Small Business): Artificial Intelligence (AI) Statistics for Small Business (Updated for 2025) | ColorWhistle (citing QuickBooks survey data).

    • Source (Nonprofit): Interesting Nonprofit AI Statistics in 2025 | Network Depot.

  • P3C Insight: Tools are everywhere. The advantage goes to organizations that know what they're solving for before they automate. AI without strategy is just faster chaos. Alignment beats adoption every time.

• Trust Shifts

  • Fact: Trust has shifted. According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, people globally continue to place the most trust in "my employer" (75%) and their local community organizations, over government and media.

    • Source: 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer Reveals High Level of Grievance Towards Government, Business and the Rich | PRNewswire.

  • P3C Insight: People trust their employers and community organizations more than institutions or media. If you're a nonprofit or small business embedded in your community, you already have the foundation. The question is whether your communications strategy leverages that trust or takes it for granted.

  With Q4 here, organizations that tested campaigns earlier in 2025 are scaling now. If you haven't, the year isn't over. Before December hits, pick one story that shows your impact. Choose one channel where your audience actually shows up. Test it. Measure it. Build from what works. Clarity beats volume every time. Make the last quarter count.

  Reflection Prompt: Have you identified your true target audience, and do they clearly see themselves reflected in your strategy?

Awareness Opportunities

Awareness months offer natural touchpoints to align your story with what’s happening culturally. The key is authenticity — don’t force a tie-in, but if your mission or work overlaps, it’s an opportunity to connect with audiences in meaningful ways.

• Global Diversity Awareness Month (October)
  Highlight authentic stories of connection and trust, showing how your organization or business reflects the voices you serve.

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October)
  Align with narratives of health, wellness, and resilience — whether that’s through community partnerships, stories of survivorship, or wellness initiatives.

• Domestic Violence Awareness Month (October)
  Share your commitment to safety, healing, and community well-being, particularly if you serve families, youth, or women.

• Bullying Prevention Month (October)
  Spotlight programs, youth empowerment, or campaigns that build safe spaces and promote voice and belonging.

• National Philanthropy Day (November 15)
  Use this day to thank your donors, partners, or customers — and highlight the impact their support has created.

• Native American Heritage Month (November)
  Amplify stories and histories of Indigenous communities, and spotlight partnerships or initiatives that honor their contributions.

• Giving Tuesday (December 2, 2025)
  A global day of giving — nonprofits can rally donor support, and small businesses/solopreneurs can showcase community partnerships or match campaigns.

Tools & Resources

Free Marketing Assessments

• Take the first step in clarifying your strategy:

  Small Business Marketing Assessment →

  Nonprofit Marketing Assessment →

Shop Our Guides & Templates

• Save time with ready-to-use resources:

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Events & Conferences to Watch

Q4 and early 2026 bring major gatherings for nonprofits, small businesses, and entrepreneurs. These events aren’t just about networking, they’re opportunities to learn, share your story, and see where the industry is headed.

• AfroTech Conference 2025 — Oct 27–31 | Houston
  The largest multicultural tech gathering in the U.S., connecting Black tech professionals, founders, and investors across industries.

• ADCOLOR Conference 2025 — Nov 11–14 | Orlando
  A key event at the intersection of creativity, culture, and leadership — focused on amplifying underrepresented voices in media, advertising, and marketing.

• Advertising Week Global Calendar — LATAM (Nov), Asia (Dec), Europe (Mar 2026)
  Regional Advertising Week events bring global perspectives on branding and communications to international markets — great for keeping a pulse on global trends.

• Black Enterprise Women of Power Summit — Mar 11–15, 2026 | Las Vegas A must-attend leadership conference for professional women of color, offering career development, networking, and empowerment sessions.

If you are local to NYC or Atlanta, you may be able to catch these conferences coming up soon:

• Advertising Week New York 2025 — Oct 6–9 | NYC
  One of the world’s biggest marketing and communications gatherings, bringing together global leaders to discuss advertising, branding, and the future of media.

• Atlanta Business League Super Tuesday Conference — Oct 7 | Atlanta Marriott Marquis
  A premier event for Black business owners and professionals in Atlanta, featuring panels, workshops, and networking designed to elevate Black enterprise.

Quick Action Tip

Take 20 minutes this week to audit your homepage: does your mission or value prop show up above the fold? If not, fix that first — it’s the fastest clarity win.

Small Biz / Tech Corner

Tool Spotlight: Canva’s Brand Hub now lets you lock fonts, colors, and templates, making it easier for small teams to stay consistent.

Funding & Grant Alerts (Nonprofits)

Staying on top of grant cycles and funding opportunities can be the difference between meeting your goals and scrambling for resources. Each month, we'll highlight accessible programs worth exploring:

• Walmart Local Community Grants — up to $5,000 Supports local nonprofits addressing community needs in areas like hunger relief, education, and workforce development. Applications are open quarterly.

• The Home Depot Foundation Grants — varies Provides funding for nonprofits focused on affordable housing, disaster response, veteran support, and rebuilding communities.

• Bank of America Neighborhood Builders — multi-year support One of the largest philanthropic investments in nonprofit leadership development, offering $200,000 in flexible funding plus leadership training for two years.

• Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation — varies by program Invests in Atlanta and beyond, focusing on youth development, democracy, the arts, and community impact. Known for supporting bold, systemic solutions.

• The UPS Foundation — global + local focus Funds initiatives in equity and economic empowerment, environmental sustainability, volunteerism, and disaster relief, with a strong presence in Atlanta.

• Sundt Foundation Grants — up to $10,000 Provides quarterly funding for nonprofits improving the lives of disadvantaged children, families, veterans, and communities, particularly in areas where Sundt operates.

• Target Community Grants — up to $2,000 Local store grants support community programs in arts, education, and social services. Applications accepted year-round through individual Target stores.

• State Farm Good Neighbor Grants — up to $25,000 Supports youth-focused programs in education, safety, and community development. Agents can nominate nonprofits in their communities.

• Lowe's Community Partners Grant — varies Focuses on community improvement projects, particularly those involving skilled trades, safe and affordable housing, and community spaces.

• PNC Foundation Grants — varies Prioritizes early childhood education and community development, with regional focus areas including economic empowerment and arts and culture.

• Wells Fargo Community Grants — varies Supports housing affordability, small business growth, financial health, and environmental sustainability in communities where Wells Fargo operates.

• American Express Community Grants — varies Focuses on historic preservation, community service, and economic empowerment, particularly for small businesses and underserved communities.

• Delta Air Lines Foundation Grants — varies Invests in communities where Delta employees live and work, with emphasis on workforce development, arts and culture, and hunger relief.

• Coca-Cola Foundation Grants — varies Supports community initiatives focused on water stewardship, women's economic empowerment, and youth development, with significant Atlanta presence.

• Verizon Foundation Grants — varies Prioritizes digital inclusion, climate protection, and human prosperity through education and economic empowerment programs.

Pro Tip from P3C: Don't just apply and hope. Research the funder's priorities, review their recent grantees, and align your proposal with their stated goals. Generic applications rarely win. Strategic, tailored proposals do.

Featured Blogs — Insights That Move

The marketplace is more crowded than ever. Over 5 million new businesses launched last year alone. Nonprofits are stretched thin, facing rising demand and shrinking resources. And while everyone's talking about AI, most organizations still don't have a clear strategy.

Here's what we know: the winners right now aren't the ones with the biggest budgets. They're the ones who know their audience, build authentic connections, and move with clarity instead of chaos.

We're breaking down the shifts that matter and the opportunities hiding in plain sight. We've got insights on why your network beats corporate spending, how small businesses can steal market share right now, and why the CLARITY framework turns confusion into results.

Read the full posts. Use what works. Move smarter.

• The Nonprofit Secret: Why Authentic Diversity Beats Big Budgets — Discover why genuine relationships with your community matter more than your marketing spend.

• Why Our CLARITY Framework Works: From Scattershot to Strategic — Learn how Context, Landscape, Audience, Roadmap, Implementation, Tracking, and Yield transform confused organizations into confident leaders.

• The Small Business Opportunity: How to Steal Market Share While Corporations Stumble — When big companies move slow, nimble businesses win. Here's how to capitalize on the moment.

• Why 95% of Nonprofit Leaders Are Concerned About Burnout (And How to Fix It) — The data is clear: nonprofit burnout is a crisis. Strategic clarity is the solution.

• The Solopreneur's Hidden Advantage: Why Your Network Is Your Competitive Weapon — You can't outspend corporations, but you can out-connect them. Here's how to leverage relationships for growth.

  Explore All Blogs

Q4 is here and, historically, 35% of annual giving occurs in the final quarter.

We’re now 8 weeks from Giving Tuesday. That means the time is now to sharpen your message, clarify your audience, and line up tools that set you apart.

This month, P3C is rolling out DIY Giving Tuesday resources and packages to help you stand out and maximize year-end impact.

Next issue (Oct 15): Connection, Voice & Trust: why half-measures don’t work in 2025.

This first year of business has been one of faith, discovery, and building something sustainable from scratch. I’ve practiced what I preach, applied my own CLARITY framework, and committed to creating a strategy that’s accessible, actionable, and authentic.

If we’ve had the opportunity to work together, thank you for trusting me with your vision. And if we haven’t yet partnered, I look forward to the chance to help bring your goals, ideas, and impact to life.

Strategy That Moves. Stories That Connect.

What campaign is your org planning for fall? Hit reply and share — we may highlight it in an upcoming issue.

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