June 4, 2026
ReImagine Appalachia has been around for over six years now – we have had so many excellent partners that have taught us best-practices when it comes to managing a nonprofit and/or a coalition. We have also learned and grown from our own experiences and mistakes. With that being said, this blog is meant to provide our partners with some tools and resources that we have created to make our lives a little easier! Taking time to organize and create systems for managing an organization or a body of work can be tedious, but it always pays off in the long run.
Below we’ve compiled a list of some of our most-requested tools and planning templates. Do you have any tools that you’re looking for, or any to share? If so, please be in touch!
Note: The resources and templates are being shared as VIEW ONLY this means you will need to make a copy of the document if you want to make your own version. This will allow everyone to continue to have access to the original form of the document.
If you have questions about any of the following resources, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are truly happy to help explain how any of these work or talk through any ideas for improvement you may have. You can contact Molly Updegrove, Director of Operations & Deputy Director of Programs at [email protected]
General Coalition & Nonprofit Management
Event Planning Template – ReImagine Appalachia created this resource to stop recreating the wheel internally – we host so many virtual events and it can be easy to feel overwhelmed with the number of events in-motion (which event has speakers lined up? Have we added this event to our website?). This tool will help you streamline the process each time you are planning a virtual event.
Grant-writing/reporting Template – Grant writing and reporting can sometimes feel never-ending and it takes a lot of capacity to keep-up-with. This resource is meant to make life easier by making the process more efficient.
Facilitation Skills – This resource provides tips on facilitating meetings and/or events -whether it be virtual or in-person. We created this resource with expertise from our team as well as insights shared during an event we hosted on the topic – we have learned from so many excellent individuals and organizations!
Outreach Template – This basic Google Sheet provides you an example of how to organize contacts if you are trying to boost your outreach strategy. We also have tabs in this template for utilizing a tool called ‘YAMM’ (Yet Another Mail Merge) – which is a Google Sheets Extension. We highly recommend this tool if you are trying to grow your audience while remaining personable. You can learn more about how YAMM works in this recording of our ‘Coalition Building’ event, which features a tutorial on YAMM.
Coalition Building Presentation – This is a deck that includes information regarding coalition-building specifically in the virtual space. We recommend this resource if you are hoping to grow and engage with an audience digitally.
Local Network Building – Check out this resource if you are hoping to build a network on-the-ground. This includes a recording of our webinar with Fair Shake Environmental Legal Services that includes lots of great insight and opportunities to grow with trust.
Zoom & other Digital Tools
Engagement Tips for Zoom Meetings – This resource provides information on how to make your Zoom meeting more engaging as well as the ‘101’ on all-things-Zoom. We recommend checking out this resource if you are hosting meetings on Zoom or plan on doing this – hopefully it makes the space easier to understand and helps with participation!
Analytics & Social Media Management – Watch this recording of our webinar showcasing Analytics and how to learn more about what areas of your website and social media sites are garnering the most attention. Access this document for information on analytics: the metrics you should track, formulas for measuring audience engagement, and how you can do this across specific platforms.
Social Media Calendar – This is a helpful tutorial on utilizing Google Sheets to create a social media calendar.
Mentimeter – We utilize mentimeter for engaging with our audiences during virtual events (though you can also use it in-person, too). Mentimeter allows everyone to participate in a live survey where event attendees can see answers as they populate. We are happy to provide more information about how to use it – but it is actually pretty user-friendly!
Digital Content Distribution Strategies That Maximize Impact – Creating compelling video and graphic content is only half the battle – strategic distribution is equally crucial for building support around your mission. This recorded workshop explores effective methods for distributing digital content across various platforms to maximize visibility, engagement, and impact for Appalachian advocacy efforts.
Harnessing the Power of Short Form Video for Advocacy – In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, short-form video has emerged as one of the most effective tools for engaging audiences and communicating complex messages quickly. This recorded workshop explores how Appalachian organizations and advocates can leverage short-form video to tell compelling regional stories, highlight community voices, and advance policy goals.
Other
Sign-On-Letters-101 – Check out this blog which includes a template for a draft sign-on-letter and recording of a webinar on how to pull together an effective sign-on-letter.
Traditional Media 101 – This deck includes information about traditional media and the ins-and-outs. Shoutout to our friends at Clear Point Communications for this incredible presentation!
Messaging – This deck is from a webinar focused on being a spokesperson for your community – it has lots of great information in it thanks to Tracy Sabetta with Initiative Consulting.