Question 1

Do you understand the unique challenges nonprofits face?

Accepted Answer

More than most. Counterintuity was co-founded by Lee Wochner and Amy Kramer, both of whom built careers inside the nonprofit and mission-driven world before starting the agency. Lee has 25+ years of organizational consulting experience, has founded and led nonprofits, served on numerous boards, and holds a master's from USC. Amy founded and ran a full-service web design company before co-founding Counterintuity, has managed campaigns exceeding $200 million, and holds digital marketing certifications from Google and MECLABS. They know what it means to balance limited resources, multiple stakeholders, and an urgent mission, and have built a team around that firsthand experience.

Question 2

Have you worked with organizations like ours?

Accepted Answer

Very likely. We've partnered with nonprofits, government agencies, foundations, coalitions, and social impact initiatives across sectors, from environmental sustainability and public health to education and the arts. Our clients have included the University of Southern California, PBS SoCal, the Louis Armstrong House Museum, I Love New York, Moynihan Train Hall, the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Pasadena Symphony and Pops, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, and the cities of Los Angeles, New York, and Santa Monica, among many others. Every organization is different, but the need for clear strategy and compelling storytelling is always the same.

Question 3

Why does a nonprofit need a marketing strategy?

Accepted Answer

Because a great mission isn't enough on its own. People need to know about it, understand it, and feel moved to act. A marketing strategy helps your organization clarify its message so it's compelling; reach the right people (supporters, funders, clients, community members, and policymakers); make the most of limited resources by focusing on what will have the biggest impact; align your internal teams around consistent goals; and turn awareness into action, whether that means more donations, deeper community engagement, stronger partnerships, or better policy outcomes. Without one, even the most important work can go unheard.

Question 4

What happens when a nonprofit doesn't have a marketing strategy?

Accepted Answer

We think of it as standing in a hallway with 37 doors, opening each one, looking inside, but never committing to a direction. The result is wasted time, wasted budget, inconsistent messaging, and teams that are constantly restarting instead of building momentum. Without strategic targeting, the right people don't hear your message, and potential support goes untapped. Inconsistent branding erodes trust with stakeholders, funders, and the communities you serve. And constant scrambling without results leads to burnout, wearing down even the most committed teams. A clear strategy changes all of that: it gives your efforts focus, coherence, and something to compound over time.

Question 5

How do you develop a marketing strategy for a mission-driven organization?

Accepted Answer

We start by listening to your goals, your challenges, your community, and your data. From there, we facilitate an in-person strategy session with your leadership team and key stakeholders, then develop a clear, actionable plan that connects your mission to measurable outcomes. Whether you're building awareness, driving engagement, or fueling fundraising, every recommendation is aligned to your purpose.

Question 6

Can you help us clarify our brand and messaging?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. We help organizations define who they are, what they stand for, and how to communicate it clearly and consistently across platforms, audiences, and moments. With backgrounds in storytelling alongside decades of marketing experience, we know how to help you find your voice and make it land.

Question 7

Our marketing feels broken. Where do we even start?

Accepted Answer

You don't have to figure it out yourself. Whether your website is underperforming, your messaging feels muddled, or your campaigns aren't moving the needle, we know how to diagnose what's wrong and build something better, all without adding to your plate. Most of our clients come to us knowing something isn't working. Finding exactly what, and fixing it, is one of the things we do best.

Question 8

Can better marketing actually help us raise more money?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and it's one of the most direct connections we make for our clients. Stronger storytelling, clearer messaging, and smarter audience targeting build the donor relationships and community trust that drive fundraising. We've helped clients grow donations, expand their supporter base, and make a more compelling case to funders. Marketing and fundraising aren't separate strategies. In our experience, the best fundraising is great marketing.

Question 9

How do we get more donors through marketing?

Accepted Answer

Donors give to organizations they trust, believe in, and feel connected to. Marketing builds all three. We help nonprofits develop the storytelling, messaging, and outreach strategies that deepen relationships with existing donors and reach new ones through email, social media, content, PR, and campaigns designed to move people from awareness to action. The organizations that grow their donor base consistently aren't necessarily doing more marketing. They're doing more intentional marketing.

Question 10

We have a small team with limited capacity. Can you work with that?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most of our clients do. We tailor our process to fit your bandwidth, help you prioritize what matters most, and step in to fill the gaps where needed. Our goal is always to make your work easier, not add to it.

Question 11

How do you market a nonprofit with a small budget?

Accepted Answer

Strategically, which means ruthless prioritization over trying to do everything. We help organizations with limited budgets identify where their efforts will have the greatest impact, cut what isn't working, and build systems that compound over time rather than require constant reinvestment. A small budget spent with focus and intention will always outperform a larger one spread too thin. We've been doing this for organizations of all sizes since 2007.

Question 12

Do you offer both strategy and execution?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and that's one of our core strengths. We don't hand you a plan and walk away. From campaign development and content creation to social media management and web design, we see strategy through to results.

Question 13

Do you design and build nonprofit websites?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Based in Burbank, California, our team designs and builds websites for nonprofits, public agencies, and mission-driven organizations nationwide, sites that are beautiful, accessible, and built to perform. Our nonprofit website work has been recognized by the MarCom Awards, Communicator Awards, W3 Awards, and AVA Digital Awards, including Platinum recognition for the Coalition for Responsible Community Development and Gold for USC Facilities Planning and Management. Every site we build is optimized for search, aligned to your mission, and designed to turn curious visitors into committed supporters.

Question 14

Can you maintain and support our website after it launches?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. This is a huge headache for many nonprofits. We manage websites of all sizes and complexity for clients across sectors. Our ongoing maintenance and support programs keep your digital presence secure, current, and effective, without you having to manage it yourself.

Question 15

How do you stay current on nonprofit marketing trends and best practices?

Accepted Answer

We're active leaders in multiple marketing associations, consistently invest in research and development, and stay closely connected to nonprofit and public sector networks. Lee Wochner also hosts "How to Market Your Nonprofit," an award-winning podcast featuring conversations with nonprofit leaders from across the country. It’s available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and at counterintuity.com.

Question 16

Can you bring fresh, unexpected ideas, and not just the standard playbook?

Accepted Answer

With a name like Counterintuity, it’s what we're built for. Since 2007, we've served nonprofits with work that is smart, creative, and built to perform, earning more than 50 international awards, from the MarCom Awards, Communicator Awards, W3 Awards, AVA Digital Awards, and Davey Awards. We bring counterintuitive thinking, backed by research, testing, and nearly two decades of experience.

Question 17

What is a fractional CMO and does my nonprofit need one?

Accepted Answer

A fractional Chief Marketing Officer is an experienced marketing leader who works with your organization on a part-time or contract basis, giving you senior-level strategy and oversight without the cost of a full-time hire. For most nonprofits, it's the smartest way to get real marketing leadership within a realistic budget. We’ve served as fractional CMO for a number of clients, with Counterintuity strategists embedding directly into your organization to set strategy, guide execution, and keep everything moving.

Question 18

Who will we work with day to day?

Accepted Answer

You'll have a dedicated team that knows your organization, communicates proactively, and keeps things moving, led by a sharp account manager who ensures everything stays on time, on budget, and on strategy. We believe in responsive, collaborative partnerships.

Question 19

Can you work within a nonprofit budget?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We're experienced working within the financial realities of nonprofits and public agencies. We'll help you scope effectively, prioritize ruthlessly, and focus your investment where it will deliver the greatest impact.

Question 20

How much does nonprofit marketing cost?

Accepted Answer

We work with clients in several ways: set fees for specific projects, hourly engagements for defined functions, and ongoing retainers for organizations that need a consistent marketing presence. For clients where we serve as a fractional Chief Marketing Officer (handling all or part of their marketing strategy and execution), monthly investments typically range from $2,500 to $12,500. Your success is our priority, and that includes providing an estimate that will help you meet your goals while falling within your budget.

Question 21

What kind of results can we expect?

Accepted Answer

Our work has helped clients triple website traffic, earn national media coverage, drive hundreds of thousands of impressions, and, most importantly, grow meaningful community engagement and donations. We focus on real-world results, not vanity metrics.

About us

There’s work to do.

Our story

Meet your team

Meet your team

Lee Wochner

Amy Kramer

Jeff Hendrych

Lisa Pham

Caitlin M. Heflin

Jaclyn Uloth

Chelsea Bishop

Rolando Escobar

Sonya Koerner

Vida Katalbas

Nonprofit marketing FAQ

We’d like to thank…

Communicator Awards

2025

MarCom Awards

2023

MarCom Awards

2022

AVA Digital Awards

2021

MarCom Awards

2020

MarCom Award

W3 Award

2019

MarCom Awards

Communicator Award

2018

W3 Awards

2017

Communicator Awards

W3 Awards

2016

Communicator Awards

Davey Award

2014

Communicator Awards

Davey Award

2013

Communicator Awards

2012

W3 Awards

Communicator Award

Davey Award

Small Business Award

California Small Business Association

2011

Let’s make some noise

Our proven approach can help you connect with supporters like never before.

Ready for more? Let’s talk.