Arizona Nonprofit Communicators Need a Peer Group of Their Own

If you work in communications at an Arizona nonprofit, you already know the feeling: you're the person everyone turns to when there's a story to tell, a crisis to navigate, a campaign to launch — and often, you're doing it alone.

No peer down the hall to gut-check a message. No colleague or network that truly understands the tension between authentic storytelling and donor expectations. Just you, your inbox, and a deadline.

That's exactly the gap that the Arizona Nonprofit Communications Peer Group was created to fill.

What Is the Arizona Nonprofit Marketing & Communications Peer Group?

Launched in May 2026, the Arizona Nonprofit Marketing & Communications Peer Group is a community built specifically for communications professionals working in the nonprofit sector across Arizona. Whether you're a one-person communications department, a solo social media manager, or a director of marketing juggling strategy and execution, this group was made with you in mind.

The peer group brings together professionals who share a unique set of challenges: high responsibility, limited resources, and work that is — as many in the field will tell you — essential but often invisible.

Why This Group, Why Now?

Elena Burr, Director of Communications & Outreach at AllThrive 365 and Co-Founder of Kindling Impact had spent years working alongside and supporting nonprofit leaders across Arizona. She saw a pattern.

"Nonprofit communications professionals are carrying so much," says Burr. "They're responsible for strategy, storytelling, brand, crisis response — often all at once, often without a team. And yet there's very little infrastructure to support them. This peer group is about changing that."

The goal, Burr emphasizes, is not just another networking event or professional development series. It's something more intentional: a space where communicators can process challenges, share wins, and build relationships with people who genuinely understand the work.

"We want this to be the group that people didn't know they needed until they found it," she says. "A place where you can say 'I'm struggling with this campaign' or 'I don't know how to handle this situation' — and someone in the room gets it immediately because they've been there."

Built With the Community, Not Just For It

One of the most distinctive things about this peer group is how it's being developed. Rather than launching with a predetermined format or agenda, Kindling Impact began with a listening session — inviting Arizona nonprofit communicators to share what they actually need.

Early conversations have surfaced consistent themes: the desire to process difficult decisions with peers, a sense that nonprofit communications professionals in Arizona lack a dedicated professional home, and a need for community that goes beyond surface-level networking.

"We're not coming in with all the answers," Burr says. "We're listening first. The shape of this community will be determined by the people who join it."

That approach reflects a core value at Kindling Impact: that meaningful change happens when the people closest to a problem are part of designing the solution.

Who Is This Peer Group For?

The Arizona Nonprofit Communications Peer Group is designed for:

• Communications directors and managers at Arizona nonprofits

• Solo communicators who handle marketing, social media, storytelling, and more

• Development and communications hybrids who wear multiple hats

• Anyone in the nonprofit sector whose work involves shaping how an organization tells its story

If you've ever wished you had a peer to call when a campaign goes sideways — or just someone to celebrate a win with who understands what it took to get there — this group is for you.

How to Get Involved

Interested in joining the Arizona Nonprofit Communications Peer Group? There are two easy ways to plug in right now:

Share Your Insights

Help shape what this community becomes by completing a short survey. Your input directly influences how the group is structured, what topics get prioritized, and what format works best for busy professionals.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Get on the Invite List

Want to be among the first to know about upcoming gatherings and events? Email Elena Burr directly to be added to the invite list: kindlingimpact@gmail.com

About Kindling Impact

Kindling Impact is an Arizona-based organization dedicated to strengthening the nonprofit sector through community-building, professional development, and meaningful connection. Co-founded by Elena Burr, Kindling Impact works to spark the relationships and resources that help purpose-driven people and organizations do their best work.

Are you a nonprofit communications professional in Arizona? We'd love to hear from you. Share this post with a colleague who needs this community — and help us spread the word.