Looking for social media or newsletter ideas for October? We have them! Psst, you can also use these writing ideas for blog posts, videos and more. These writing ideas for October come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter. Fill out the form below to get November’s prompts emailed to you the week of October 5th.
Your Writing Prompts for October 2026
On the Calendar
10/01: National Homemade Cookie Day or World Vegetarian Day. Share your favorite cookie or vegetarian recipes or have your staff or supporters shares theirs.
10/02: World Smile Day. If cooking isn’t your thing, share photos of your volunteers or clients smiling and tell their stories. If you are a health related org, you can promote dental health.
10/03: World Card Making Day. This is a day to make a homemade greeting card, so encourage your supporters to create their own cards related to your mission and share them on social media tagging your organization.
10/05: Do Something Nice Day. Encourage your supporters to do something nice for someone else in your name.
10/05: World Teacher’s Day. Point out some of the educators in your field and what they have done for your cause.
10/09: Curious Events Day. Are people curious about a certain program or person regarding your organization? Or are there any “curious events” related to your organization or cause?
10/12: Columbus Day or Indigenous Peoples Day. What new frontiers are you exploring? Or how can you honor those who lived here first?
10/12: Canadian Thanksgiving Day. Thank your clients, volunteers and supporters.
10/12: Moment of Frustration Day. Vent away or provide some ideas on releasing frustration in a healthy way. Encourage your readers to share what frustrates them on your social media posts.
10/13: Train Your Brain Day. Share some brain teasers, word puzzles or riddles that relate to your organization and get your supporters using their brains in a different way.
10/16: Bosses Day. Do a “Day in the Life” of your boss feature or highlight the “real” boss of the organization.
10/16: Dictionary Day. Help your readers define some of the jargon associated with your cause. (Then stop using it in communications to them!)
10/19: Evaluate Your Life Day. Report back to your donors on what’s happening at your nonprofit.
10/24: Make a Difference Day. This is a day to encourage volunteers and community service.
10/30: Mischief Night. Encourage your supporters to make a little mischief and flood your legislators inboxes, voicemails, and mail boxes with concerns on a vote or issue that affects your cause.
10/31: Halloween. Give us some insight into staff personalities and let us know what they will be for Halloween. Tell us what your favorite candy is. This can be a great time for lighter updates if your org deals with heavy topics.
October is also:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Sarcastic Month
- Vegetarian Month
- Global Diversity Awareness Month
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- ADHD Awareness Month
Week 1 of October is “Getting Organized Week”
Week 2 is “Fire Prevention Week” and “Pet Peeve Week”
Other Dates:
- 10/01: International Music Day
- 10/01: International Coffee Day
- 10/04: World Animal Day
- 10/10: World Mental Health Day
- 10/11: National Coming Out Day
- 10/11: International Day of the Girl
- 10:16: World Food Day
- 10/15: LGBTQ+: Spirit Day
- 10/17: International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
- 10/29: National Cat Day
Metaphor of the Month
Pop Culture, Events, and News
Politics and administration policies will continue to dominate the U.S. news cycle especially as things ramp up toward the November midterms.
Many organizations’ Fiscal Years begin on the 1st.
The 39th Hispanic Heritage Awards are on the 2nd on PBS.
The MLB Playoffs will wrap up in October with the World Series set to start on the 23rd.
The NBA regular season starts October 20th.
Many communities will be hosting fall festivals.
Expect to see lots of “Spooky Season” and pumpkin spice content.
Movies coming out in theaters this month include The Scout; Verity; Digger; Avatar Aang: The Last Airbender; Other Mommy; Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother; Flywheel: Ignition of the Soul; Street Fighter; Crawlers; Sense and Sensibility; Clayface; Wildwood; Christmas at the Kringles; and Wicker.
Streaming movie premieres include Animals; Matchbox The Movie; Masterplan; and Tenzing.
Some TV shows or mini-series returning or premiering include War; Celebrity Wheel of Fortune; Marshals; Tracker; CIA; FBI; NCIS; NCIS: New York; NCIS: Origins; Abbott Elementary; Carrie; Chicago Fire; Chicago Med; Chicago P.D.; Below; Cupertino; Elsbeth; Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage; Law & Order; Law & Order: SVU; Avatar: Seven Havens; Boston Blue; Fire Country; Sheriff Country; VisionQuest; 9-1-1; 9-1-1: Nashville; Crystal Lake; Grey’s Anatomy; The Terminal List; Lupin; Happy’s Place; Newlyweds; Ghosts; and Nocturne.
Artists releasing albums in October include Victoria Monét, Wynonna, Miranda Lambert, Greta Van Fleet, Sheryl Crow, Troye Sivan, Eels, Fontaines D.C., The Avalanches, Nickelback, and Ministry.
Source of the Month
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