Don’t rack your brain trying to think of clever ideas for your social media updates, blog posts, or newsletter articles. These writing prompts can crush that writer’s block!
These ideas come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter*. If you would like these ideas sent to your inbox a month in advance, sign up for our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts. I send this email newsletter the first week of every month with prompts for the following month. For example, I will email the prompts for June next week. Sign up now to get prompts emailed to you in advance monthly.
*Please double-check any events to see if they have changed due to the pandemic or other current events.
On the Calendar
5/1: National Mother Goose Day. Write a fairy tale or nursery rhyme about your nonprofit.
5/4: Star Wars Day. Who are the good guys and bad guys in your epic battle to make the world a better place? Who in your office is the naïve but brave Luke Skywalker, the cocky, but loyal Han Solo, the fierce Princess Leia, wise Obi-Wan Kenobi or know-it-all C-3PO? Incorporate newer characters too like Din Djarin, Grogu, Ahsoka, Rey, Kylo Ren, Poe, and Finn.
5/4: National Teacher’s Day. If Star Wars isn’t your thing, teachers continue to need a lot of attention this year! Who are some of the great teachers in your field? Can you honor a teacher who is also a great volunteer or donor for your cause?
5/5: Cinco de Mayo. Though many seem to use it as an excuse to go out for Mexican and margaritas, this date is a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride, commemorating the Battle of Puebla. Note that it is NOT Mexican Independence Day, which is on September 16. Can you make any connections to the Mexican community, or to Mexican restaurants or services in your community?
5/9: Mother’s Day. Do you have that certain someone who is a “mom” to all those in your organization? How can your supporters honor their mothers in a way that’s consistent with your cause? But be sensitive to those who may have lost their mothers.
5/11: Twilight Zone Day. Does it feel like you’re living in the Twilight Zone sometimes? This day celebrates the mysterious show. Have your readers enter the Twilight Zone by writing about how eerie and scary the world would be without your nonprofit.
5/15: Armed Forces Day. Does your cause have any connections to the military, or local military bases?
5/18: International Museum Day. Does your cause have a museum associated with it you could encourage people to visit? Or could you partner with a local museum? If not, create a virtual museum based on your mission.
5/28: Amnesty International Day. Is your organization involved with protecting human rights? Can you call on supporters to get involved with a related issue?
5/31: Memorial Day (US). Officially marks a day of remembrance for those who have died in military service to our country. Unofficially marks the beginning of summer.
May also has:
- Asian American Month
- Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- National Bike Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Mental Health Month
- Older Americans Month
- Foster Care Month
- American Wetlands Month
- National Nurse’s Week (6th – 12th)
- National Women’s Health Week (9th – 15th)
- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (17th)
- Victoria Day (Canada, 24th)
- World No Tobacco Day (31st)
Metaphor of the Month
This month’s metaphor is Parenting. Think about moms, dads, growth spurts, stages, giving birth, pregnancy, nursery, family dinner, sibling rivalry, discipline, adoption, empty nest, sleepless nights, divorce, packing school lunches, blended families, soccer moms.
How can you relate these things to your organization?
Pop Culture, Events, and News
The end of May is the unofficial start of summer, so you’ll see lots of discussion about outdoor and warm weather activities.
As vaccines become more available, people will start thinking about travel again.
May is also usually the beginning of graduation season for high schools and colleges. Some are still virtual but others have announced in-person events. What words of wisdom can you give seniors as they enter college or the workforce right now?
South Korean boy band BTS plans to release a new song this month.
The Kentucky Derby is May 1st.
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks on the 5th.
The MTV Movie and TV Awards are the 16th.
The French Open tennis tournament begins the 17th.
The Billboard Music Awards ceremony is the 23rd.
May TV premiers include Batwoman, The Girlfriend Experience, Pose, The Real Housewives of New York City, Selena: The Series, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Charmed, Dynasty, Jupiter’s Legacy, Shrill, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, The Chi, Black Monday, The Kominsky Method, and American Ninja Warrior.
Movies coming out in May include Cruella, A Quiet Place Part II, Peter Rabbit 2, Spiral: From the Book of Saw, Army of the Dead, Those Who Wish Me Dead, and Four Good Days.
Source of the Month
Your Facebook Page. Look through your Facebook posts and see what got the most attention. Talk more about that in an article or blog post. Or ask your followers how to solve a problem, then post their answers on your blog.
Remember to sign up for our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts if you would like ideas like these sent to your inbox a month in advance.
