Applications to Noble Deeds come in by the dozens, and every cycle we choose just one.
That means most of the organizations that apply, many of them doing work we genuinely admire, won’t be chosen. That’s the hardest part of running this program, and it’s exactly why we wrote this post.
Because for the partners we select, the work makes a real difference. We’ve helped organizations sharpen how they talk about themselves, reach more of the people they serve and bring in more donors. In one case, our work helped a nonprofit secure significant additional funding to handle growing demand. That’s the kind of outcome we’re hoping to create for Deeds recipients, and a strong application is how you get in the room.
So we pulled together the people who actually read these applications and sit in the finalist interviews, and asked them what makes applicants stand out.
What follows are seven things that consistently help, plus an honest note on the odds at the end. We’re not asking for polish for its own sake. These tips help our Noble Deeds Committee quickly and clearly see who your organization is and how we can help.
Be Specific About What You Need
The most common stumble we see is an application that asks for help with everything. It’s an understandable instinct, especially for a small team juggling a dozen priorities, but it makes it hard for us to picture how we’d actually help you.
The strongest applications name a focused problem. Before you apply, take an honest look at where a marketing partner would help your organization most, and lead with that. A clear, well-defined ask is far easier for our team to act on than a long wish list.
Right-Size Your Request
Bigger isn’t always better. Many nonprofits come to us wanting a brand-new website or a splashy paid media campaign, and sometimes that’s exactly the right move. Often, though, it isn’t where an organization actually is in its growth.
Some of the most valuable work we do is smaller and more foundational. Sharpening your messaging, refining your brand or even creating clean business cards and letterhead can do more to build your donor base than a flashy site that outpaces where you are today. Don’t talk yourself out of a modest ask because it doesn’t sound impressive. A focused, right-sized project that genuinely fits your needs is something we’re glad to take on, and it’s often where we can make the biggest difference.
Make Sure Your Request Fits What We Do
It helps to understand what Noble Studios actually offers before you apply. Every so often, we receive a creative, thoughtful idea that we simply aren’t the right team to build, and it’s hard to say yes to something outside our wheelhouse, no matter how much we admire the thinking.
Take a little time to learn our capabilities and services, then line your request up with them. When what you’re asking for aligns with what we can deliver, it’s far easier for us to see a path forward together.
Tell Your Story and Show Your Impact
This is the single biggest thing that sets an application apart. We want to feel why your work matters, not just read a summary of what you do. The applications that stay with us are the ones with a real, human story behind them. The reason you got involved, the people you serve, the moment that made it all click.
Let that passion come through. And where you can, back it up. Case studies, short videos or other supporting materials let us understand your impact and dig deeper on our own. The goal is to help us see your value, not just take your word for it.
Connect the Help to Your Mission and Sustainability
It’s easy to say that better marketing would be nice. Showing what better marketing would do for your organization is far more compelling. One gap we notice often is that applicants don’t connect the services we offer to a concrete result.
Donors are usually the clearest place to start. If a stronger brand or a better website helps you bring in more donors, say so, because the funding you raise is what lets you do more of your work. The same goes for reaching more of the people you serve or recruiting more volunteers. When you draw a straight line from the marketing work to a healthier, more sustainable organization, it’s much easier for us to picture the difference our support could make. We saw this with Crisis Support Services, where our work helped them secure significant additional funding to meet growing demand.
Put Real Care Into Every Answer
Applications get reviewed quickly, and the effort you put in shows. We can usually tell when answers have been copied and pasted across questions with only minor tweaks, and it tends to flatten what makes an organization special.
Treat each question as its own opportunity to tell us something new. Be specific, be thoughtful and give your submission a final polish before you send it. You don’t need to be a professional writer. You just need to show that you cared enough to put your best foot forward.
Be Ready to Show Up as a Partner
Getting selected is just the start. A Deeds project is a real collaboration, and the work we do together depends on you being an active part of it. We don’t build in a silo.
That partnership starts before selection. In our finalist conversations, we’re paying attention to how you show up. Are you reliable, prepared and clear about what you want? Does your passion come through in person the way it does on paper? We’re going to be working alongside you, so those early signals matter.
More Than a Project
Every cycle, we have far more deserving applicants than we can choose. Saying no to organizations doing meaningful work is the hardest part of Noble Deeds.
That’s why we wrote this guide. A thoughtful application helps us understand who you are, what you need and how we can make the greatest impact together.
If you think we could help, apply. And if this isn’t your year, please don’t count yourself out. Some of our strongest partnerships started with a second or third application.
