Strategic Communications Support & Storytelling

A strategic communications partner who stays close to your work — without the need for a full-time hire.

Think of this as having a strategic communications partner who understands your work and stays close to it — without the need for a full-time hire.

I work with non-profits, social enterprises, and purpose-driven businesses in recovery, mental health, and community-focused spaces that are navigating change, growth, or capacity gaps.

Sometimes that looks like supporting a team through a busy season.
Sometimes it’s stepping in after a staff transition.
Sometimes it’s helping an organization get back on its feet communications-wise when everything feels reactive.

In all cases, my role is the same: to bring clarity, continuity, and skilled support where it’s most needed.

What this can look like in practice:

  • Before content gets created, we take a step back.

    This may include:

    • clarifying your core message and positioning

    • identifying key audiences (clients, donors, funders, partners, customers)

    • reviewing existing content and communications

    • shaping a clear, realistic communications plan

    The goal is shared clarity — so your team isn’t reinventing the message every time something needs to be written.

  • Your website often needs to do a lot of heavy lifting. It may serve as:

    • a first point of contact for people seeking support

    • a credibility check for funders, donors, and partners

    • a reference point for staff, volunteers, or collaborators

    I help develop clear, grounded messaging that communicates:

    • who you are

    • who you serve

    • what you do

    • why it matters

    This work includes strategy, structure, and writing — so your website reflects the heart of your work and makes sense to the people reading it.

    Inquire for pricing.

  • Many organizations and social enterprises struggle to communicate impact — not because the impact isn’t there, but because it’s complex and deeply human.

    I support:

    • grant narratives and supporting materials

    • major donor or partner proposals

    • impact stories and reports

    • stewardship and follow-up communications

    The focus is clarity and trust — helping funders and partners understand how their support connects to real outcomes.

  • For teams who need consistent support, I offer ongoing communications partnership.

    This can include:

    • blog and newsletter planning and writing

    • campaign or initiative messaging

    • content calendars and communications guidance

    • collaboration with internal teams or external designers

    Think of this as having a strategic communications partner who understands your work and stays close to it — without the need for a full-time hire.

Why This Approach Works

Strong communications aren’t just about good writing — they’re about clarity, alignment, and capacity.

My approach works because it blends:

  • Strategic thinking — deciding what matters most

  • Storytelling — grounded, human, and honest

  • Hands-on support — stepping in where needed

  • Context awareness — understanding recovery, mental health, and mission-driven work

✔ No generic templates
✔ No one-size-fits-all plans
✔ No pressure to be everywhere at once

Just communications support that fits your organization and evolves with it.

Let’s Put Your Purpose into Words—So You Can Focus on Changing Lives

Most of the organizations I work with are:

  • deeply mission-driven

  • short on time and internal capacity

  • navigating growth, transition, or change

Communications often end up falling to the people who care most — even when it’s not actually their role.

If your team is stretched, behind, or unsure where to focus, you don’t need to solve it all at once. You just need the right support.

Here’s How We Work Together

Step 1: A Conversation

We start by talking through what’s feeling heavy, unclear, or unsustainable in your communications right now — whether that’s a capacity gap, a specific project, or an ongoing need for support.

Step 2: Clarifying What’s Needed

Based on that conversation, I help identify priorities and recommend a level of support that fits your capacity and budget.

This may look like:

  • Project-based support for a defined scope of work (such as a website refresh, grant support, or a specific communications initiative), or

  • Ongoing communications support on a monthly retainer when you need consistent, reliable help without adding a full-time role.

Step 3: Strategic + Hands-On Support

Once we’ve defined the scope, I step in to support planning, writing, and execution — or a combination of all three.

For ongoing partnerships, retainers typically range from 10–40 hours per month, depending on your needs, timelines, and internal capacity. This allows me to stay close to the work and respond as priorities shift.

Step 4: Refinement Over Time

As your organization evolves, we adjust the level of support as needed. Some teams work with me short-term during busy or transitional periods; others prefer steady, ongoing support.

The goal is the same in both cases: communications that feel clear, manageable, and no longer reactive.

Don’t Take My Word For It Though….

  • “It all started when clients were messaging and responding to things that I hadn't written. Curious, I went to my social media feed to find posts that sounded so like my own words I had to question whether I had written them. The words were excellent and so close to my voice that they fooled me and my closest friends, but more importantly, my analytics soared. There was something different in the way that Danielle posted that was getting really great traction, literally doubling the engagement. Dani listens, hears, questions and then goes for it. She has polished my website, social media and literature to a level that I had only hoped for. She has helped me to hone my message and then offer it in a way that people really engage with. I feel like I hit the jackpot in working with her.”

    - Allie Chisholm-Smith, E-RYT 500, MES, Studio Owner, YTT Creator, Allie Chisholm-Smith Yoga

  • “As a Content Marketing Manager, it can be difficult to keep writers on brand, but that was never a problem when working with Danielle. She innately understands brand messaging, and her writing was always superb.”

    - Shelley Little, Content Marketing Manager, Dig Marketing

  • “Having worked alongside Dani on social media, content creation, and copywriting I was always impressed by the quality and timeliness of the work she delivered. Dani contributes many ideas on how to make improvements and to ensure what she is creating is the most impactful product for the target market. Dani asks thoughtful questions in order to understand expectations and vision and has a really clear, easy to digest, and inspiring heart centered writing style. I would highly recommend Dani if you are looking for support with thoughtful social media content, newsletter creation, website copy, and blog posts.”

    - Courtney Sinclair, Founder, Court Outdoors

  • ”During her time working with Northern Edge Algonquin, Danielle proved herself to be an integral, flexible member of our team. As a writer, Dani was quick to learn our voice and create messaging and communications that felt true to our brand and spoke to our heart-centred community. She joined us in researching better SEO and rewriting our website to greatly improve our online presence and continued the thread through the creation and co-creation of many blog posts, social media posts, and e-newsletters. She comes with a ton of experience and technological proficiency, and is quick to learn and adapt to new systems and tools. I found Dani was always eager to help out, voice her unique insights, and put her expertise to use in promoting our retreats and centre. She's an excellent ally for any small team.”

    - Tim Lucier, Director of Operations, Northern Edge Algonquin

Not Sure Where to Start? Let’s Talk.

Content should feel intentional, not overwhelming. If you're unsure what you need, let's start with a conversation.

💬 Book a free 30-minute consultation—tell me what’s on your mind, and we’ll explore the best approach for your business or non-profit.

Schedule A Consultation Call