• Nonprofit Partnerships

Who we are

Bonfire is a marketing and branding agency that works with nonprofit partners to tell stories that compel people to take action. We are passionate about building movements for good.

We are climbers, skiers, runners, bikers, boaters, and explorers. We speak the language of the outdoors and care deeply about protecting the places we love to play. Passions fuel our work, and our work fuels our passions.

We are building a world where our planet is cared for and our people are solutions-oriented. We are a proud 1% for the Planet Member Business and give a portion of our time and revenue to environmental causes.

What we do

We integrate with your team as a trusted strategic partner

  • We value personal relationships and operate as an extension of your team
  • We understand the challenges of using a small budget to create big impacts
  • Our strategic approach helps revolutionize how you think about membership,
    communications, donor relationships, and stewardship

We apply our expertise in marketing and communications

  • We use a multi-channel approach to maximize giving and membership growth
  • We leverage storytelling in creative ways to build brand affinity, and inspire existing
    and future advocates
  • We sophisticate advertising strategies to be comprehensive across channels
  • We modernize communication methods to be more digital forward

We deliver decades of experience working with nonprofits to help your organization make quantum leaps

  • We help you meet and exceed awareness and giving targets
  • We are a dedicated resource for your development, marketing, and membership teams
  • We think holistically about your organization’s approach to help you grow

Bonfire Helps Nonprofits Reimagine

Fundraising, Paid Advertising, Marketing & Communication, Audience Building, Branding & Identity

Get in Touch and Reimagine Your Organization’s Future

What They’re Saying

“Bonfire leads the industry in brand development and content creation and once again proved their value in over-delivering, providing quality content development and communicating clearly and professionally.”

“Bonfire made this whole project so easy from start to finish, with clear and open communication, quick follow up, and amazing end product.”

“We work with Bonfire because we know the final product will be of the highest quality in design, articulation of our message, and simply effectively meeting the purpose of the project. No matter how hard they ask us to work in developing our vision, they are putting in triple the time to ensure the project meets not only our expectations, but theirs as well.”

“This is a dedicated team willing to take the extra effort and make a stellar final product. Their collaboration, listening and production value are second to none.”

  • The Bonfire Impact

    Specific examples of our work and process

A-Z STRATEGIC PLANNING PRCOESS

The Colorado Mountain Club Strategic Plan 2025 (mini-case study)

  • 1

    Challenge

    The Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), under new leadership and in a time of change, wanted to create a forward-thinking plan to ensure organizational growth, increased recognition, and continued relevance.

    Bonfire partnered with CMC on a comprehensive eighteen month process to build a five year strategic plan from scratch.

  • 2

    Process

    We got up to speed on the CMC’s brand and priorities through a unique Discovery Process to ensure alignment.

    Our team travelled across the state of Colorado to facilitate five different member engagement sessions.

    Through this process we collected the feedback and ideas of more than 100 members in person, channelling over 1,300 years of combined membership experience.

    We conducted online surveys to engage an additional 600 members and 250 nonmembers.

    We synthesized the data from this process into a key insights report and survey analysis document delivered to the CMC Board of Directors.

    We worked with CMC to write the copy for a strategic plan that will be the organization’s “North Star” for the next five years and beyond. We designed a visually stunning report that jumps off the page to engage and inspire.

  • 3

    Outcomes

    All key stakeholders, including members, organizational leadership, staff, and board members, were engaged with through an inclusive process, generating buy in

    Key areas of opportunity, growth, and tension, have been identified and clearly communicated to CMC leadership

    A strategic plan and vision that will guide the CMC for years to come, and addresses:

    • Creating a younger, more diverse membership

    • Aggressive membership growth

    • Conservation & stewardship goals

    • Improved membership experience

    • Added capacity for education & programming

A Bold New Approach to Member Communications

American Mountain Guides Assocation Guide Bulletin

  • 1

    Challenge

    The American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA) is leading the way in inspiring and supporting the American mountain craft culture. This professional organization sought a way to deepen connections with their members through meaningful storytelling, and that’s the idea behind the GUIDE Bulletin, their semi-annual publication. 

    Creating a visually stunning, professionally edited magazine is hard work—that’s where Bonfire comes in. Our custom-built A-to-Z process is there to help the AMGA create the perfect issue every time.

  • 2

    Process

    Planning

    We begin planning each issue six months in advance. Our team of professional editors chooses a resonant theme, brainstorms story ideas and contributors for each department, and builds a detailed timeline for the entire process.

    Contributor Outreach

    Once we’ve planned out the issue, the Bonfire team reaches out to contributors—including AMGA members and other professionals, like doctors or nutritionists, depending on the topic—to assign pieces.

    Editorial

    Each story makes its way into the GUIDE Bulletin via a rigorous editorial process. This is what makes the difference between a trade publication and a truly excellent magazine—the GUIDE Bulletin is made up of thoughtful, high-quality writing.

    Design

    Our veteran design team knows how to take a publication from Good to “Wow!” Using on-brand imagery and carefully following AMGA brand standards, we carefully design each page of the issue for a gorgeous layout that will turn heads and keep readers’ attention.

    Feedback

    Before each issue goes to print, we make sure the AMGA couldn’t be happier with it. This means running through macro, micro, and final edits to ensure the team is thrilled with every aspect of their publication, from story content to layout.

    Printer Relationship

    Our team has worked for high-profile magazines and Big Five publishers—we know how to make sure things come out looking just right. We manage the printer relationship to ensure print quality is top-notch and that the print and mailing processes run smoothly.

    The Cycle Begins Again

    We’ve already started planning the next issue before the previous one has landed in mailboxes. That’s what you get when the Bonfire team manages your publication—a straightforward, collaborative process that keeps moving forward despite your busy schedule.

  • 3

    Outcomes

    “The GUIDE Bulletin is at a whole new level.” — Joe Stock, IFMGA Guide and GUIDE Bulletin contributor

    • Professional, high-quality printed magazine distributed to AMGA’s 4,500+ members
    • Ad space offered as additional perk for AMGA’s corporate sponsors
    • A place for members to connect to their community by reading, writing, or both
    • A platform for AMGA to reach its members with thoughtful, resonant storytelling

    .

  • The Bonfire Impact

    Specific examples of our work and process