A few months ago, we sat down to unpack how nonprofits can use social media to share their mission and grow real, supportive communities. In our blog post, “How Do I Create an Effective Social Media Strategy for My Nonprofit?“, we talked about how honest, heartfelt stories can turn online platforms into places of connection and trust.
But what about LinkedIn?
Most people still think of it as a place for corporate updates and job hunting. But that’s changing. For nonprofits, LinkedIn has quietly become a space for thoughtful conversations, advocacy, and meaningful partnerships. Some organisations are using it to tell stories that go beyond program updates, stories that bring out the human side of their work, right in the middle of this very professional platform.
So how are they doing it? How are they making LinkedIn more than a digital résumé, something that actually fuels change? Let’s take a closer look.
1. ASCO: Using LinkedIn to Build a Skilled, Diverse Workforce
At the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), LinkedIn isn’t just a recruitment tool; it’s part of how they’re working toward their mission of conquering cancer. Representing nearly 45,000 oncology professionals, ASCO wanted a way to help their staff grow, stay connected to purpose, and feel supported.
So instead of just listing job openings, they took a more complete approach. They used LinkedIn Learning to support staff development, build competencies across 24 job families, and encourage employees to add completed courses to their profiles. LinkedIn’s nonprofit pricing made it practical and scalable.
And the results were clear straight away: a 15% rise in learning engagement, a 103% jump in staff feedback, and now 1 in 3 new hires comes through LinkedIn. It is not just about hiring; it is about a workplace where people feel invested in and heard.
2. Dasra: How a Founder’s Voice Fuels Connection
Sometimes it’s not the organisation that draws people in, it’s the people behind it. Neera Nundy, Co-founder and Partner at Dasra, shows just how powerful a founder’s voice can be.
Her LinkedIn posts don’t feel like marketing. They feel like reflections, thoughtful, rooted in experience, and grounded in purpose. She has a little over 7,000 followers, and many of her posts comfortably cross a few hundred likes. That kind of response is not only about polished writing; it comes from speaking in a simple, honest way.
At The Majurity Conversations 2025 in Singapore, Neera asked a question that stayed with people: “What if we viewed measurement as an act of respect?” It is the kind of line that shifts how you see data. By tying very practical insights to bigger, human questions, Neera does more than inform; she invites people into the work Dasra is trying to do.
This is where LinkedIn really works for nonprofits: when leaders use it less to promote and more to genuinely connect.
3. International Coach Federation: From Awareness to Action
The International Coach Federation (ICF) knew they had something valuable to offer, but they also knew they had to reach the right people. When they turned to LinkedIn, it was not about pushing out content for the sake of it. It was about opening up real, useful conversations.
They rolled out a layered LinkedIn campaign using Sponsored InMails, Sponsored Content, and Display Ads, with each format serving its own purpose. InMails offered a direct, personal way to reach people, Sponsored Content shared the benefits of ICF membership, and Display Ads helped put a face on their coaching community.
The campaign brought in nearly 1,900 new members, generated $465,000 in revenue, and delivered a stunning ROI of 1,761%. But they didn’t just use the numbers; they also used a LinkedIn group with 60,000 members to build a real community, not just get more people to see their posts.
Their story is a good reminder that LinkedIn isn’t just a place to post things; it’s also a place to build trust.
4. TED Conferences: Making LinkedIn a Global Community
Ideas worth spreading have always been what TED is all about. But on LinkedIn, they show how those ideas can also bring people together. On LinkedIn, they show how those ideas can also bring people together. On LinkedIn, they show how those ideas can also build community. But on LinkedIn, they show how those ideas can also build community.
With over 24 million followers, TED’s LinkedIn page is more than just a feed of popular talks. It’s full of reflections, behind-the-scenes glimpses, interviews with speakers, and reminders that big ideas can live in small moments too.
Many of their posts gather hundreds or even thousands of likes and shares. But more importantly, they start conversations. They bring people together around curiosity, openness, and a shared sense of purpose. It feels almost like everyone is leaning in at the same time, wanting to learn something new.
That is really why TED’s presence stands out. It is not about how often they post; it is the way the posts feel. There is a certain thoughtfulness in what they share, something that makes you pause for a moment. It becomes a place where people do more than watch. They end up feeling connected to a much larger circle of ideas and people.
5. Bat Conservation International: Turning Niche Content into LinkedIn Conversations
You might not think bat conservation would get much traction on LinkedIn, but Bat Conservation International (BCI) proves that even niche causes can resonate widely when the storytelling is right.
With 9,000 followers, BCI may not have a huge following. But their posts consistently get hundreds of likes, often more than what you’d expect even from much larger pages.
Their secret? Telling stories that are heartfelt and specific. They wrote in one post that the Livingstone’s fruit bat had gone from Critically Endangered to Endangered. They added information about protecting habitats and working together with the community, turning a technical update into a story of strength and hope.
That post got almost 700 likes. But more importantly, it showed that people will listen when you talk about something as simple as bats.
Last Thoughts: Turning Connections into Group Action
It’s clear from these stories that LinkedIn isn’t just a box to check. It’s a place where nonprofits can really be. Whether you’re growing a team, sharing insights, or celebrating a quiet win, LinkedIn gives you space to do it thoughtfully.
It doesn’t take a massive budget or a perfect strategy. Just a clear voice. A little consistency. And a willingness to show the human side of your work.
If you’re looking for more ideas, inspiration, or just want to keep learning how to tell your story better, subscribe to our newsletter. We share honest reflections, practical strategies, and real stories from across the nonprofit world.
