Need to fill some gaps in your editorial calendar? We have ideas for newsletters, social media, blog posts, and more. These writing ideas for May come from our Monthly Nonprofit Writing Prompts email newsletter. Fill out the form below to get June’s prompts emailed to you next week.
Your Writing Prompts for May 2024
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, or know-it-all C-3PO? Incorporate other characters too like Ahsoka, Din Djarin, Grogu, Rey, Kylo Ren, Poe, and Finn.
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?
5/7: National Teacher’s Day. 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?
5/11: 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.
5/12: 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.
5/18: 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.
5/18: Armed Forces Day. Does your cause have any connections to the military, or local military bases?
5/24: National Scavenger Hunt Day. Can you create a scavenger hunt for your followers? It can be a digital one where they submit pictures or do quests 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?
5/27: 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
- Haitian Heritage Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- National Bike Month
- National Pet Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- Mental Health Month
- Older Americans Month
- Foster Care Month
- American Wetlands Month
- National Nurse’s Week (6th – 12th)
- National Women’s Health Week (12th – 18th)
- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (17th)
- Victoria Day (Canada, 20th)
- 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.
May is also the beginning of graduation season for high schools and colleges. What words of wisdom can you give seniors as they enter college or the workforce right now?
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower peaks on the 4th-5th.
The Kentucky Derby is May 4th.
The 2024 MTV Movie & TV Awards is the 7th.
The Eurovision Song Contest starts the 7th.
The 59th Academy of Country Music Awards is the 16th.
The Cannes Film Festival starts the 14th.
The French Open tennis tournament begins the 20th.
May TV premiers include Jeopardy! Masters, Hacks, A Man in Full, Welcome to Wrexham, Selling the OC, Zillow Gone Wild, The Real Housewives of New Jersey, Dark Matter, Black Twitter: A People’s History, Bodkin, The GOAT, Love Undercover, Pretty Little Liars: Summer School, The Chi, Doctor Who, Interview With the Vampire, Bridgerton, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Weakest Link, Trying, Evil, The Kardashians, Houses of Horror: Secrets of College Greek Life, America’s Got Talent, Beat Shazam, The Quiz with Balls, MasterChef, and Eric.
Movies coming out in May include Turtles All the Way Down, The Fall Guy, I Saw the TV Glow, Unfrosted, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Tarot, We Grown Now, If, Back to Black, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, The Garfield Movie, Sight, Robot Dreams, and Ezra
Source of the Month
Your Social Media Platforms. Look through Facebook/Instagram/LinkedIn/X, etc. 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.
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