We are proud of the work that we do with the Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund. So, we were thrilled when the model we developed in partnership with their team became a best practice acknowledged in the article, “Assessing Nonprofits’ Communications Capacity: An Online Self-Assessment Tool,” in The Foundation Review.
The article’s authors took on a large-scale survey of the field for a comprehensive look at the state of communications work in nonprofits. Through their research, they found that the most successful organizations have coupled strong, competent communications staff with expert consultants.
Many of the organizations that are having the most communications success are getting it done by having both strong, competent staff and engaging outside resources. This division of labor allows consultants and staff to focus on their part of the work, play to their strengths, and exceed expectations for success.
In the case of the Haas Jr. Fund, our ongoing relationship means that LightBox Collaborative is intimately familiar with the Fund’s goals, the work of the grantees, and organizational priorities. Plus our engagement with other clients and the rest of the field helps us bring in fresh perspective and new ideas.
Here’s what the researchers had to say:
Staffing at The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund
The Evelyn and Walter Haas Jr. Fund has found a new working model to meet its needs. For example, Denis Chicola knew he needed a fresh perspective. As communications officer for the fund, he was charged with sharing the news of some significant changes to the fund’s priorities following a deep strategic planning process. “These were major shifts for us, and we were so close to the issues. It was overwhelming to think about all the moving parts involved in communicating the transition,” Chicola says.
So, he called on communications consultant Holly Minch to craft a plan. “My approach was to help the fund surface the key information and implications for its grantees,” Minch says, “all in the context of its larger vision.” Together they developed a work plan for a short, intensive effort to share the news and shift the positioning of the fund. “The result was a cohesive, coordinated rollout of our new direction,” says Chicola.
Building upon the success of that initial engagement, the fund has evolved a split structure for its communications work: Chicola acts as the champion of the fund’s brand, and Minch serves as communications counsel to the fund’s programs. Chicola manages day-to-day communications of the fund, including Web site and high-level organizational communications. On a parallel track, Minch develops strategies to advance the issues the fund supports, such as a recent public education campaign in support of same-sex marriage. “This approach leverages our respective strengths,” says Chicola. “It provides a more robust communications platform for our work.”