Strategic Communications Plans

Strategic communications planning is the heart of our work. To make change, you have to be able to articulate your goals, your role in solving problems and why people should care.

Our most productive client relationships often begin with a research-based strategic communications plan to identify goals, key messages and effective messengers, as well as sharply defined activities that offer a compelling platform for visibility.

For most strategic communications plans, our process includes:

In-depth, one-on-one interviews with key senior staff, key stakeholders and board members
A media review of the major issues the organization addresses, including any media coverage of the organization
An audit of written and web-based materials
An analysis of the relevant political and media climates
Creation of strong, finely honed messages
Development of a comprehensive set of communications activities and an estimated budget for implementation
Suggestions for additional services to maximize success, such as media training or communications campaigns

Our most experienced staff direct the process and present the finished product to the client. Ample time is always afforded for explanation and questions, and strategic communications plans are structured and shared in a way that builds buy-in from organizational leaders.

Our communications strategies always start with great messaging and move to specific tactics and tools. Often, DG&Co. staff implements part or all of the completed strategic communications plan, but our clients retain full control over the recommendations and their implementation.

Recent Clients

Cool Culture

Cool Culture, a nonprofit that encourages low-income families to seize the limitless learning opportunities in New York City's arts and cultural institutions, was looking to better communicate their work to key audiences. DG&Co. created a cohesive communications plan that includes redefined messages, and recommendations for media outreach and online communications to educate and engage the public on Cool Culture’s programs and activities.

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges (NJCCC)

The New Jersey Council of County Colleges is a not-for-profit organization that provides statewide leadership for the advancement of New Jersey’s 19 community colleges. A state nationally recognized for its strong K-12 system, New Jersey’s community colleges provide educational and economic opportunity to more than 400,000 students.

Literacy Information and Communications Systems (LINCS)

LINCS is a national dissemination, resource gathering, and professional development hub for the literacy field created by the United State Department of Education’s Office of Vocational and Adult Education. It provides information on a wide variety of relevant topics, issues and resources online and through the LINCS Regional Resource Centers.

Science Friday

Science Friday is a weekly science talk show, broadcast live over public radio stations nationwide from 2-4pm Eastern time as part of NPR's 'Talk of the Nation' programming. Each week, the show focuses on science topics that are in the news and aims to bring an educated, balanced discussion to bear on the scientific issues at-hand. Panels of expert guests join Science Friday's host, Ira Flatow, a veteran science journalist, to discuss science - and to take questions from listeners during the call-in portion of the program.

Jobs for the Future

Jobs for the Future is a workforce development and education organization that identifies, develops and promotes new education and workforce strategies that help communities, states and the nation compete in a global economy. Founded in 1983, Jobs for the Future is based in Boston.

Pennsylvania WIC Program

The Pennsylvania WIC Program's mission is to improve the health of eligible pregnant women, new mothers and children by providing nutrition education, breastfeeding support, healthy foods and referrals to health and social programs during the critical stages of fetal and early childhood development.

Women's Community Revitalization Project

The Women's Community Revitalization Project is a community development organization that works with low-income women and their families in Philadelphia. WCRP develops housing and neighborhood facilities; provides supportive services; advocates for policy change; and honors leadership, dignity, and equity in Philadelphia's communities.

J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation

The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation is a philanthropic organization dedicated to educational reform in Idaho. Through its initiatives, the foundation funds scholarships for college-bound students and partners with junior high and high schools around the state to ensure young Idahoans embark on some form of post-secondary education.

Joyce Foundation - Shifting Gears Initiative

The Joyce Foundation's Shifting Gears initiative aims to improve access to higher education and workforce development skills for workers in five Midwestern states.

Seed Savers Exchange

Seed Savers Exchange strives to save North America's diverse, but endangered, garden heritage for future generations by building a network of people committed to collecting, conserving and sharing heirloom seeds and plants, while educating people about the value of genetic and cultural diversity.

Horizons National

Horizons National is a nonprofit organization that provides student enrichment programs aimed at addressing the achievement gap through innovative summer programs.

California Leadership Alliance for Student Success

The California Leadership Alliance for Student Success (CLASS) Initiative seeks to focus attention on leadership strategies and policies that must be central in California’s effort to increase successful outcomes for community college students. The initiative is funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the James Irvine Foundation.

American Friend Service Committee

The American Friend Service Committee is a 1947 Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient that was founded in 1917 to foster understanding and reconciliation through economic development, food security and education on public issues. The guiding principles of the organization are rested in the Quaker faith.

Universal Health Foundation of Connecticut – SustiNet Health Partnership

SustiNet is Connecticut’s innovative approach to securing affordable access to quality health care. It is a unique state strategy to expand access to quality health care coverage for Connecticut residents.

Partnership for Palliative Care

The Partnership for Palliative Care seeks to ensure that no American is denied quality of life by the serious symptoms of major illness. It is a new national organization that is spearheading a movement to expand palliative care across the health care system. Founded in 2008 by a group of national leaders in medicine, philanthropy and nursing, the Partnership for Palliative Care is building a four-pronged program that focuses on service expansion, research, advocacy and public education.

ArtsRising

ArtsRising is a collaborative initiative led by a partnership between Philadelphia Education Fund, Public Citizens for Children and Youth and Fleisher Art Memorial. Its mission is to improve and expand equitable access to arts education for all children in the Greater Philadelphia Region so that youth are better engaged in school and in their community, persistent through high school graduation, and prepared for post secondary opportunities and for the 21st Century Workforce.

Casey Family Services

Casey Family Services is a nonprofit child welfare agency based in Connecticut. Founded in 1976, it now operates in over seven states and its mission is to provide comprehensive services that support safe, stable and life-long family relationships for children and youth both in foster care and in the struggling communities in which it works.

Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce is an independent, nonprofit research and policy institute that studies the link between education, career qualifications and workforce demands. Specifically, the Center conducts research, engagement and outreach to policymakers and practitioners.

Living Cities

Living Cities is a philanthropic collaborative based in New York City and Washington, DC. Made up of 22 of the world's largest foundations and financial institutions, Living Cities strives to improve the lives of low-income people living in urban areas.