Minnesota Council on Foundations Grantmaking Resources

 

Communications/Media Resources


Tips & Tools

  • Beyond the Jitters: When Foundations and the
    News Media Connect     (PDF, 24 pages)
    Urban Institute Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy
    This report presents key lessons learned from the Foundation Media Relations Project, a localized, experimental effort to boost media relations capabilities of five regional associations of grantmakers. The lessons are a primer for philanthropy leaders nationwide.
     
  • Communicating Key Messages About
    Grantmaking and Philanthropy
    MCF's summary of key messages to use when communicating about our field.
    Requires MCF member login.
     
  • Communications for Social Good
    The Foundation Center (PDF, 54 pages)
    This report provides grantmakers and nonprofits with an argument for integrating communications into programs as a means of advancing the philanthropic objectives. The report includes an overview of the evolution of communication practices in philanthropy and lessons learned from early innovators in the field.
     
  • Diversity Resource: Minnesota Ethnic and Community Media Directory, 2008
    The Twin Cities Media Alliance has published a list of community media in the Twin Cities, and ethnic media throughout the state of Minnesota.
         
  • MCF Media Relations Tips
    Excerpts from the Grantmaker Communications Manual.
     
  • Philanthropy Blogs
    Read what others are writing about in the blog world, and find tips and resources to start your own blog.
         
  • The Sixty-Second Guide to Working
    with the News Media
    Quick tips from Independent Sector for nonprofit staff and volunteers on building good media relations.
        
  • Website Tips
    Having a web presence is no longer just for organizations with specifically technical missions. A web presence is fairly easy and inexpensive to obtain, and it can be an invaluable tool. TechSoup's Web Building section will provide you with the tools and resources to build and host a website that will highlight your nonprofit organization's mission. TechSoup also offers tips on a wealth of other technology subjects and has a community forum where you can connect with others.
     
  • Web 2.0 for Grantmakers
    Wiki from Northern California Grantmakers with information about RSS, GIS mapping, online giving, podcasting, and much more. Read what other grantmakers have posted, and update the wiki with your own information.
     
  • Why Bad Ads Happen to Good Causes, and
    How to Ensure They Won't Happen to Yours
    Communications expert Andy Goodman offers useful resources and seven guiding principles on how to target public interest print ad campaigns, based on lessons learned from a 10-year Roper ASW study.
     
  • Writing an Effective Grantmaker News Release
    Some advice to keep in mind when writing news releases about your grantmaking activities and accomplishments.
    Requires MCF member login.
       
  • CommA
    A listserve for communications professionals from community foundations to share ideas, compare results, raise questions and work together.
       

Sample News Releases
Requires member login


Find More Information
  • The Communications Network
    www.comnetwork.org
    The Network, a national affinity group of communications professionals in philanthropy, seeks to promote communications as an essential and integral component of grantmaking.
     
  • Benton Foundation
    www.benton.org
    The foundation's mission is to articulate a public interest vision for the digital age and to demonstrate the value of communications for solving social problems. The foundation's site provides many resources on communications policy and practice.



 		 
MCF Member Communications Listserve
Keep in touch with your peers in communications! To sign up, send a blank e-mail to join-commnet@list.mcf.org. (An MCF staff member will review your request to subscribe to verify that you are a current MCF member before activating your account.)


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