Since this is a blog the issue of net neutrality is one that I am following. Here’s a great graphic with 15 facts about net neutrality.
(h/t to Social Media Graphics for posting this on their blog)
The Center on Philanthropy & Public Policy has just released a first of its kind report showing how foundations are using Communications as part of their Public Policy strategies.
“How Foundations Use Communications to Advance their Public Policy Work,” conducted by James M. Ferris, Marcia Sharp, and Hilary Harmssen, focuses on the role of communications and the implications for foundation practice. Based on an exploration of the experience of senior communications officers in 18 of the country’s largest foundations, it provides a set of findings rich with implications for current communications practice.
According to the report, foundations use 10 different strategies to support their public policy goals:
building communications support into grant budgets for larger programs
giving grants or contracts specifically for communications
offering communications capacity-building to grantees
training program officers on communications so they can work better with their grantees
reaching out directly to the media
co-branding and promoting research studies and other products
speaking out directly
acting as conveners
consciously building brands to help support policy goals
We at NCG have already noticed this trend within our own membership. For example, The Women’s Foundation of California uses their blog to discuss the effects of public policy on women and girls throughout the state; the California HealthCare Foundation uses Twitter to raise awareness around healthcare reform; and most recently the Tides Foundation launched its Civil Discourse Fund to “foster civil discourse and dialogue among those who may disagree about public matters.”
According to the report, the days are of foundations speaking through their grantees are over. Foundations are developing their own voices and adding them to the public dialogue.
Download a copy of The Center for Philanthropy & Public Policy’s “How Foundations Use Communications to Advance Their Public Policy Work” online.
Read the Philanthropy Journal article “Funders Tie Communications to Policy Work” that inspired this post online.
(h/t Philanthropy Journal)
Already this Monday morning I’ve come across some really interesting reads.
Social Media
“A Creative Way to Nurture a Blog”. Nonprofit consultant Marion Conway offers tips to beginner bloggers on how to write at least 7 posts a month.
“Money and Mission”. The Nonprofit Finance Fund launches a new blog on The Chronicle of Philanthropy website.
Social Innovation
“Let’s Hear Those Ideas”. The Economist on how the U.S. and British goverments are partnering with social entrepreneurs to solve societal problems.
Environment
“A Global Graveyard for Dead Computers in Ghana”. Powerful photo essay that you should see before you upgrade to a new computer.
Corporate Grantmaking
“#csr Daily”. New Twitter newspaper featuring corporate social responsibility news now available.