NCG Communications Series | Part 1: How Can Foundations Work With Their Grantees to be Effective Communicators?

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How Can Foundations Work With Their Grantees to be Effective Communicators is part of NCG's 2012 Communications Series. Learn more >>

NCG is pleased to present the 2012 Communications Program Series. Developed and presented in partnership with the Communications Network, this 3-part series has been designed to both build the capacity of program staff to make effective use of communications strategies and to promote a greater awareness within foundations of how communications contribute to advancement of both program goals and mission. Foundation executives, program and communications staff can all benefit from participating in one, two, or all three programs in this series.

About This Program

Many foundations have invested considerable money and time into training programs for their grantees. There's no question these programs have been well received and those who've taken part have appreciated the chance the learn more about how to be an effective communicator.
 
A more fundamental question, though, is do these programs work? Eric Brown will present why The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation has decided to invest in training programs and what they've learned from its assessment about how to make these programs effective.
 
Key questions to be addressed: 

• What are the key elements for effective grantee communications training?
• Who are the right candidates for the training?
• What needs to happen afterwards 

Come learn why it's important to invest in your grantees' communications efforts and hear how to do so. We encourage you to bring communications and program staff to this program.
 
Hewlett Foundation Performing Arts Program Officer Julie Fry will also be on hand to talk about how her grantees have used communications training to strengthen their organizations.

Presenter

Eric Brown has been the Communications Director for the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation since 2003. He is a member of the board of directors of the Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers, as well as the Communications Network, an organization that works to advance good communications practices in philanthropy.
Eric has also served as the communications director at the Center for a New American Dream, a nonprofit organization in the Washington, D.C., area, and press secretary and speechwriter for Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, a seven-term member of Congress from New York. As a freelance political media consultant, Eric produced television and radio ads from 1996 to 2002 for U.S. Senate, Congressional, and statewide campaigns for Murphy Putnam Media, a firm based in the Washington DC area. He is also a contributing author of Take Back Your Time (2003, Berrett-Koehler).

He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of California at Berkeley, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

Target Audience

This program is free and open to all NCG and Communications Network members. Foundation executives, program staff and communications staff are all encouraged to attend.