Lessons Learned from Putting Grantees First
Edward W. Hazen Foundation
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Fund for Inclusive Recovery
Overview
Seattle Foundation ignites powerful, rewarding philanthropy to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. As a community foundation, it works to advance equity, shared prosperity, and belonging throughout the region.
Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic made the harsh realities that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities have faced for centuries impossible to ignore. As a result, Seattle Foundation launched a pooled, community-led fund to meet the needs of people most impacted by the pandemic.
The Fund for Inclusive Recovery aims to raise $50 million by 2026. Since the Fund’s conception in 2021, Minerva Strategies has led efforts to communicate about the Fund’s goals, how it works, and how community can be involved.
Work
The Minerva team built on our previous engagement with the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund and conducted a series of interviews and desk review of materials for the Fund for Inclusive Recovery. After identifying local BIPOC community members as the primary audience, we worked closely with the Foundation to develop and execute a communication plan that centers community.
Result
Minerva worked with the Foundation to craft the Fund’s core messaging. Our team then created a series of communication materials around the Fund’s announcement, including a visual identity, language for a landing page, a blog, and a press release. We also partnered with the Mariners Care Foundation to write a jointly authored opinion piece for The Seattle Times.
Minerva’s efforts to raise awareness about the Fund for Inclusive Recovery have been just one aspect of a multifaceted and long-term relationship Seattle Foundation. Our work has ranged from the announcement of CEO and President Alesha Washington to ongoing communications around the and other special initiatives.
We have partnered with the Foundation to craft dozens of blogs, expand their social media following, and secure more than 80 media stories including coverage in New York Times, Fortune, PBS Newshour, Chronicle of Philanthropy, Seattle Times, Puget Sound Business Journal, and KUOW (Seattle NPR).