The Challenge: A widely known and highly regarded local citizen had established a foundation to improve the health and well-being of young people. The effort was a noble success, in part, because of the founder’s prominence in the community. But what would happen if the founder died suddenly? Would the financial future of the foundation be in jeopardy?
The Strategy: The overall focus of the strategy was clear: To assure all stakeholders that the foundation was stable, prepared for the unexpected and able to continue the mission of the foundation without interruption. CMC worked with the foundation’s leadership to identify the key constituents, namely donors, board members, staff, community partners and the general public. Specific messages were drafted for each group that would be reinforced in all communication in the event of a grave illness or death. The messages emphasized the foundation’s endurance and viability in the face of adversity.
The Outcome: In addition to key messages, the CMC team prepared a detailed communications plan to guide the initial 48 hours following a crisis involving the foundation’s founder. Draft materials created ranged from a holding statement and press releases to internal emails and social media posts.