Developing a Phased Approach to Strategic Communications and Thought Leadership
Our Challenge
The Gates Family Foundation has been investing in the people, communities and natural resources of Colorado for over 75 years. In 2024, Gates partnered with Barefoot PR on a project to align communications efforts with its five-year strategic plan and engage its internal team as thought leaders for the Foundation.
Our Solution
We began our work with an analysis of a staff survey to identify communications opportunities, storytelling priorities and the team’s capacity for supporting strategic communications. We also audited Gates’ owned platforms to evaluate their potential for engagement and return with key audiences. This period of Listening and Learning provided us with valuable insight on the issues and topic areas Gates’ staff had the most potential to leverage as thought leaders.
Our work resulted in a Strategic Communications Roadmap outlining tactics and suggested timing for progressively building up Gates’ communications efforts through 2024. It also included recommendations for the Gates team to use their capacity and expertise to inform and lead communications tactics that support the Foundation’s strategic objectives.
Results
Subject-matter expert recommendations
Strategic plan-aligned communications plan
Meet the Project Leads
Laura Schwinkendorf
Director of Strategy
Sarah Hogan
Co-Founder & Chief Purpose Officer
