In 2010, The Patterson Foundation, a $250-million private foundation with an unfettered charter, launched publicly by sharing its vision and approach to philanthropy with the world. Rather than having a grant cycle and focusing on a specific issue or geographic area, the foundation takes an innovative approach that strives to strengthen its community by creating new realities in philanthropy.

 

Who

The Patterson Foundation needed to communicate its untraditional approach by connecting with people within its community and peers in philanthropy. Without an issue or geographic focus, The Patterson Foundation launched to "do good and do it well" through more than 20 initiatives. 

 

What

Starting out as a communications coordinator and then progressing from an account manager to the lead communications consultant, I was part of every step of setting up The Patterson Foundation's communications processes -- both internal and external. I trained initiative consultants and partners on strategies and processes, armed everyone with talking points and brand guidelines, conducted social media presentations, blog trainings and digital media learning opportunities -- all in the name of bringing the foundation's impact to life in a clear and consistent way. 

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So What?

If you look at the numbers, this work resulted in more than 1.2 million collective impressions, followers, likes, retweets, pageviews, published blog posts and more since the foundation's launch in 2010. The real magic is in the positioning with partners and the attention to detail to ensure everyone --from the business office manager to the global partner--becomes an extension of The Patterson Foundation's mission, values and brand. 

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