Why is support for communications necessary?

Within the social sector, it can be difficult for some organizations to effectively communicate the primary goal of an initiative. Funders can provide support to overcome those communications challenges.

For example, in December 2016, Moses Taylor Foundation awarded a grant for the Community Based Cancer Screening Navigation Program at Northeast Regional Cancer Institute (NRCI) in Scranton, PA. As our relationship with NRCI developed throughout the initial grant year, we recognized NRCI was facing the challenge of effectively communicating the public health benefit of cancer screenings. Other potential funders understood the program to be about “detecting cancer” rather than recognizing the value of the screening itself. If NRCI was not reporting a high number of cancer detections, did that mean the program was a failure?

In response to this, we connected NRCI with an experienced communications team and provided some additional funding, which resulted in an NRCI brochure that conveys the value of the Patient Navigation Screening Program and effectively communicates how the facilitation of cancer screenings can save lives.

Why is support for staffing needed?

Moses Taylor Foundation staff and board made what we felt was an innovative investment in supporting a two-year project at Saint Joseph’s Center in Scranton to hire a staff development manager. The Center, like many organizations in the northeast Pennsylvania region, struggles with offering competitive wages and development opportunities for its professionals, who work with children and adults diagnosed with intellectual disabilities or developmental delays. This grant allowed the Center to create a new staff position responsible for developing and implementing a direct support professional/program assistant career path and mentoring program for its employees, which addresses ongoing training needs for developing skills and competencies necessary for professional growth.

This newly established program has resulted in expanded staff engagement, communication, and innovation that helps the Center best serve the individuals it supports and cares for.

Why is support for fundraising needed?

Many organizations do not have the liberty to invest in developing a fundraising plan or beginning an endowment campaign. It is often difficult to take a step back to consider the bigger picture when day-to-day operations often take priority over long-term strategies.

Read the full article about funding for overhead by Jeff Smith at The Center for Effective Philanthropy.