New Practice Division Will Focus on Capacity Support for Grantees, Foundation-Led Initiatives, Influence and Thought Leadership, and Institutional Communications
Press Release – July 17, 2018 (New York) – SKDKnickerbocker (SKDK), the 2018 Holmes Report North American Public Affairs Agency of the Year, announced today the formation of a practice division dedicated to working with the country’s leading philanthropic organizations. The Foundations and Philanthropy Practice will provide deep experience and strategic insight into how foundations can best leverage their influence and expertise on behalf of their grantees, major initiatives, and institutional mission.
The practice will deliver communications capacity support for grantee portfolios, develop and execute communications plans for major foundation-led initiatives, provide general support for foundation communications offices, and develop influence and thought leadership strategies for program officers and executive leadership.
“Private philanthropy is the catalyst that brings innovative solutions to scale and encourages additional funders to engage,” said Anita Dunn, partner in SKDK’s D.C. public affairs practice. “SKDK has the best team to help Foundations achieve their strategic communications goals.”
Mike Morey, managing director at SKDK’s New York public affairs practice, leads the firm’s philanthropy work with The Rockefeller Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and has spearheaded the formation of this exciting new practice area.
“Foundations commit billions of dollars a year to grantees and initiatives designed to tackle some of the most perplexing global and national challenges,” Morey said. “These investments bring innovative solutions to scale and encourage other funders to engage. But to truly create sustainable, systemic change that solves these global challenges, foundations need to amplify their own work and that of their grantees. That expertise is what SKDK brings to the table.”
SKDK has been at the forefront of this effort as a strategic communications partner to some of the country’s most influential philanthropic organizations. The firm has unparalleled experience working with foundations whose diverse program divisions include social justice, arts and culture, hunger, equity in education, democracy building, climate, resilience, and more. Based on years of work in the sector, SKDK understands the diverse perspective on how to build and strengthen institutional brand and reputation, communicate the work of grantees, and engage in field building.
About SKDKnickerbocker:
SKDKnickerbocker (SKDK) is one of the top communications and political consulting firms in the country and brings unparalleled strategic communications experience to Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, philanthropic organizations and labor unions, as well as political committees and candidates. With offices in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and Albany, SKDK offers strategic support on how to manage a crisis, protect a brand, advocate an issue or win an election. The influential Holmes Report once again named SKDK as the North America Public Affairs Agency of the Year in 2018, following wins in 2015 and 2016.
To learn more about SKDK’s Foundations and Philanthropy Practice, visit our website at http://www.skdknick.com/our-services/foundations.
