Work Highlights
Below are a few examples of how we have helped clients pause, listen, and adapt their communication.
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Reframing Public Perception of the Nonprofit Sector in Tennessee
Client: Tennessee Nonprofit Network​
The Challenge
Nonprofits across Tennessee were navigating growing public skepticism about the sector’s effectiveness and role, compounded by unfavorable national perception trends. TNN sought a clear, data-informed strategy to proactively strengthen public trust and narrative coherence statewide.
The Approach
We led a series of regional focus groups with nonprofit leaders across Tennessee to surface shared challenges, regional nuance, and narrative opportunities. These qualitative insights were layered with national public-perception data from the National Council of Nonprofits. Together, this analysis informed a comprehensive statewide messaging and media strategy.​
The Result
The final plan included:
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A Tennessee-specific narrative framework
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Paid media and earned-media strategy recommendations
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Guidance for nonprofit media training and spokesperson development
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Regionalized recommendations as appropriate
The strategy was presented to Tennessee funders in the fall of 2025 and TNN received the full initial request. They are currently working on a matching round and are well on their way to meeting that goal by April 2026.
Positioning Youth Voices as a Strategic Differentiator
Client: Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA
The Challenge
The Center for Scholars & Storytellers at UCLA (CSS) sits at the intersection of research, entertainment, and social impact. As the organization grew, the team sought to more clearly articulate its unique role. One thing consistently heard from clients and collaborators was the value they brought by bringing young people into the mix as active contributors shaping research, storytelling, and partnerships.
The Approach
We partnered with the CSS team on positioning, message development, and narrative strategy to clarify and elevate youth as co-creators as a core point of difference. This work aligned internal stakeholders around a shared identity and informed external messaging used across partnerships, visibility efforts, and strategic initiatives. This reinforced CSS’s role as a trusted bridge between scholars, storytellers, and young people.
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The Result
The refined positioning strengthened CSS’s visibility and resonance with collaborators across academia, media, and philanthropy. By clearly naming youth partnership as a strategic asset, not just a programmatic add-on, the organization sharpened its identity. This shift delivered deepened cross-sector relationships and created a stronger foundation for future research and storytelling collaborations that have driven impact in youth media.
Clarifying Impact and Strengthening the Case for Investment
Client: KC Healthy Kids
The Challenge
As KC Healthy Kids’ programs and policy work expanded, the organization struggled to clearly articulate its impact to funders and community partners. The breadth of its work spanned policy, food systems, early childhood, and community health which made it difficult to convey a simple, compelling value proposition.
The Approach
We analyzed the organization’s portfolio of services and outcomes data, conducted stakeholder interviews, and layered it with regional health inequities research to clarify a unifying narrative. This resulted in a concise positioning statement—KC Healthy Kids connects communities to close health gaps. The new positioning was supported by documenting clear stories of impact, which included testimonials and regional reach across Kansas and Missouri.
The Result
For the first time, staff and board members shared confidence in describing the organization’s work and impact. The refined positioning and impact storytelling directly supported the creation of KC Healthy Kids’ “Million Dollar Video,” contributing to its selection as a MacKenzie Scott Yield Giving Award recipient. The funding enabled expanded program reach and continued investment in strategic communications to better serve the community.
Improving Access and Reducing Stigma for Mental Health Care in the Ozarks
Client: Burrell Behavioral Health
The Challenge
Following the sudden loss of its founder, Burrell Behavioral Health entered a period of leadership transition while simultaneously launching a federally funded pilot under the Excellence in Mental Health Care Act. The organization sought to reestablish a welcoming public identity, reduce stigma, improve workforce recruitment and retention, and expand access to care across the Ozarks.
The Approach
We conducted market and industry analysis to inform a full organizational rebrand, including a new website and inclusive, patient-centered marketing materials. This process included an internal and external listening phase to drive decisions. Following the analysis it became clear that internal communications were as critical as external. We partnered with executive leadership on internal communications, leadership development, merger and acquisition business cases, and a regional public-relations strategy focused on stigma reduction and community trust.
The Result
Following the relaunch, Burrell experienced a 30% increase in referrals. New partnerships with school districts brought behavioral health services directly into communities, while strategic acquisitions expanded service coverage and provider capacity. Recruitment and retention improved as clinicians increasingly sought affiliation with the revitalized brand, supported by the launch of Burrell’s internal BE WELL employee engagement program.