Communications Network

The Communications Network connects, gathers, and informs leaders from the most influential foundations, nonprofits, and social sector consultancies across the globe. They manage a vibrant, diverse, and dedicated community of over 3,000 communicators, storytellers, strategists, designers, researchers, producers, and community builders. This X-Grant will support research to build out a clear picture of AI usage in the social sector; curate a collection of quality tools, practices, policies, resources, and case studies; and outline a vision for a dynamic digital resource to support foundation and nonprofit communicators in learning to work with the rapidly changing technologies that hold promise for amplifying and accelerating their impact.

The Communications Network is an affinity group for communications professionals and others within grantmaking institutions and the non-profit sector who responsible for communications or public affairs activities. Award funds will be used to provide salary support for the Communications Network staff and to support the educational, publishing, and convening activities of the group. The Communications Network helps funders apply the most appropriate practices and tools to develop and implement communications strategies that reach, and speak to, their intended audiences.

The Communications Network is a membership organization composed of nearly 500 communications professionals working in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. Formed nearly 20 years ago, it promotes the use of consistent, strategic communications as an integral part of effective philanthropy, and gives communications and media relations practitioners in philanthropy timely access to knowledge, expertise, practical advice, and guidance to improve their work.

In support of general operations (over three years).

To support outreach and educational activities.