RWJF Communications Toolbox
This toolbox designed by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) is a compilation of resources to help organizations communicate effectively.
Communication Tools
Cross-sector Innovation Initiative: Environmental Scan Full Report
The Cross-sector Innovation Initiative (CSII) environmental scan highlights the roles that different sectors can play in collaboration, and discusses a continuum of collaboration and factors that facilitate or impede cross-sector collaboration. This tool was developed collaboratively by the Center for Sharing Public Health Services and PHNCI.
The Burning Questions
This presentation provides a framework for thinking about regionalization: what it is, its benefits, target audiences, and secondary audiences.
Creating a Proactive Communications Plan
This presentation provides a framework for thinking about and then developing an effective communications plan with messages that are compelling, concise, clear and consistent.
Building Partnerships to Advance Policy Objectives
This RWJF Connect Policymaker Outreach webinar focuses on finding ways to draw stakeholders together that are working in your policy space to build partnerships. Part of moving forward on any policy is not only identifying which policymakers have jurisdiction over your issue area, but also identifying which stakeholders are in your policy space. This session […]
Prioritization Matrix
A prioritization matrix can help an organization make decisions by systematically comparing choices through the selection, weighing, and application of criteria. This prioritization matrix can be used to: quickly surface basic disagreements, so disagreements can be resolved openly; force a team to narrow down solutions from all solutions to the best solutions, which are more […]
Strategic Storytelling
This three-page RWJF Connect Policymaker Outreach brief is about using your story to underscore the importance of your policy ask. A well-developed, purposeful story is an effective and compelling way to emotionally connect policymakers to your work and help them understand how your work improves the lives of their constituents. A good story can transform […]
Influencing Public Policy in the Digital Age
This thirty-four paged resource posted on the RWJF Connect Policymaker Outreach website is about what’s permissible for 501(c)(3)s, 501(c)(4)s, and 527s, in the context of social media, blogs, websites and other technologies. This publication was created to address the many questions nonprofit organizations have about advocacy in the new environment of dynamic digital communication. Available […]
Tips for Reaching Out to State and Local Officials
This two-page RWJF Connect Policymaker Outreach document provides information focused on preparing for successful meetings with your state and local policymakers. State and local officials are an important audience for your work — just as important as members of Congress. You can apply many of the same principles you used with members of your congressional […]
Structuring a Site Visit
This RWJF Connect Policymaker Outreach webinar introduces grantees to a framework for thinking about how to structure a site visit that will engage policymakers in their work. It’s great if you can get to Washington and talk to your Senator, but many grantees won’t be able to do that. What you can do is reach […]