How do you use grant communication to change policy?

1 Define your policy objectives

Before you start communicating your grant outcomes, you need to have a clear idea of what policy change you want to achieve, and why. This will help you tailor your messages, identify your target audiences, and measure your progress. You can use a logic model or a theory of change to map out your policy objectives, and how they are linked to your grant activities, outputs, outcomes, and impacts. You should also consider the context and timing of your policy environment, and how it may affect your opportunities and challenges.

2 Identify your target audiences

Once you have defined your policy objectives, you need to identify who are the key decision-makers and influencers that can help you achieve them. These may include legislators, regulators, administrators, advocates, experts, journalists, or other stakeholders. You should research their interests, needs, preferences, and sources of information, and segment them into different groups based on their level of awareness, influence, and engagement. You should also prioritize your audiences based on their relevance and potential impact on your policy objectives.

3 Craft your key messages

After you have identified your target audiences, you need to craft your key messages that convey the main points and benefits of your grant project, and how it relates to your policy objectives. Your messages should be clear, concise, consistent, and credible, and they should address the questions and concerns of your audiences. You should also use evidence, stories, and visuals to support your messages, and to make them more memorable and persuasive. You should also adapt your messages to different formats, channels, and contexts, depending on your communication goals and strategies.

4 Choose your communication channels

Next, you need to choose the most effective communication channels to reach your target audiences, and to deliver your key messages. You should consider the advantages and disadvantages of different types of channels, such as print, online, social media, broadcast, or face-to-face, and how they align with your communication objectives, budget, and resources. You should also use a mix of channels to increase your reach and impact, and to reinforce your messages across different platforms. You should also monitor and evaluate the performance and feedback of your communication channels, and adjust them as needed.

5 Build your communication network

Another important aspect of grant communication is to build your communication network, which consists of the people and organizations that can help you amplify your messages, and advocate for your policy objectives. You should identify and engage with potential partners, allies, and champions that share your vision and values, and that have access and influence over your target audiences. You should also establish and maintain relationships with them, and provide them with relevant and timely information, resources, and support. You should also acknowledge and appreciate their contributions, and seek their feedback and input.

6 Evaluate your communication impact

Finally, you need to evaluate your communication impact, and how it contributes to your policy objectives. You should use both quantitative and qualitative methods to measure and analyze your communication outputs, outcomes, and impacts, such as reach, engagement, awareness, attitudes, behavior, and policy change. You should also use indicators and benchmarks to compare your results with your goals and expectations, and to identify your strengths and weaknesses. You should also report and communicate your findings and recommendations, and use them to improve your communication strategies and practices.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?