Application 10.3

Press Release

Overview:

Congratulations are in order – you have received the grant that you spent so much time preparing. Well done! Although you have already sent a thank you email and a formal thank you letter signed by the Executive Dir of your organization, it is time to continue the celebration through a press release. The benefit of a press release that follows grant funding can been a boon for an agency. The public recognition can create a buzz and a sense of excitement that results in increased awareness about the program or cause, increase credibility because the cause and/or program received funding, and lead to further engagement by key players and the public – a desire for people to want to get involved. A press release can also attract the attention of future funders and can assist in fundraising due to the increased publicity. A press release can also help with donor relations in that the funding organization will be recognized for their important contribution to the cause and/or program.

A strong press release starts with a headline that will capture the attention of readers. The headline should be compelling and capture the essence of the grant and its importance. The introduction should provide an overview of the grant, source of funding, and info about the organization receiving the grant. Key details should be infused into the release as you elaborate on the purpose of the grant. The addition of testimonials and quotes can be an effective way to humanize the initiative and they also bring a level of credibility. As the document is drafted, ensure facts and various types of data are used to enhance creditably and provide context. End with a brief paragraph that provides info about your organization, mission, and achievements. The final step after editing is to strategically distribute the press release to media outlets, social media, and websites.

REACH Weber press release example.

Assignment:

You have been awarded a grant from the Elysian foundation. Using the information on how to write a release from the information above, draft a document that could be used to share the great news about being awarded a grant.