Communications Institute
When we feel in our full agency, connected to a values-aligned network, and equipped with practical tools, we can shift the philanthropy ecosystem together. NCG cultivates offerings for philanthropic communications professionals and program officers each year that adjusts based on the timely needs of the sector.
About
Communications professionals, narrative strategists, and storytellers hold immense power and responsibility in shaping just futures. We can’t do this alone. When we feel in our full agency, connected to a values-aligned network, and equipped with practical tools, we can shift the philanthropy ecosystem together. NCG's Communications Institute works to bring an offering for philanthropic communications professionals each year that adjusts based on timely needs for the sector.
Mobilizing for Narrative Change: A Philanthropic Learning Series
NCG's 2025 offering for communications professionals, Mobilizing for Narrative Change: A Philanthropic Learning Series will ground participants in a shared understanding of narrative power building developed by practitioners in the field. We're excited to share ReFrame is the curriculum partner for the series and will lead the session content. ReFrame invests in people — strategists, creatives, leaders, and dreamers — developing the skills, acumen, and networks we need to advance just narratives at scale.
The guiding principles of the program are as follows:
- Agreement that power building and organizing are critical strategies in social change efforts
- Willingness to talk about power as it relates to narrative, organizing, policy, and advocacy
- Engagement in frank conversations about narrative strategy
Target Audience
- Members & Nonmembers: NCG members and nonmembers are invited to attend are different cost rates.
- Roles of Participants: While not required, we do recommend that each organization bring more than one participant from their organization to attend. We encourage one communications/narrative/marketing team members along with one programmatic/development/leadership team member.
Curriculum
Curriculum Goals
Over the course of these sessions, we will ground in a shared understanding of narrative power building developed by practitioners in the field. We will explore different narrative power building projects and the funding strategies that support them. And finally, we will learn from peers and work together to identify existing funding strategies and ideate on what is missing and needed to advance this critical strategy for social change.
This program seeks to lay the groundwork for the following:
- Shared philanthropic understanding and practice when funding narrative power building
- Groundwork for collaboration across philanthropic institutions to amplify narrative power building efforts
- Expanding the pool of resources and narrative funders who understand the importance of organizing and power building
Sessions
- Session 1: Narrative Power 101
- Session 2: Centering the Bay Area
- Session 3: Centering the State of California
- Session 4: Funder Models
Contact
Kayla Ballard, Senior Manager of Communications
For more information about NCG's Communications Institute contact: