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As a Dogwood grantee, we know you may want to share this news to help promote your great work. This toolkit will help you understand the best way to talk about your Dogwood support and provide some sample tools that you can download and make your own.
We want to ensure that YOUR story takes center stage, even when announcing a grant you received from Dogwood Health Trust. To help make that happen, we suggest the following guidelines as you prepare a news release or announcement.
If you choose to publicize any grant awards secured through the Leverage Fund, we would appreciate the inclusion of the following language: “The creation of the successful application for this award was supported by the Leverage Fund at Dogwood Health Trust.”
Per your grant agreement, we would like to know in advance when you plan to publicize your support from us. Please email [email protected]. Thank you!
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. With a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness, Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.
This press release template, which focuses on a housing-related grant and is only meant to serve as an example, demonstrates how to structure a press release to highlight your organization’s program(s) along with Dogwood Health Trust’s investment.
PRESS RELEASE: Month XX, 2021
Media Contact:
ABC Organization Expands Affordable Housing Options in Western North Carolina with XYZ Project
CITY, N.C. – Your opening paragraph will contain your organization’s name, the purpose of the press release (i.e., what you are announcing) and a “hook” (i.e., a problem you seek to solve). Also in the opening paragraph, it’s a good idea to link to your website and to Dogwood’s website.
Example:
Affordable housing is in short supply in Western North Carolina. In fact, more than xx% of residents are cost burdened, meaning they are paying more than 30% of their household income for housing. ABC Organization is pleased to announce that thanks to support from Dogwood Health Trust, our region has received a tremendous boost.
A quote from the organization’s leader is a good 2nd paragraph to personalize the press release and introduce the main contact for the organization or project.
Example:
“Dogwood Health Trust’s grant will increase our capacity to serve an additional 500 individuals, which is an increase of more than 25%,” said Executive Director of ABC Organization. “We are grateful for Dogwood’s commitment to help us address the disadvantages created by a lack of affordable housing in Western North Carolina.”
The 3rd and 4th paragraphs need to provide background about your organization, outline the specifics of the program you are announcing, and explain the problem(s) you are addressing. As a suggestion, it’s good to include statistics and concrete data as well as aspirational ideas to tell your story.
Examples:
The paragraph after your program detail is a great place for a quote from Dogwood Health Trust so we can publicly support the great work you are doing. While there is no pressure or requirement to do so, if you would like to include a quote from Dogwood, please contact Eric Holt at [email protected].
In the last parapgraph, you may want to include an impactful quote depending on the nature of the press release.
Example:
“Having this infusion of resources from Dogwood Health Trust means that xx units will be developed much more quickly and efficiently than we ever could have done alone,” said Executive Director.
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At the very end of your release, add your boilerplate (general, evergreen information about your organization. If you quote Dogwood Health Trust, please add our boilerplate below.
About [YOUR ORGANIZATION]
Insert your organizational boilerplate.
About Dogwood Health Trust
Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation based in Asheville, North Carolina with the sole purpose of dramatically improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities of 18 counties and the Qualla Boundary in Western North Carolina. Dogwood Health Trust focuses on innovative and equitable ways to address the many factors that contribute to overall health and wellbeing. With a focus on housing, education, economic opportunity and health and wellness, Dogwood Health Trust works to create a Western North Carolina where every generation can live, learn, earn and thrive, with dignity and opportunity for all, no exceptions. To learn more, please visit www.dht.org.
Address:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
Mailing:
890 Hendersonville Rd
Asheville, NC 28803
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Support programs and networks that reduce deaths, treat addiction, and prevent first use
Help reduce disparities based on race, location, education and income factors
Invest in integrated heath care with seamless connections to supportive services
Support communities that promote healthy living and resiliency and help mitigate the impact of trauma, isolation and stress on individuals and families, especially those experiencing poverty
Support a well-funded, sustainable, competitive entrepreneur and small business ecosystem throughout the region
Help build a regional economic ecosystem that supports increased creation/retention of jobs and business ownership
Help build a skilled workforce with the knowledge and technical abilities to excel in a wide range of industry employment opportunities that provide a competitive, sustainable wage
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive, county-by-county data set that paints a full picture of work readiness, economic development and entrepreneurial needs and opportunities specific to Western North Carolina
Work in tandem with Economic Opportunity Strategic Priority to invest in career readiness at the community college and university levels
Support K-12 learning experiences with the resources and sustainability to provide an excellent academic and social-emotional education, so that all students graduate ready for college or career
Invest in an improved early childhood education ecosystem with the resources and sustainability to provide developmentally appropriate, affordable and accessible education and care to support ages birth to five, so that all children in WNC enter kindergarten ready to learn
Source, analyze and share a comprehensive set of publicly available data that provides a regularly updated, county-by-county picture of access, workforce and student outcomes in early childhood education and K-12 education specific to Western North Carolina
Loans, guarantees, and other financial tools to leverage funding opportunities
Increase affordable housing for lowest-income individuals and families
Support age-appropriate resources in affordable and workforce units, rental and owned
Invest in housing with sustainable supports for physical and mental health and wellbeing
Support healthy and safe revitalizations that work against displacement and gentrification, preserve home ownership and create generational wealth.
