1. www.com-matters.org Reputation www.com-matters.org

2. Reputation  Your reputation is shaped and grown by the choices you make over time.  The ultimate goal is to make communication decisions that are clearly aligned to your mission and consistent over time.  Clarity and consistency are key, and knowing when to say no plays a big role, too. Call it brand equity, issue expertise, or reputation. It is the sum of earned and perceived credibility an organization holds around a set of issues.

3. www.com-matters.org Reputation www.com-matters.org Reputation 86% Percentage of survey respondents who agree that when foundations communicate about an issue it helps their grantees work more boldly.

4. www.com-matters.org Reputation www.com-matters.org Reputation 49% Percentage of survey respondents who feel that communications always or often helps to ensure that “progress made in program areas ‘sticks’ and leads to lasting change.”

5. www.com-matters.org Reputation www.com-matters.org Reputation 75% Percentage of survey respondents who agree that “without effective communications we could not raise the support we need (such as funding, partners, and good will).”

6. www.com-matters.org Reputation www.com-matters.org Reputation 68% Percentage of Fortune 500 CEOs who have absolutely no presence on social media.

7. www.com-matters.org Reputation “ “If we don’t tell our own story, someone else will, and they will get it wrong.” COMMUNICATION LEADER Private Foundation

8. www.com-matters.org Reputation “ “When our president and CEO was hired, she visited foundations of a similar asset size to find out, ‘If you could do it all over again, what would you do differently?’ The consistent message was, ‘Get communication right from the get-go. Tell your own story lest someone else tell it for you.’” COMMUNICATION LEADER Private Foundation

9. www.com-matters.org Reputation “ “We communicate because we want to get others excited about the work we are doing. We want public sector players to take notice, and we want to be seen as thought leaders in our issue areas.” EXECUTIVE LEADER Private Foundation

10. www.com-matters.org Reputation How do you earn your reputation?

11. www.com-matters.org Reputation What factors impact your reputation?

12. www.com-matters.org Reputation Who are the most important audiences to determine what your reputation is?