Wallace Foundation Integrated Marketing Case Study

HELPING
FIGHT SUMMER
LEARNING
LOSS

MAXIMIZING THE IMPACT OF SUMMER LEARNING, FOR EDUCATORS AND STUDENTS

The Wallace Foundation partnered with the RAND Corporation and five urban school districts to conduct the largest study ever exploring whether voluntary summer learning programs can improve educational outcomes, especially for low-income, minority youth. Crosby developed a comprehensive marketing program to communicate about the study with key stakeholders and to maximize student participation.

PRACTICE AREAS

Nonprofits & Causes

SERVICES

winning the support of stakeholders

A study this large, including a randomized controlled trial, requires the support of school board members, administrators, principals, teachers, and parents. We developed messaging and communications tools to help stakeholders understand the study.

connecting with families in the community

We worked closely with each school district to develop and implement plans for recruiting children who could benefit most. We created a full range of materials for reaching and engaging parents, including videos capturing the stories of students.

communicating the findings

Research data can be complex and easily misunderstood. We developed messaging and materials, including a video, to help The Wallace Foundation and the participating districts accurately convey the first stage of the findings and their implications.

equipping school districts to tell their story

Taking an innovation like voluntary summer learning programs to scale requires community support. In addition to strategic planning, we provided technical assistance and tools that helped the districts build partnerships with community-based organizations and members of the business community.

program results

applications doubled

Each of the participating school districts more than doubled the numbers of children who applied

no-shows decreased

The number of children who signed up but didn’t attend significantly decreased

positive media coverage

Media reports about the first stage of findings were accurate and favorable

What can we
inspire for you?

Let’s make a difference together.