Jesuits of the California Province
Challenge
In January 2004 the Jesuits of the California Province established its first development office — a challenge that requires discrete communications strategies for different audiences. Administrators told us about this Province’s distinguishing features: its Jesuits are younger than those of the other nine U.S. provinces, it serves a more multicultural people, its commitment to Jesuit-lay partnership is strong and tangible and it has gotten involved in ministries that are very different from the norm. Yet the operations of the Provincial headquarters were virtually unknown by its primary constituents.
Solution
Our communications audit focused on coordinating the new Province brand across electronic, print and direct mail vehicles and events and provided a development mailflow calendar. Mission magazine, working in conjunction with a newly redesigned website and quarterly e-newsletters, projects the Province as people experience it, not simply a regional structure, but as the connective fiber between people, ministries and cultures.
Results
The branding effort has proved to be effective in strengthening connections with benefactors and colleagues — lay and religious alike. The website is also helping to rekindle relationships. One of its most popular features is the “Find a Jesuit” tool, which allows readers to get in touch with a Jesuit of the California Province via e-mail request. The website, www.jesuitscalifornia.org, is now seeing more than 1,000 visitors per day.
Zehno took the time to fully understand the mission and vision of our organization.
They absorbed our values and philosophy by listening and asking good questions. Zehno leveraged its professional experience and expertise to create a product that is innovative, user-friendly, and responsive to our needs.
Bill Masterson,Provincial Assistant for Advancement
