Social Change

Organizations that have a mission to change society for the better deserve our highest respect and support. We work to maximize these groups' potential by serving as advocates and advisors.

Case Study: Chicago Project for Violence Prevention (CPVP). Since CPVP's founding in 1999, Conlon Public Strategies has advanced the cutting-edge work of this anti-violence organization and its CeaseFire initiative. CPVP's unique strategy to reach out directly to those who are most likely to commit violence has resulted in shootings dropping as much as 67% in targeted neighborhoods. We have served as close advisers, identified new sources of funding, championed the group’s work throughout Chicago's civic community, built relationships with decision makers, assisted with strategic planning, helped create a governing board of directors, drafted organizational bylaws, and arranged for the pro bono services that led to the branding and logo of the CeaseFire program.

Case study: Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA). Conlon Public Strategies incubated this highly successful think tank that advocates progressive fiscal policies at the state level. We helped create the organization's core messages, shape its strategic direction, and recruit its executive director and many initial board members. We have also advocated on CTBA's behalf to state legislators, playing a key role in the passage of Illinois's Earned Income Tax Credit and participating in CTBA's successful campaign to retain the Illinois estate tax, saving the state hundreds of millions in revenue annually.

Case study: Women in Business, Politics, and Power. Two years in a row, Conlon Public Strategies organized a one-day symposium geared toward enhancing women's influence and effectiveness in business and politics. We articulated the event's core messages, developed its program, promoted it to the media, directed logistics, found corporate sponsors, and recruited guest speakers such as then-First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. More than 500 women attended the event each of the two years it took place.