College Access Foundation of California

College Access Foundation of California is the state’s largest education financing foundation, with the mission of ensuring greater access to higher education for deserving but disadvantaged students. Established in 2005, the foundation provides more than $9 million a year in grants to community-based organizations that help students prepare for, enroll in and complete their degrees at institutions of higher learning.

After analyzing the education financing landscape and the potential for effectiveness of the foundation’s identity, Hershey|Cause shepherded the foundation through a name change that more accurately and memorably reflects College Access Foundation’s mission. We also created a new organizational identity, print materials and a Web site, as well as a messaging framework that emphasizes the organization’s primary mission of ensuring educational access for all. Online traffic and grant submissions have increased dramatically since the launch of the new name, updated website and public relations outreach.

• Organizational identity
• Communications consultation, audits and plans
• Materials design and development
• New media
• Positioning, frames and messaging
• Public relations