We are the people behind the people at the forefront of social change.

The Wakeman Agency helps nonprofits, foundations, and socially responsible companies leverage the power of strategic communications in pursuit of social change.

We are the best communications partner for organizations seeking:

Trusted counsel and advisory for communications planning and execution.
Earned media campaigns that elevate brand prominence and drive action.
Narrative, foresight, strategy, and implementation to advance mission-driven causes.
Field building communications for foundations and nonprofit networks.

Organizational lexicons and shared language.
Thought leadership development to elevate organizational expertise and positioning.
Crisis communications and reputation management.
Event planning to maximize fundraising and donor engagement.

The Wakeman Agency started more than two decades ago as a public relations agency for nonprofits. Building on those early wins, we have come to understand the power of communications to engage with audiences, shape perception, and catalyze action. Learn more about our services on our Expertise page.

What’s New

In the Media

Check out our CEO, Vanessa Wakeman, on Fund the People: A Podcast with Rusty Stahl, where she discusses Narrative Resilience and the importance of building communications infrastructure to shape the narratives that influence how people understand our organizations, communities, and democracy.

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Dr. Carmen Rojas, president and CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation, believes that the government is still the most powerful vehicle we have to improve people’s lives. In this episode of the Social Change Diaries podcast, Dr. Rojas and Vanessa discuss how that means investing in the shared humanity elevated through community power, advancing racial justice as a foundational underpinning of democracy, and ensuring that philanthropic resources are actively and 100% aligned with the urgency of the challenges communities face. The conversation brings to light the notion that “we the people” means WE are those people and the transformative power of approaching today’s profound challenges from that perspective.

Listen Here →

Work in Action

Discover how our unique capabilities and methodologies create impact and ignite action.

Building Communications Strategies for Uncertain Times

Case Study: Successful communications for field building by foundations

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The Path to A Million Dollars in Gala Revenue

What does it take to scale gala revenues to $1M?

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Testimonials

The Wakeman Agency transformed Day One’s Gala into a platform for influence, elevating visibility, clarifying institutional voice, and exceeding fundraising goals. Their strategic, communications-informed approach lifted operational burden, aligned leadership, and amplified the mission, combining professionalism, creativity, and responsiveness to deliver exceptional outcomes for events and organizational impact”.

Stephanie Nilva

Founder
– Day One

The Wakeman Agency excels at translating complex priorities into compelling narratives, strengthening institutional voice, and guiding high-impact work with clarity. Their strategic counsel and media expertise helped AFI amplify global financial inclusion efforts, elevate visibility, and build influence, all while maintaining credibility and delivering responsive, practical guidance in high-pressure moments”.

Monika Lahjner

Former Head of Communications, Media Relations & Events Management
– Alliance for Financial Inclusion

The Wakeman Agency took the time to understand our organization and a growing list of programs to identify how to effectively tell the stories of our work and the people that we serve with dignity and respect. Their expertise in storytelling, media engagement, and out-of-the-box strategies amplified awareness, secured extensive coverage, and positioned the organization as a city-wide leader in social services and economic mobility.

Liane Paonessa

Former Associate Vice President of Communications
– United Way of New York City

The Wakeman Agency led a rigorous, organization-wide Lexicon Project that transformed how we align language with our values. Through research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic insight, they created a dynamic, evolving resource that clarified our voice, strengthened positioning, and empowered more intentional, culturally competent communications across our global organization.

Sam Mayer

Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships
– The END Fund

The Wakeman Agency helped us clarify our mission and articulate our impact with renewed confidence through the Lexicon Project. Their thoughtful, structured approach translated complex dynamics into actionable insights, equipping our team with shared language and sustainable tools to move from reflection to implementation—focused, energized, and aligned with our mission.

Kristy Aurand

Chief Development Officer
– Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County