Client Spotlight
West Central Initiative
West Central Initiative is rewriting the playbook for rural philanthropy, civic engagement, and systems-level change. Serving 82 communities in Minnesota across nine counties and White Earth Nation, WCI is more than a funder—it’s a convener, catalyst, and convulsive burst of creativity. From climate action to early childhood initiatives, WCI doesn’t just respond to needs—it anticipates them. With a communications plan rooted in the Sustainable Development Goals and powered by local storytelling and mini-campaigns, WCI is connecting people, place, and purpose like never before.
THE CHALLENGE
How do you unite a region spread across hundreds of miles—with diverse identities, economies, and dreams—into a shared sense of belonging, generosity, and action? How do you connect tactical giving campaigns with a bigger narrative of community prosperity? WCI needed a communications partner who could help them zoom in on urgent, seasonal asks while zooming out to showcase a grander vision. That’s where BowerComm came in.
OUR APPROACH
When we started working together in 2021, we first worked on an overall brand concept and communications plan. Since then, we’ve implemented a variety of campaigns:
Annual Review Production
Content development and design for lengthy annual reports for the past three years.
Mini Campaign Infrastructure
Developed and implemented a rolling schedule of short, topical campaigns—including estate gifts, DAFs, small business loans, rural democracy, Live Wide Open, and climate action.
Produced materials for each campaign including email sequences, social ads, donor letters, newspaper ads, and videos.
Managed digital media, including Meta, Google/YouTube, and streaming.
Development Communications
“Start a Ripple” campaign concept and materials.
Built customized pathways for new donors, legacy prospects, and fundholders.
Designed templates and collateral pieces for development team to use in donor meetings.
Special Initiatives
Messaging and materials for Rural Democracy initiative.
Design for a 40-page regional “almanac.”
THE OUTCOME
More than doubled website traffic in one year
Generated over 100 leads for planned giving
Generated small business loan inquiries to the point we had to turn off the campaign to handle the volume
"Working with BowerComm has been a game changer for us. Before, we struggled to find a communications partner who truly understood the unique needs of a community foundation. Their team not only grasped our mission but brought creative and strategic solutions that saved us time and delivered results. Lori and the team are rockstars—innovative, efficient, and fun to work with. If you’re looking for a partner who gets things done, I highly recommend them."
- Sarah Casey
Director of Strategic Communications, West Central Initiative