The Hatcher Group is a public affairs firm that connects nonprofits and foundations to policymakers and the media. We focus exclusively on progressive policy issues and work to advance our clients' agendas for social change.

We strengthen and broaden the reach of client organizations by carefully crafting their messages and by connecting their research, experience and insights to key audiences who shape public policy. These audiences may include state and federal elected officials, advocates, policy analysts, opinion leaders and the media. We implement communications strategies at the national, state and local levels.

Located just outside Washington, D.C., we draw on our extensive backgrounds in government, the media and the private sector to deliver our clients' messages in the most effective way possible. Our staff has expertise in issues related to tax and social policy, low-income families, youth at risk, education and early learning, community development and international health and human rights.

View Hatcher Group informational materials

POLICY BRIEFING
June 2008
On June 13, The Hatcher Group organized and moderated a Capitol Hill policy briefing on The Brooking Institution’s new EITC report: “Metro Raise: Boosting the Earned Income Tax Credit to Help Metropolitan Workers and Families.” The panel, which was comprised of experts from the Hill, state advocacy organizations, and the United Kingdom, discussed the economic and societal benefits to expanding the EITC to help more low-income workers.
Read the report
Read the press release
Read the Philadelphia Inquirer's Editorial

HATCHER GROUP BLOG
May 2008
The Hatcher Group has launched a new blog that focuses on online outreach for non-profits and foundations.
Visit The Hatcher Group Blog

CONGRESSIONAL FIELD HEARING
April 2008
The Hatcher Group is working with the No Child Left Inside Coaliton to promote environmental education legislation known as the No Child Left Inside Act. As part of these efforts, The Hatcher Group publicized a House committee field hearing in April. The hearing included testimony from Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley and leading environmental education experts.
Read the press release
Go to the No Child Left Inside Coalition website

OUTREACH CAMPAIGN
April 2008
On April 1, YouthBuild USA and Think.mtv.com co-hosted an unprecedented town hall for hundreds of low-income youth from across the nation. The Hatcher Group’s outreach efforts led to coverage of the event in the media, on blogs and other on-line outlets, allowing youth to raise their voices and policy recommendations for reducing poverty in America.
Read the media advisory
View video highlights from the event

REPORT RELEASE AND POLICY FORUM
March 2008
The Hatcher Group spearheaded media outreach and assisted in planning a media/policy forum for the release of a new report on vacant and abandoned properties in Ohio. The report, completed by Community Research Partners and ReBuild Ohio, gained widespread coverage throughout the state.
Read the press release
Read the media coverage
View an electronic invitation

NEW STAFF MEMBER
Veteran journalist and author Amy Saltzman joins The Hatcher Group.
Read the press release
Read National Journal article

DOCUMENTARY AND DISCUSSION GUIDE
February 2008
Pursuit of the Dream: Cars & Jobs in America, a new documentary DVD produced for the Annie E. Casey Foundation, illustrates the importance of affordable, reliable transportation for building the economic success of low-income families. The Hatcher Group managed the production of the DVD and discussion guide and is executing a national dissemination strategy.
Read the press release
View clips of the documentary
Read the discussion guide

NEW REPORT
January 2008
Hatcher Group Senior Associate Tom Waldron is the author of a report published recently by The Abell Foundation in Baltimore analyzing issues related to firearms trafficking in the city. The study relied on interviews with police and other enforcement officials, prosecutors, researchers and experts in gun-control issues.
Read the report

REPORT RELEASE
November 2007
The Hatcher Group recently managed the release of a major new report, “Unlocking America: Why and How to Reduce America’s Prison Population.” As part of its outreach, The Hatcher Group organized a major event at the National Press Club on November 19 attended by more than 120 policymakers, advocates, and journalists. The event was covered live by C-Span and by CNN, CBS, Reuters, the New York Times and National Public Radio, among many others.
Read the report
Read the press release
Read the media coverage  

FEATURED PROJECTS

Online Outreach for Non-Profits and Foundations

Americans no longer rely exclusively on traditional media to get news and information.  Increasingly, consumers are adding a healthy supplement of Internet sources to their media diets, primarily through social media and blogs.  A 21st century public relations strategy takes this into account and proactively reaches out to these online communities by joining the conversations that are already taking place and starting new ones. In recognition of this, The Hatcher Group has just launched our new blog on online outreach for non-profits and foundations.  In addition to offering case studies, best practices and regular roundups of online outreach news, we take an in-depth look at some of the most effective ways organizations working for social change can engage new and existing audiences on the web.

Visit our blog to learn how your organization can effectively engage the online community and to read about The Hatcher Group’s portfolio of online outreach services.

Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity

The Hatcher Group is working with the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Eos Foundation to manage a major initiative to move the issues of poverty and opportunity to center stage during the 2008 presidential campaign. Spotlight on Poverty and Opportunity seeks to engage the presidential candidates in substantive discussions about poverty and keep these issues in the forefront as a new administration sets its agenda. The Hatcher Group organized a recent launch of Spotlight at the National Press Club. New polling was released at the launch that shows increasing numbers of likely voters are concerned about poverty. A new website, www.spotlightonpoverty.org, includes information on candidates’ views on poverty and other resources on poverty-related issues.

Visit www.spotlightonpoverty.org
Read the press release

See additional Hatcher Group work