Communications Toolkit

Clear communication to students, families, educators, and partners is critical to the work of GEAR UP. Therefore, NCCEP’s Communications Advisory Committee compiled the following examples, templates, and resources to share with other GEAR UP programs.

Brand Identity & Messaging

In our modern era of information overload, GEAR UP programs need a strong and cohesive brand identity to create a professional and trustworthy presence.

Brand Guidelines And Templates

Brand guidelines, also known as brand kits or style guides, outline how a brand should be visually represented. Creating templates for the platforms your program uses helps ensure that everyone can easily follow your program’s brand guidelines.

• Brand Standards and Identity Manual, West Virginia GEAR UP

• Communication Guidelines, USU STARS GEAR UP

• Style Guide | Templates: Letterhead, Event Flyer, Brochure, Washington State GEAR UP

Key Messages

GEAR UP’s unique model means there are multiple audiences: students in middle school through college, families, educators, partners, and policymakers. Communication is not one-size-fits-all, so it’s important to curate talking points for each audience.

• GEAR UP Good News: GEAR UP Talking Points | Key Audiences, NCCEP

• GEAR UP Key Messages, NCCEP Communications Advisory Committee

• Talking Points for Partners, GEAR UP Southern West Virginia

Strategic Communications

Select your communication methods based on your audiences’ needs and explore options for content creation and distribution. No matter your method or tool, focus on consistency and clarity in your communication.

Communication Methods

There are multiple ways to communicate with your varied audiences including print, digital, phone, and face-to-face methods.

• Educator / Partner Newsletter, USU STARS GEAR UP

• Student / Family Newsletter, GEAR UP Maine RISE

• Video Event Summaries, Region One ESC GEAR UP

• Engaging Families with Text, UT Austin GEAR UP

Communication Resources

Use free or low-cost tools to design, share, and manage communications.

• Canva and Canva Design School – Graphic design platform with templates, photos, and more. Non-profits are eligible for a free pro account.

• Adobe Express – Photo editing, graphic design, and video creation tools.

• CapCut – Online photo and video editor for social media.

• Pixabay – High quality, royalty-free stock images, videos, and music.

• Hemingway Editor – Readability checker and tool to help make writing bold and clear.   

Sharing the GEAR UP Good News

Build awareness and support for GEAR UP by sharing the impact of the program.

Telling the GEAR UP Story

Highlight student voices and images of real students as well as meaningful data that illustrates how GEAR UP has made a difference for students, families, educators, and communities.

• FACES of GEAR UP, GEAR UP Kentucky

• GEAR UP Fact Sheet, West Virginia GEAR UP

• GEAR UP Good News: GEAR UP Fact Sheet and Template | Social Media Templates, NCCEP

Media and Public Relations

Spread the word about your GEAR UP program by engaging local media outlets through media advisories, press releases, and op-eds.

• GEAR UP Good News: Media Relations Kit | Op-Ed Guidelines, NCCEP

• Media Center | Media Advisory and Press Release Examples, GEAR UP Southern West Virginia

• Video Public Service Announcement, Region One ESC

Additional NCCEP Resources

NCCEP offers several other resources and trainings to help GEAR UP professionals communicate effectively.

• Discussion Labs: Informal opportunities for conversation and sharing among members of the GEAR UP community. The Communications Advisory Committee facilitates Discussion Labs several times a year.

• Study Lab: On-demand, online courses for GEAR UP professionals.

  • Building a Communications Plan will give you additional support in developing strategic communications for your program.

• The Quad: NCCEP members can access communications-related resources, recorded webinars, and discussion boards.

• National GEAR UP Academy (virtual, February) and Annual Conference (in-person, July): NCCEP’s conferences offer sessions on a variety of communications topics.