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Spaulding Academy & Family Services

To broaden Spaulding Academy & Family Services’ reach, we worked with the organization to elevate its mission, deepen donor and community involvement, and spotlight the everyday impact of its programs. Through a blend of marketing initiatives and a refreshed digital presence, Spaulding was able to sharpen its voice, strengthen supporter connections, and honor milestone achievements — including recognition as the world’s first Choose Love certified school.

WHAT WE DID
  • Marketing and communications planning and strategy
  • Annual report design and creation
  • Website redesign
  • Ongoing multi-channel audience engagement
    • quarterly newsletter
    • fundraising appeals
    • emails

Marketing and communications planning and strategy

To amplify Spaulding’s vital mission, we crafted comprehensive strategies that would meaningfully connect with their key audiences, which ranged from donors and community advocates to future foster families and prospective staff. Our approach centered on storytelling that could both expand their donor base and website engagement while also building deeper emotional connections through targeted email campaigns. Recognizing the unique challenge of attracting top-tier staff in today’s competitive landscape, we developed specialized recruitment plans designed to showcase why Spaulding isn’t just a workplace, but where careers become callings.
Two-page spread and cover of a report titled “Choosing Love,” featuring staff photos, a colorful heart drawing, and insights from a case study in marketing.

Annual report design

In collaboration with Spaulding’s leadership team, we developed the 2024 annual report to capture a milestone year as the world’s first Choose Love certified school. Blending stories, data, and imagery, the report conveyed Spaulding’s mission while motivating continued donor support. The die-cut, student-drawn heart featured on the cover resonated so strongly that it became a defining element in Spaulding’s brand identity.

Ongoing multi-channel audience engagement

To keep families, donors, and community partners engaged, we delivered a consistent flow of communications that celebrated student success and daily life on campus. This included a quarterly printed newsletter, annual fundraising appeals built around compelling stories, and monthly email updates. Every piece underscored Spaulding’s vision and mission while inviting supporters to stay involved and contribute to its continued success.
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A laptop with a marketing newsletter on screen and printed newsletters titled SPAULDING SPRING 2025 displayed in front.

Website redesign

We redesigned Spaulding’s website to provide a modern, accessible experience for families, donors, and staff. Key features include drone footage of the campus, an interactive map, detailed program descriptions, job postings, and multiple ways to donate. The result is a site that showcases Spaulding’s unique offerings while making it easier for supporters to get involved.

click to enlarge

Illustrated campus map with labeled buildings, roads, parking lots, and surrounding green spaces—ideal for marketing materials or as a visual case study.
1

Spaulding Academy/Reception
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2

Cutter Wiggins
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3

Westwood Hall

4

Howe Building

5

Richard Smart Gym

6

EChO Program
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7

Williams Hall

8

Community Center

9

Colcord Cottage
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10

Lambert Hall
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11

Young House
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12

Davis House
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13

High Ropes Course
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14

Adaptive Playground
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15

Pump House

16

Laundry

17

EChO Garage

18

Mountain Bike Park
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19

Facilities Building

20

Wednesday House

All of us at Spaulding Academy & Family Services have had a wonderful experience working with Cookson Communications. Their communication is excellent, with a quick response rate that makes collaboration seamless. From the very beginning, the team took the time to do a deep dive into our organization to truly understand who we are and what we do, ensuring our marketing efforts authentically represent us. The Cookson team brings fresh, creative ideas, stays on top of current trends, and have been incredibly helpful offering solutions when obstacles arise. We’re grateful for their partnership and highly recommend their services!

Courtney Leighton

Director of Development & Community Relations

See more of our work

Crisp Print Pieces by Sky

Give your print pieces a satisfying CRUNCH! with compelling content, on-brand design and layouts that stay fresh, not stale, all season long.

Serves

In-person audiences

Cook Time

varies, depending on deadlines

Prep Time

1-4 days

Ingredients

  • 1 brand guide

  • Content, to taste

  • Imagery (homemade preferred)

  • 1 half-doz. layout sketches

  • 1 creative brief

  • 1 preferred printer

  • Paper stock, varying in lbs.

Directions

  1. Gather ingredients, then open InDesign (or layout software of choice) to prepare your pieces.

  2. Arrange content across pages, blending white space and hierarchy; proofread carefully between each revision and strain out typos.

  3. Simmer typography, colors and placement until consistent and cohesive.

  4. Top with QR codes, sample test prints on paper stock and serve hot off the press!