What We Are Riffing About!

As we look forward to the year ahead, we are reminded of an important truth: advocacy + media works. 

Eleven years ago, we helped launch Protect Our Defenders with the goal of removing prosecutorial authority from the chain of command to address the military’s long-standing sexual assault epidemic. That goal was finally realized late last year when the most transformative military reform in our nation’s history became law. 

The fight is not over, but this is a huge step forward for survivors seeking justice. A deep thank you to the veterans, survivors, and advocates who helped make this mission a reality! 

As Riff turns six next month, we understand the time and strategy that goes into taking on the toughest challenges – from holding the Pentagon accountable, to shifting the center of philanthropy towards racial justice, to helping brands create and disrupt industries. 

On the heels of this historic moment for our troops, we’re excited to share that our purpose-over-profit work has been recognized by PRWeek – Riff is a finalist for Boutique Agency of the Year! We are thankful for our incredible partners who’ve placed their trust in us to help build brands and movements that matter.

If you need a strategic communications or public affairs partner that is focused on impact – or are interested in joining the Riff team – don’t hesitate to reach out. 

Way To Win

Despite media and the pundits’ prediction for a “red wave” in the 2022 midterms, Way to Win moved tens of millions and launched an anti-MAGA, pro-freedom messaging coalition to inspire and mobilize a winning multiracial coalition that defied historic midterm odds. It was one of the most successful midterm performances by a Party with a sitting president in history. 

Cruise

Cruise is on a mission to provide the transportation of the future with its fully autonomous, all electric rideshare service. Since becoming the first company to launch fully driverless rides in San Francisco last year, the company has now expanded its zero emission fleet – 100% powered by renewable energy – to Austin and Phoenix. In addition to expanding its fleet, Cruise continues to help vulnerable residents in SF by delivering more than 2.3M meals since the start of the pandemic. We can’t wait to see where Cruise goes next! 

Seurat Technologies 

Manufacturing is responsible for more than a quarter of global carbon emissions. To change course, Seurat Technologies is spearheading the clean energy alternative for metal manufacturing with plans to build their first 100,000-square-foot factory in the Boston area. The facility, set to open in 2024, will mass produce metal parts using its laser printing system up to 100 times faster than existing systems – born out of fusion research. 

People are noticing. Seurat was recognized as a top place to work by The Boston Globe and Built in Boston, a top Boston-based company by BostInno, and one of the Next Big Things in Tech by Fast Company.

Accela 

Accela’s suite of govtech tools works at the heart of government to benefit more than 300M residents worldwide. More municipalities are tapping into the company’s digital services to meet rising resident expectations, helping improve their view of government.  

These solutions are on the frontlines helping state and local governments’ respond to their most pressing challenges, like disaster recovery from Hurricane Ian. Accela celebrated its successes at their annual Accelerate conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, and took home yet another win from the Inc. Best In Business Award.  

Bonfire Ventures

Layoffs are on the rise in the tech industry, but there’s a silver lining; we just might see our next generation of unicorns. Bonfire Ventures helps seed stage B2B software founders and companies beat the odds. 

Getting from Seed to Series A happens for less than 33% of all companies, but 85% of Bonfire’s portfolio companies go on to raise their Series A and beyond. Check out Managing Director Brett Queener’s advice to early-stage startup founders in CrunchBase!

Green 2.0

People of color are hit first and worst by the climate crisis. Green 2.0 is a movement builder working to increase racial and ethnic diversity to build a more effective green movement.

Ahead of the 2022 midterms, Riff partnered with Green 2.0 to announce a new national poll on voters of colors’ views on climate change and the messaging that motivates them to the polls. We capped the year with the launch of Green 2.0’s sixth annual Diversity Report Card, which analyzed diversity data at green organizations + foundations. 

Mosaic

To meet the pace and scale of our environmental crisis, we must invest in shared tools and resources to build a winning climate movement. Mosaic, one of the largest participatory grantmakers in the country, does just that. 

In just two years, Mosaic has moved $11M to collaborative projects across the country – like The Black Church-The Green Movement – an incredible project training faith leaders (featured in Fast Company) across the country to build a network of climate activists! 

Donors of Color Network

Donors of Color Network continues to be a pivotal force in shifting philanthropy towards racial and economic justice. Named as a “Trend of the Year” by Inside Philanthropy, the group is just getting started. Keep your eyes on the Climate Funders Justice Pledge. Backed by Riff partner and philanthropy leader, the Kresge Foundation, the pledge is shifting over a hundred million in new resources to BIPOC-led climate work.

TogetherSF Action

As San Francisco faces challenges – from a housing crisis to public safety concerns and more – we need elected officials that are truly accountable to all San Franciscans.  

That’s why we’re proud to have supported the launch of TogetherSF Action. The initiative empowers residents with the knowledge and tools they need on candidates and key ballot initiatives to hold elected officials accountable in service of building a stronger San Francisco. 

New Partner Spotlight 

We added two new purpose-driven companies to our growing roster of partners!

Effective School Solutions

Our kids are suffering from a mental health crisis like never before. Effective Schools Solutions works with school districts across the country to provide much-needed mental health services directly in schools.

We recently helped them release a new nationwide poll which showed that nearly 60% of administrators believe mental health challenges among students are getting worse. We’re looking forward to working together in 2023 to provide teachers, parents and students with the in-school mental health care they need.

Beam

The social security net needs a revamp. Billions of dollars in government aid continuously go unused because people are unaware and the process to receive them is incredibly complex.

That’s where Beam’s flexible cloud-based platform comes in. We helped launch their rebrand and expansion of services to increase equitable and fast delivery of critical public benefits to our most vulnerable populations. 

Other Stories We Are Riffing About 

• GCN: County streamlines business taxes, licensing
• GovTech Insider: Digitizing Government: Talent and Staffing Challenges Facing Government IT Teams
• TechCrunch: Beam raises $6.4M to help citizens access safety net funds
• Government Technology: Benefits Tech Provider Beam Raises $6.4M Series A Round
• Forbes: Dutchie Launches New Insurance Program For Marijuana Businesses
• Bloomberg: Marijuana Banking Has Grown Quickly. Here’s a Look at Who’s Who
• Axios: Poll finds youth mental health crisis is not getting better
• Fortune: Schools are sounding the alarm on a growing mental health crisis for America’s kids
• NBCNews: Green 2.0 2022 Transparency Report Card featured in NBC News Now
• Forbes: Why Environmental Organizations Need Diverse Leadership?
• Boston Business Journal: Q&A: Seurat’s CEO on the future of additive manufacturing
• Boston Globe: Local 3-D printing startup to build new factory for mass production
• Stripes: From the barracks to the boardrooms: How my military experience equipped me for a career in business and tech
• The Hill: To win in 2024, Democrats must become the party of economic renewal
• Axios: GOP women, people of color break records in state races