Program Underwriting

Underwriting virtual programming at The Commonwealth Club is a unique partnership opportunity. We offer tailored options—from individual programs to bespoke program series or any combination of underwriting packages—that align with your business or grantmaking goals. Partnerships of this nature allow the Club to continue producing critical programming that facilitates civic engagement and direct action around society’s most pressing issues.

As the nation’s oldest and largest public affairs forum, The Commonwealth Club is uniquely adept to play a role in keeping the community informed and connected during these unprecedented times. In the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, the Club pivoted to a fully virtual model. While the world waits for in-person gatherings to resume, the Club continues to bring important conversations to our growing audience base via our robust distribution channels. We are supported by more than 170,000 subscribers and more than 1 million monthly online viewers via YouTube, Facebook Live, and other social media. The Club's weekly radio broadcast—the oldest in the United States, dating back to 1924—is carried across the nation on more than 230 public and commercial radio stations. These programs are widely available in perpetuity via video broadcast and podcast, with over 6 million annual listeners. Our website archive features recordings of our dynamic recent programs, as well as selected speeches from our long and distinguished history.

Program Outcomes

  • Reach 250–1,500+ real time viewers per program via YouTube and Facebook live streaming.
  • Reach 2,000–10,000+ total viewers via YouTube and Facebook.
  • Reach 7,000–10,000 podcast listeners per program within 60 days and thousands more via radio. Radio broadcast at the editorial discretion of The Commonwealth Club and our partner radio stations (KQED, KALW, etc.)
  • Produce audio and video recordings of each program that will exist in perpetuity. Option to keep underwriter’s recognition intact, depending on level of support.

Program Format & Technology

  • Virtual programs are 65-minutes long, conducted using Zoom technology, and broadcast via The Commonwealth Club’s YouTube and Facebook Live channels.
  • Underwriters of custom programming are invited to have an executive deliver introductory remarks live via Zoom or to record their message in advance.
  • Panels consist of a 2-person dialogue or a maximum of 5 panelists (includes a moderator), depending on the underwriting level.
  • The Commonwealth Club audio and video team manages all technical requirements and remains available for any AV-related questions.

To learn more about program underwriting and partnering with The Commonwealth Club, please contact:

Michelle D'Alo
Vice President of Development
(408) 684-5809
[email protected]

Custom Multi-Part Program Series  

We will work in close collaboration to develop multiple virtual programs that directly align with your priority areas. This tailored option offers partners the largest number of benefits, including the opportunity to craft a title and focus for a bespoke program series.

Goal

  • Raise public awareness around important issues that are relevant to the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals that concern the wellbeing of society.
  • Align the Commonwealth Club and underwriting partner’s brand, helping to position the underwriter as a thought leader in the identified subject area.
  • Educate the public and encourage civic discussion in support of meaningful change in policy, culture, and/or business.

Objectives

  • Produce two or more custom Commonwealth Club virtual programs.
  • Work in close collaboration with the underwriter's leadership team or an informal committee to shape the program content and identify viable panelists.
  • Convene a group of 2–5 diverse thought leaders and encourage them to address significant challenges publicly.
  • Promote the programming using social media, email newsletters, the virtual Commonwealth magazine, and direct email marketing to reach the Commonwealth Club’s vast membership base, general audiences across the Bay Area and beyond, and the network of the underwriting partner.
  • Distribute the programming widely via YouTube and Facebook live stream, social media, podcast, radio*, and the Commonwealth magazine.

Recognition & Benefits: Custom Multi-Part Program Series

  • Distinguished series title that is mutually crafted (e.g. The Destination Health Series, underwritten by Kaiser Permanente.)
  • Opportunity for an executive to introduce the program.
  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on program website listings and livestream signage.
  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on all outreach materials in the program series. Outreach is conducted via direct invitation, email outreach, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • Verbal recognition delivered during broadcast opening remarks by Club staff and/or moderator.
  • Visual and audio sponsorship bumper to exist in perpetuity on radio, video, and podcast recordings.
  • Logo and hyperlink to the underwriter’s web page embedded in the post-production YouTube video.

Media & Planning Deliverables: Custom Multi-Part Program Series

  • Dedicated staff liaison throughout the planning process and program execution.
  • Consistently consult the underwriter's leadership team or informal committee on key planning decisions (panelists, timing, content direction, etc.).
  • Management of all panelists, including individual AV requirements, planning meetings, and more.
  • Programs to air on local/national radio with series specific sponsor bumper.
  • Podcast dissemination via mobile app, podcast services.
  • Delivery of audio and video links post-event for redistribution and repurposing, with Commonwealth Club branding intact.
  • Spotlight article in The Commonwealth magazine, distributed to 25,000+ Commonwealth Club members and corporate partners.
  • Featured posts on The Commonwealth Club’s social media feeds.

The Commonwealth Club Emergency Programming Relief Fund

  • Recognition on the featured Commonwealth Club COVID-19 response program webpage (20,000+ and growing daily viewers).
  • Logo inclusion on bumper slides for all COVID-19 related programming (funder collaborative).

Custom Program (1)  

Working in close collaboration, we will focus on your top priority area to create one dynamic virtual program. Benefits include the opportunity for an executive to give introductory remarks.

Goal

  • Develop a custom program that raises public awareness around an important issue which is relevant to the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals and concerns the wellbeing of society.
  • Align the Commonwealth Club and underwriting partner’s brand, helping to position the underwriter as a thought leader in the identified subject area.
  • Educate the public and encourage civic discussion in support of meaningful change in policy, culture, and/or business.

Objectives

  • Produce one custom Commonwealth Club virtual program.
  • Work in close collaboration with the underwriter's leadership team or an informal committee to shape the program content and identify viable panelists.
  • Convene a group of 2 to 4 thought leaders (including a moderator) and encourage them to address significant challenges publicly.
  • Promote the program using social media, email newsletters, the virtual Commonwealth magazine, and direct email marketing to reach the Commonwealth Club’s vast membership base, general audiences across the Bay Area and beyond, and the network of the underwriting partner.
  • Distribute the program widely via YouTube and Facebook live stream, social media, podcast, radio*, and the Commonwealth magazine.

Recognition & Benefits: Custom Program

  • Opportunity for an executive to introduce the program.
  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on program website listings and livestream signage.
  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on all outreach materials.
  • Outreach is conducted via direct invitation, email outreach, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • Verbal recognition delivered during broadcast opening remarks by Club staff and/or moderator.
  • Visual and audio sponsorship bumper to exist in perpetuity on radio, video, and podcast recordings.
  • Logo and hyperlink to the underwriter’s web page embedded in the post-production YouTube video.

Media & Planning Deliverables: Custom Program

  • Dedicated staff liaison throughout the planning process and program execution.
  • Consistently consult the underwriter's leadership team or informal committee on key planning decisions (panelists, timing, content direction, etc).
  • Management of all panelists, including individual AV requirements, planning meetings, and more.
  • Programs to air on local/national radio with sponsor bumper.
  • Podcast dissemination via mobile app, podcast services.
  • Delivery of audio and video links post-event for redistribution and repurposing, with Commonwealth Club branding intact.

The Commonwealth Club Emergency Programming Relief Fund

  • Recognition on the featured Commonwealth Club COVID-19 response program webpage (20,000+ and growing daily viewers).
  • Logo inclusion on bumper slides for all COVID-19 related programming (funder collaborative).

Multi-Part Series of Slated Commonwealth Club Programs  

The Commonwealth Club has a dynamic schedule of exciting programs that are available for underwriting. We will work closely to craft your series focus and identify slated programs that align with your objectives.

Goal

  • Provide critical support for multiple upcoming programs that are relevant to the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals and concerns the wellbeing of society.
  • Align the Commonwealth Club and underwriting partner’s brand, helping to position the underwriter as a thought leader in the identified subject area.
  • Educate the public and encourage civic discussion in support of meaningful change in policy, culture, and/or business.

Objectives

  • Identify two or more upcoming Commonwealth Club virtual programs that are already in the planning stages which align with the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals.
  • Commonwealth Club staff will develop panel and program content.
  • Convene a diverse group of thought leaders and encourage them to address significant challenges publicly.
  • Promote the programming using social media, email newsletters, the virtual Commonwealth magazine, and direct email marketing to reach the Commonwealth Club’s vast membership base, general audiences across the Bay Area and beyond, and the network of the underwriting partner.
  • Distribute the programming widely via YouTube and Facebook live stream, social media, podcast, radio*, and the Commonwealth magazine.

Recognition & Benefits: Series of Slated Commonwealth Club Programs

  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on all program website listings and livestream signage.
  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on all outreach materials.
  • Outreach is conducted via direct invitation, email outreach, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • Verbal recognition delivered during broadcast opening remarks by Club staff and/or moderator.
  • Visual and audio sponsorship bumper to exist in perpetuity on radio, video, and podcast recordings.
  • Logo and hyperlink to the underwriter’s web page embedded in the post-production YouTube video.

Slated Commonwealth Club Program (1) 

Align your brand and grantmaking strategy with one of our slated programs. Benefits include robust digital recognition in all marketing materials and acknowledgement during the program.

Goal

  • Provide critical support for one upcoming program that is relevant to the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals and concerns the wellbeing of society.
  • Align the Commonwealth Club and underwriting partner’s brand, helping to position the underwriter as a thought leader in the identified subject area.
  • Educate the public and encourage civic discussion in support of meaningful change in policy, culture, and/or business.

Objectives

  • Identify one upcoming Commonwealth Club virtual program that is already in the planning stages which aligns with the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals.
  • Commonwealth Club staff will own the planning decisions of the program, welcoming the underwriter’s support with promoting the event.
  • Convene a diverse group of thought leaders and encourage them to address significant challenges publicly.
  • Promote the programming using social media, email newsletters, the virtual Commonwealth magazine, and direct email marketing to reach the Commonwealth Club’s vast membership base, general audiences across the Bay Area and beyond, and the network of the underwriting partner.
  • Distribute the programming widely via YouTube and Facebook live stream, social media, podcast, radio*, and the Commonwealth magazine.

Recognition & Benefits: Slated Club Program

  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on program website listing and livestream signage.
  • Acknowledgement of exclusive support (name and logo) on all outreach materials.
  • Outreach is conducted via direct invitation, email outreach, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
  • Verbal recognition delivered during broadcast opening remarks by Club staff and/or moderator.
  • Visual and audio sponsorship bumper to exist in perpetuity on radio, video, and podcast recordings.
  • Logo and hyperlink to the underwriter’s web page embedded in the post-production YouTube video.

Joint Underwriting of Slated Commonwealth Club Program (1)  

We appreciate that partners may want to support our programming at a lower level. There is an opportunity for multiple partners to support a single program with a limited but significant assortment of recognition benefits. The Commonwealth Club has a dynamic schedule of exciting programs that are available for underwriting. We hope to share with you what we have slated on our calendar of events and to discuss which programs align with your objectives.

Goal

  • Provide critical support for one upcoming program that is relevant to the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals and concerns the wellbeing of society.
  • Align the Commonwealth Club and underwriting partner’s brand, helping to position the underwriter as a thought leader in the identified subject area.
  • Educate the public and encourage civic discussion in support of meaningful change in policy, culture, and/or business.

Objectives

  • Identify one or more upcoming Commonwealth Club virtual programs that are already in the planning stages which aligns with the underwriting partner’s business or grantmaking goals.
  • Commonwealth Club staff will own the planning decisions of the program, welcoming the underwriter’s support with promoting the event.
  • Convene a diverse group of thought leaders and encourage them to address significant challenges publicly.
  • Promote the programming using social media, email newsletters, the virtual Commonwealth magazine, and direct email marketing to reach the Commonwealth Club’s vast membership base, general audiences across the Bay Area and beyond, and the network of the underwriting partner.
  • Distribute the programming widely via YouTube and Facebook live stream, social media, podcast, radio*, and the Commonwealth magazine.

Recognition & Benefits

  • Acknowledgement of support (name and logo) on program website listing and livestream signage, in conjunction with other funders.
  • Acknowledgement of support (name and logo) on all outreach materials, in conjunction with other funders.
  • Outreach is conducted via direct invitation, email outreach, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Underwrite Multiple Custom & Slated Programs

Funders are welcome to underwrite a combination of custom programming and slated programs across subject areas. Price point and deliverables can be negotiated.

 

To learn more about program underwriting and partnering with The Commonwealth Club, please contact:

Michelle D'Alo
Vice President of Development 
(408) 684-5809
[email protected]