Whether you’re ready to start an advancement project or want to discuss our services, we’re here to help.
Useful Links
External Relations and Marketing Communications (ERMC) offers event, editorial, design, multimedia, digital, and print services to any UC Berkeley school/college, department, program, team, or individual who needs support in inspiring philanthropy or engaging the Cal family. We only occasionally work with student groups. Here are some examples of how each team can help you:
- External Relations — event planning, execution, and response tracking; advice on protocols, policies, and procedures; donor gifts; event giveaways; vendor and speaker recommendations; working with the Office of the Chancellor, including briefings and remarks; the campuswide advancement calendar; and Berkeley’s event certificate training.
- Marketing Communications — digital, video, and print assets; custom donor proposals for $5 million+; donor reports; event collateral and speeches; fundraising messaging or stories; creating and managing content for UDAR social media accounts; custom advancement websites and applications; email marketing and analytics; and strategies for pitching philanthropy stories to media.
Next steps if you’re interested in working with us
- Fill out an event or job request (linked below) as early as possible.
- You will receive an automatic email acknowledging receipt of your request. Our management team will review it within five days to assess its fundraising and/or alumni engagement potential, as well as our team’s resources and capacity at the time of your request.
- If your request is accepted, you will receive an email listing your project team, and the project manager will schedule a kickoff. If we’re unable to take it on, we will point you to vendors, templates, or other resources to support your project type.
- The amount of time it takes to complete a project depends on what it is. Events, websites, and videos, for example, require at least three months, and printed pieces can take at least six weeks. We’ll discuss your project’s timeline in the kickoff.
- While our consultation and services are free, you pay for hard costs such as printing, event giveaways, or staff travel expenses. We can provide cost estimates once a project’s scope is determined.
If you’re ready to work together, please fill out an event or job request below. We look forward to exploring a partnership and supporting your advancement needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What resources does ERMC provide?
We have created a variety of ADA-compliant templates for letterhead, proposals, reports, meeting and event planning, presentations, and chancellor communications, as well as downloadable files for digital and print use. Visit the templates or downloads pages to see what’s in stock (CalNet ID required). We also offer an event planning certification program.
Does ERMC provide photography services?
Yes. Visit the photography page for info on downloading high-quality photos. You may also request a photographer for advancement purposes, e.g., donor events or philanthropic stories.
Where can I order printed materials ERMC has made?
You can order planned giving brochures, folders, and several commencement items (scrolls, program covers, and diploma folders) from Berkeley Storefront. Order business cards from the UC Print Storefront.
What websites do you manage?
Our largest websites are give.berkeley.edu, the university’s premier online giving portal; gather.berkeley.edu, a registration system for events managed by External Relations; and Salesforce Marketing Cloud, the central campus email marketing solution for advancement outreach.
We have also built and manage inspire.berkeley.edu (the central home for philanthropic stories and videos); Berkeley Online (a monthly e-newsletter); Chancellor Lyons’ Berkeley Brief (biweekly letter to alums and donors); and six social media channels. Explore this summary for details on each channel’s audience, criteria, and process for submission.
The largest event websites we manage are homecoming.berkeley.edu and commencement.berkeley.edu.
How does ERMC’s work reflect UC Berkeley’s brand?
ERMC follows the campus’s brand, with a heavier emphasis on blue and gold tones to spark recognition and pride among alums and donors. Visit the resources page for more information about the seal, logo, lockups, typography, and color palette.
Can ERMC create a logo for my unit?
Lockups visually connect a unit’s name to the UC Berkeley logo. We have developed lockups for the UDAR community and are unable to support other groups or marks beyond the UC Berkeley logo, seal, Cal script, or an approved lockup. For all non-UDAR lockups and non-advancement branding questions and resources, visit brand.berkeley.edu.
Does ERMC create branded merchandise?
Yes, we create branded merchandise in support of advancement efforts. We’re in the process of building a comprehensive catalog that will be available on Storefront, our central ordering site for fundraising and campaign materials. If you need a bespoke branded item that is not currently available, please submit a job request.
Everything ERMC creates using the Berkeley brand must get approved. All merchandise requests must be routed through ERMC for design review and approval; and all merchandise must be ordered from vendors on the approved Trademarks and Licensing list.
Are the materials ERMC creates ADA compliant?
Yes. Being inclusive isn’t optional; it’s part of Berkeley’s DNA. We are committed to accessibility out of respect for the rights and dignity of others, as stated in our Principles of Community.
We offer accommodations for effective communication at our events and captioning on our videos. Our templates comply with the most recent ADA requirements. Our websites and applications meet or exceed accessibility requirements, including enabling website users to adjust the text spacing and using UC-approved color combinations to serve those with low vision. As communication trends and platforms continue to evolve, we will continue to adjust our offerings to ensure a more equitable experience for everyone.
Visit the university’s Digital Accessibility Program to learn more about the compliance requirements for websites, web content, and web-based systems and applications.
What awards has ERMC received?
Each year, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recognizes outstanding work and people in advancement. ERMC consistently wins across a range of awards.
Can you recommend print or other vendors?
Yes. Please email givingcomms@berkeley.edu for recommendations.
How do I add something to the campus mailing calendar?
In an attempt to better coordinate fundraising communications sent to donors and to reduce the number of overlapping appeals, UDAR created a campuswide calendar that tracks bulk mailings and shows mailing dates. Visit Eureka to learn more about how the calendar works. (You will need a CalNet ID to access Eureka.)
How do I add something to the Eureka events calendar?
Use your Calnet login to access Eureka. Above the calendar widget on the lefthand side, select the “Add Event” button. Complete the form with as much information as possible. Adding events to this calendar helps the Berkeley advancement community know what and when events are scheduled and decreases the chance for event overlap.
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