Applied Communication, LLC has built a practice of working with non-profit and community organizations to energize a core constituency to become change agents. Through assistance with strategic planning, grant writing and meeting facilitation, the work of these groups become a catalyst for efforts that ripple through their communities. Ms. McMahon has a Non-Profit Management Certificate from the University of Wisconsin. Applied Communications offers the following non-profit support services. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND NON-PROFIT STRATEGIC PLANNING Strategic Planning Needs Assessments Revitalization Plans Grant Writing Meeting Facilitation Training & Workshops
Following are descriptions of non-profit projects that Applied Communications has undertaken.
Whitefish Housing Authority (2007) Applied Communications is conducting a Housing Needs Assessment for the Whitefish Housing Authority. The needs assessment will include a housing survey, pricing profile, key informant interviews, and structural condition analysis. The study will be used to develop affordable housing programs.
Montana Tourism Strategic Plan (2007) Applied Communications is part of the project team to update the Tourism Strategic Plan for Montana. The project has included outreach workshops across the state, an on-line survey and presentations at the Governor's conference. The plan will provide strategies on promotion, product development and partnerships. A draft will be available in the fall of 2007.
A Trail Runs Through It (2006) Applied Communications worked with an 18 member steering committee to complete a master plan for a recreational trail system through 13,000 acres of State Trust Land. The project was a collaborative effort between the State of Montana Department of Natural Resource and Conservation, the City of Whitefish, Mt and a local non-profit group, Flathead Gateway Parters. The process included extensive public involvement. The resulting master plan is the basis for management agreements, improvements, and fundraising.
Anaconda Resource Team (2006) Ms. McMahon was part of a resource team that worked with the City of Anaconda, MT to conduct a city-wide need assessment and establish priorities for community projects.
North Central Montana Community Ventures Project (2002-2004) (2002-2004) Applied Communications was a member of the consulting team that developed a strategic plan for poverty reduction for an eleven county area in north central Montana. The project involved a coalition of over 80 agencies from throughout the region and resulted in over 100 strategic actions in seven target areas to address poverty issues. In December, 2003 the Northwest Area Foundation awarded the project $12 million dollars to implement the plan. Applied Communications has continued to provide administrative support while the organization transitions to full-time staff.
Rural Telecommunications Congress (2003-2007) Ms. McMahon was responsible for fundraising efforts for 2004 & 2005. In this capacity, she prepared the marketing/fundraising strategic plan for the organization. As a Board member, Ms. McMahon had a primary role in the coordinating the annual conference.
National Telecommunications Infrastructure Administration (2003) (2003) Technology Opportunity Program, - Grant Reviewer. Conducted lead review on seven applications and supplemental reviews on 20 additional grant applications. Participated in a two-day session to rank applications based on NTIA criteria for awarding TOP grants. Follow-up activities include 1) Worked with NTIA to develop a panel featuring successful applicants for the Rural Telecommunications Congress Annual Conference in Washington D.C. and 2) Created tip sheet for prospective grantees.
Montana State University - Northern - Adjunct Faculty (2000 -2004) Teach college course on grant writing (3 hours credit). Developed curriculum and students produced a grant proposal by the end of the semester. Additionally, have taught the course as a one-day grant workshop for the Hill County, MT Cooperative Extension office and the Lewistown, MT Adult Education Cooperative.
Lewistown Regional University Center. In 1999, Applied Communications developed a strategic plan for a regional university center with distant learning capability in central Montana. The center will have the ability to bring in College courses and degree programs to a geographically isolated region. Based on the plan, the community has raised $600,000 in local dollars, received a Community Development Block Grant for $500,000 and received a donation of land worth $150,000. Applied Communications is assisting in grant writing to secure the remaining $700,000 needed for construction of the facility
Cascade County, MT - Community Needs Assessment. Completed a Community Development Block Grant needs assessment that was submitted with a successful CDBG-grant for over $500,000 of infrastructure improvements to an industrial park north of Great Falls.
Stanford, MT - Housing Needs Assessment & Community Development Block Grant Application (2004) Applied Communications completed a Community Wide Needs Assessment and Housing Plan for the city of Stanford and is completing a Community Development Block Grant Application for a Housing Grant to assist in implementing the plan.
Alliance For Youth, Great Falls, MT - Strategic Planning (2004) | 
