Communications, Engagement, and Facilitation

Effective communication begins with a clear strategy that describes the desired outcomes of communicating with your audience. Whether launching a planning process, preparing a grant application, breaking ground, or presenting to elected officials, understanding who needs information, what matters to them, and how to best reach them can anticipate challenges and strengthen project outcomes. 

We work with public- and private-sector clients to develop communications strategies that identify key audiences, establish clear messages, select appropriate communications tools, and align activities with project milestones and decision-making processes. By incorporating community perspectives early and anticipating potential concerns, we help clients communicate transparently, manage project risks, and adapt their approach as projects evolve.

Effective community engagement is critical for making informed decisions that reflect community priorities, address real concerns, and move projects forward. When it comes to engagement, every approach must be tailored to the project goals, the decision-making process, and the communities involved. We create meaningful opportunities for participation by identifying community needs and values and synthesizing public input into practical guidance for our clients’ plans, policies, projects, and services.

Our team uses a range of approaches to fit each audience, including interactive digital tools, interviews, surveys, focus groups, workshops, go-to-you and public meetings, and listening sessions. We work with clients to identify barriers to participation, reach historically underrepresented communities, and clearly communicate how community input will be considered and used in decision-making.

We also help clients navigate applicable engagement requirements and guidance from regulators, including Washington State’s Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act, the Oregon Equitable Engagement Toolkit, and relevant federal and state frameworks. Our services include assessments and inclusive engagement plans that inform communications, planning, policy development, and service delivery. We partner with community-based organizations and other trusted community partners to design and implement engagement that is accessible, relevant, and responsive. These partnerships build civic capacity, strengthen relationships, and position our clients to sustain work that is aligned with community needs and values.

Complex projects and programs often bring together government agencies, Tribal governments, industry representatives, community organizations, and other interested and affected parties with different priorities, responsibilities, and perspectives. Navigating these relationships requires more than outreach. It calls for thoughtful process design, clear roles, effective coordination, and opportunities for productive dialogue. 

MFA designs and facilitates advisory committees, rulemaking advisory committees (RACs) technical coordinating groups, interagency working groups, strategic planning efforts, and public policy processes. From utility resource planning and economic development to brownfields redevelopment and climate resilience, our facilitators create structured, inclusive environments that help participants understand technical information, share perspectives, clarify priorities, and engage meaningfully. Whether supporting a single meeting or a long-term, multi-party initiative, we bring skilled facilitation, transparent communication, and regional expertise to complex conversations.

Meaningful collaboration with Tribal governments and organizations requires respect for Tribal sovereignty, cultural protocols, and distinct governance and decision-making processes. MFA supports early and ongoing Tribal engagement and coordination through thoughtful planning, coordination, relationship-building, and culturally responsive facilitation. 

Our practitioners bring experience working with Tribal governments, public agencies, and project teams on complex issues involving natural and cultural resources, environmental restoration, infrastructure, land use, and community priorities. We support Tribal coordination, advisory groups, and collaborative planning processes that build understanding, navigate differing interests, and identify opportunities for collaboration. 

Our approach emphasizes relationship-building, trust, meaningful consideration of Tribal perspectives and priorities, and respect for the government-to-government consultation responsibilities of public agencies.

MFA provides impartial mediation and conflict resolution services to help individuals, organizations, agencies, and communities navigate disputes, address competing interests, and find workable solutions. Our experienced practitioners support clients facing workplace and organizational conflicts, natural resource and land use disputes, infrastructure and regulatory issues, and complex multiparty negotiations. We also offer conflict assessments, negotiation support, and conflict coaching to help clients resolve disputes and prevent conflicts from escalating.

MFA helps clients plan and deliver effective public meetings, workshops, open houses, and other events. From event strategy and logistics to materials production, meeting support, and follow-up reporting, our team manages the details so that clients can focus on their objectives. We also help prepare presenters, develop accessible materials, and create opportunities for meaningful participation.

We work with agencies and elected officials on a daily basis and are well-versed in the political realities facing local and state agencies. Our communications specialists can help you track legislation, present to elected officials, and coordinate with partner agencies.

MFA helps clients develop and implement media strategies, including drafting press releases, coordinating press events, managing media inquiries, and serving as spokespeople. We coach clients on media appearances and track and summarize news coverage about projects and client organizations.

Our in-house graphic design and multimedia professionals can help you convey your project’s story in arresting visuals. We offer logo and branding services, web design and storymaps, social media content, infographics and fact sheets, video, drone services, and photography. For clients with limited resources, we can create branded templates for future use or offer on-call graphic design services for discrete projects.

We know efforts such as program assessments and long-range planning are often deprioritized in favor of immediate or external needs. MFA helps clients assess their communications programs to find efficiencies, prioritize resources, and plan for upcoming budget cycles. Our well-rounded experience and knowledge of best practices allow us to offer your communications team a fresh, outside perspective on what’s working and what’s getting in the way of your goals.