"Matthew is passionate about education, equity, and ensuring opportunity for every child. We are a small, local non-profit, but his passion and results made us feel like we had the infrastructure of a national foundation. He began by investing the time to learn and adapt to our culture. This kind of commitment and pace ensures that his recommendations, proactive ideas, and strategic thinking reflect the client's values - and ultimately ensures that he connects directly and becomes passionate to your brand and mission. He became a deeply important strategist to me and did far more for People's Prep than address our press needs. Matthew helped us build needed relationships throughout Newark and New Jersey, was on speed dial for strategic advice for every crisis we faced, and became a friend who deeply respected and lived the values that underpin our work."
- Jess Rooney, Founder and Co-School Leader People's Prep
As Newark’s only independent public charter high school, with very little communication and strategic support, People's Prep hired MDF Strategies initially to lead a statewide engagement strategy that would strengthen their scheduled review by the State. At the time, the school had a number of concerns related to its required State renewal and desired a far stronger narrative to showcase its mission and values. MDF Strategies led a full audit of the school capabilities and then built and executed a multi-tiered plan. MDF Strategies built a variety of new strategic assets including the development of social media platforms, rebuilding its web site, creating new strategic partnerships, utilizing their supporters and advocates, and building needed elected and community support. The culmination of these results can best be seen in a deep front page profile in Newark's Star-Ledger the first day of the school year and the production of valuable content creation. In addition to showcasing the school’s unique value proposition, these efforts led to its renewal by the State and the development of new fundraising support. MDF Strategies work extended far beyond the original scope of work and Matthew Frankel currently sits on the People’s Prep Board of Trustees.