Podesta Group

Challenge: A nonprofit medical research organization came to the Podesta Group seeking to secure federal dollars specifically for spinal cord injury research and clinical trials – an ask that was the first of its kind on Capitol Hill. Congress had historically provided money for traumatic injury, but not spinal cord injury specifically.

Strategy:  Engage administration and Department of Defense officials, as well as new and existing Congressional champions encouraging them to create a competitive pot specifically aimed at spinal cord injury that would allow the organization to compete for its specific needs.  Craft and deliver the message that this research could ultimately not only help regular Americans, but the thousands of soldiers returning from war with these devastating injuries.

Result:  For the first time on record, a competitive spinal cord injury funding pot of $35 million was created in the Department of Defense budget – and secured again last year for another  $11.25 million. The importance of spinal cord injury research was highlighted at a special hearing on Traumatic Brain Injury and Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and a congressional invitation for the client to participate in the annual Brain Injury Awareness Fair on Capitol Hill. Working relationships were solidified between the organization and top Pentagon officials that yielded front row seats for ground breaking hypothermal treatments at the Pentagon and high-ranking Pentagon official site visits to the organization’s facilities.