Flu Lab Communications Guidelines

Flu Lab is proud to support the work of our funding recipients, and we believe in the value of highlighting and sharing their successes and progress. We want to ensure that our support for our funding recipients’ work is represented accurately and respectfully in all communications. These guidelines are intended to ensure that we are appropriately acknowledged as the funder while supporting your efforts to garner visibility for the work you are doing. Please contact us at info@theflulab.org with any questions.

Use of Flu Lab Name in Manuscripts and Other Public-Facing Materials

We request that our support be acknowledged in any manuscript, article, academic paper, presentation, social media post, or website content that results from your Flu Lab-funded work. Proper acknowledgment is important to us, as it ensures transparency about the funding source.

As stated in our grant and investment terms, all funding recipients must seek and receive written permission before using our name publicly.

Below are the key items to keep in mind when using our name.

  • Acknowledgment: We expect to be acknowledged as the funder of your project, program, or organization. The acknowledgment should be phrased clearly and in accordance with the guidelines provided below.

  • Approval Process: As stated in our grant and investment terms, all funding recipients must seek and receive written permission before using our name publicly. Before submitting any manuscript or other public-facing materials for publication, we ask that you share it with us for approval of how Flu Lab is mentioned. This will help ensure the acknowledgment is accurate and aligned with our expectations.

  • Review Timeline: We request that all materials be shared with us at casey@theflulab.org and julie@theflulab.org one to two weeks in advance of submission to allow for a thorough review. In most cases, we can provide feedback and/or approval more quickly, but please factor in this timeline when planning your submissions and communications.

    Guidelines for Flu Lab Naming

    Our organization has specific language for how we should be mentioned. We should be referred to as Flu Lab; no other variations of this are accurate. Flu Lab should be identified as an organization and not as a philanthropy, philanthropic organization, or foundation. Our location should be identified as California-based. Options for how we can be named as a funder include:

    • “(Name of funding recipient) received a (size of grant or investment) grant(investment) from Flu Lab, a California-based organization founded to advance innovative approaches for the prevention and treatment of influenza.”

    • “(Name of funding recipient’s program) is funded by Flu Lab. Through grants and investments, Flu Lab supports efforts to advance innovative approaches for the prevention and treatment of influenza.

    • “This work was supported, in whole or in part, by Flu Lab.”

    Use of Flu Lab Name in Press Releases

    We fully support our funding recipients in announcing new funding or support through press releases. When referencing our organization in your press release, please adhere to the following guidelines:

    • Press Release Announcements: You are welcome to issue a press release announcing new funding and a project's accomplishments. Please make sure to reference our support of your project accurately.

    • Guidelines for Acknowledgment: Our organization has specific language for how we should be mentioned. Please see the Guidelines section above for our specific guidance—it is the same for any public-facing communication medium.

    • Quotes: We do not provide quotes for press releases, although we are happy to be acknowledged as the funder. Please use the appropriate wording based on the provided guidelines.

    • Approval Process: Prior to finalizing any press release, please send it to us for review and approval. This ensures the language is aligned with our expectations.

    • Review Timeline: We kindly request that all materials be shared with us at casey@theflulab.org and julie@theflulab.org two weeks in advance of submission to allow for a thorough review. In most cases, we will provide feedback and/or approval more quickly, but please factor in this timeline when planning your submissions and communications.

    • Editorial Input: We are happy to provide feedback if you desire editorial input on your press release or other larger pieces of writing. We want to ensure that all messaging aligns with our organization’s values and goals, even though our aim is to have public materials focused on you and the work we are supporting.

    Use of Flu Lab Logo

    Our logo is an important part of our brand identity, and we want to ensure it is used correctly. Here’s what you need to know:

    • Downloadable Files: We provide high-resolution versions of our logo for use in presentations, websites, donor lists, and other materials. These files are available upon request.

    • Notification of Use: Before using our logo, please inform us in advance of where and how it will be used. This can be done when you request a high-resolution file.

    Media and Social Media

    • We prefer that our grantees handle all media inquiries related to a project or funding, as it helps keep the focus on your important work. We will not do media interviews or speak with reporters; however, we would appreciate advance notice when you plan to speak with the media about your Flu Lab-funded work.
    • You are welcome to share the amount of your Flu Lab funding with the media. Please refrain from sharing any additional information about Flu Lab, such as the names of anyone associated with Flu Lab or other grants we have made.
    • Should you receive additional questions about Flu Lab, please direct them to our website and our info@theflulab.org email address. It is important to advise us of any media questions about Flu Lab so we can prepare for inquiries.

    • As we maintain a low profile, it can sometimes be challenging for people to find information about us. Please direct them to our digital presence for more details. More details about Flu Lab can be found at theflulab.org. Flu Lab is on LinkedIn, and our X and Bluesky handle is @TheFluLab.

    Acknowledging Funding Recipients in Flu Lab Public Communications

    We value our relationship with funding recipients and are committed to respecting any guidelines you may have about how your name is used in our public communications. With your permission, we generally limit our communications to acknowledging our funding recipients on our website.

    • Permission-Based Acknowledgement: We will always seek permission before naming your organization or project on our website or in any public-facing materials.

    • Reciprocal Guidelines: If you have specific guidelines regarding how your name should be represented or any other preferences for how we mention your organization, please feel free to share them with us. We are happy to reciprocate and ensure that your name and work are presented in a manner that aligns with your own communications standards.

    Proud to be Your Partner

    In conclusion, we are proud to be a part of your important work and want to ensure that our support is represented accurately and respectfully in all communications. By following these guidelines, you help us maintain the integrity of our relationship while allowing your organization to shine as the true focus of public communications.

    Thank you for your attention to these guidelines and for your collaboration in spreading the message of your impactful work!

    Have questions? You can reach us at info@theflulab.org.