FOSTERING POWERFUL, REWARDING PHILANTHROPY. The Seattle Foundation Strategic Plan

Transcription

1 FOSTERING POWERFUL, REWARDING PHILANTHROPY The Seattle Foundation Strategic Plan

2 More than ever before, philanthropy is driving change across our nation. In education, healthcare, the environment and every aspect of society, we see philanthropic dollars not just investing in change, but leading the charge and bringing new energy and insights to bear on our most pressing challenges. The Seattle Foundation has proven its power to bring real change through philanthropy. Through more than six decades of partnerships with generous, committed philanthropists, we are building a healthy community here in King County. Our strategic plan positions The Seattle Foundation to strengthen this philanthropic leadership into the future, with a renewed focus on leveraging the interests and resources of our fundholders to create a stronger, more vibrant community for all. The board and management developed this plan mindful of the changing landscape of the philanthropic field, including greater competitive pressures and changing charitable giving behaviors. Through diligent execution of the plan, the Foundation aims to grow our assets and increase and diversify revenue, to build our financial strength and long-term sustainability. It is only through a financially strong foundation and satisfied fundholders that The Seattle Foundation can carry out our mission to foster powerful and rewarding philanthropy to make King County a stronger, more vibrant community for all. Our fundholders are, indeed, the heart and soul of this organization. By harnessing their social, financial and human capital and pairing them with effective nonprofit organizations, we will indeed make a very focused and strategic impact on the quality of life in the Puget Sound area for years to come. With this preface, we are very pleased to present The Seattle Foundation s Strategic Plan. Maggie Walker President of the Board of Trustees The Seattle Foundation Norman B. Rice President & CEO The Seattle Foundation

3 4 5 S MISSION IS TO FOSTER POWERFUL AND REWARDING PHILANTHROPY TO MAKE KING COUNTY A STRONGER, MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITY FOR ALL. GUIDING PRINCIPLES In fulfilling our mission, these Guiding Principles are the foundation of our work with each other and all the partners with whom we join to build a healthy community. STEWARDSHIP AND SERVICE: We responsibly manage the resources entrusted to us and uphold the long-term responsibility we have to fundholders and the community. We are committed to providing our fundholders and other stakeholders with the highest level of service. INTEGRITY: We are ethical, honest and transparent with all with whom we work. EQUITY AND INCLUSION: We work to reduce disparities and create a community where everyone has equal opportunity to lead productive lives. We honor and respect the many cultures in our richly diverse region and strive to be accessible to all in our community. KNOWLEDGE: We believe knowledge is our most important asset. We share information broadly and continually seek to learn more to better serve our community and improve our work. We actively encourage input from our fundholders and other stakeholders. COLLABORATION: We believe that the greatest impact is achieved working in partnership, where we can leverage limited resources and unite the strengths of the public, private and nonprofit sectors, and our fundholders. We value collaboration with a wide array of people and perspectives, reflecting the true spirit of a community foundation.

4 6 7 GOAL 2: SHARE KNOWLEDGE ACROSS THE HEALTHY COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK AND WAYS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. Sharing knowledge to inform more effective giving and foster philanthropy throughout our community GOAL 1: COLLABORATIVELY MAKE POSITIVE CHANGE WITHIN KING COUNTY ACROSS THE HEALTHY COMMUNITY FRAMEWORK. Convening stakeholders, fostering dialogue and taking action on local issues where philanthropy can make a difference FOCUS COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP EFFORTS TO MAKE A POSITIVE AND EQUITABLE SYSTEMS-LEVEL IMPACT IN SELECTED ISSUE AREAS BEGINNING IN Launch a center for community leadership to lead select initiatives across the Healthy Community Framework, in addition to the Foundation s ongoing small grants program. BUILD PARTNERSHIPS AND CONNECTIONS AMONG FUNDHOLDERS TO IDENTIFY SPECIFIC COLLECTIVE GIVING PROGRAMS WHERE THEY CAN MAKE AN IMPACT. Implement a fundholder-engaged grantmaking program and design giving circles with fundholders that provide leadership and engagement opportunities and raise additional resources for nonprofit organizations. ESTABLISH EFFICIENT, ONGOING PROCESSES FOR GATHERING INFORMATION ON KING COUNTY TRENDS AND COMMUNITY PRIORITIES BY THE END OF Gather county-wide data and conduct Community Conversations events in partnership with local organizations to learn about current community needs, trends and priorities and better inform the Foundation s work. Leverage Seattle Foundation events, including GiveBIG, to expand and share our knowledge to promote philanthropy throughout King County. Better utilize fundholders community knowledge to increase the effectiveness of all of the Foundation s grantmaking. IDENTIFY CREATIVE AND RELEVANT WAYS TO SHARE THE FOUNDATION S COMMUNITY KNOWLEDGE AND MAKE PHILANTHROPIC INVESTMENTS. Continue to support and position as the go-to resource for charitable giving in King County. Publish a Healthy Community Giving Guide to support more informed philanthropy amongst fundholders and all local philanthropists. Develop an online philanthropic marketplace for matching fundholders with effective nonprofits/projects matched to their interests. Engage fundholders in the design and work of the center for community leadership. MEASURING SUCCESS: launch of center for community leadership / outside support for center operations enables financial self sufficiency by end of 2015 / increase in funding leveraged for center-led initiatives / launch of new fundholder-engaged grantmaking program / fundholder-led giving circles lead to increased engagement and philanthropic investment MEASURING SUCCESS: publication of Healthy Community Giving Guide / growth in philanthropy in King County / utilization of online philanthropic marketplace / web traffic and usage data

5 8 9 GOAL 3: FOSTER POWERFUL AND REWARDING PHILANTHROPY FOR FUNDHOLDERS AND THE GREATER COMMUNITY. Simplifying giving and strengthening impact so people can reach their philanthropic goals ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF FUNDHOLDER SERVICE AND BETTER UNDERSTAND FUNDHOLDER INTERESTS. Provide increased personalized service and tailored outreach to fundholders. Improve administration of fundholder grants. Conduct annual fundholder and professional advisor surveys to inform enhancements to services. Track website and online account usage to further understand fundholder and community information needs and inform ongoing improvements. Create a Fundholder Advisory Council reflective of the broad diversity of interests. STRENGTHEN NEW BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS WITH A FOCUS ON RECRUITING YOUNGER AND MORE DIVERSE PROSPECTS TO GROW THE BASE OF FUNDHOLDERS. Strengthen the Philanthropic Services team and recruit new business development expertise. Expand the professional advisor network and enhance outreach and training. Continue to engage the Board of Trustees in prospecting and cultivation efforts. Strengthen strategic partnerships with key philanthropic organizations and networks to create mutually beneficial collaborations and community impact. INCREASE POWERFUL AND REWARDING PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUNDHOLDERS. Launch corporate philanthropy services to support businesses with strategic giving. Develop a mission-related investment fundholder engagement strategy and interest group. Launch center for family philanthropy to provide expertise to multigenerational families and family foundations regarding strategic philanthropic planning and next-generation philanthropic education. Launch new grantmaking strategy to inspire greater donor involvement to fully leverage the investment of the Foundation s distribution of discretionary funds. Launch a revised online Giving Center with online marketplace that provides giving opportunities tailored to individual needs and interests. Present more education events tailored to fundholders interests. ENCOURAGE INCREASED PHILANTHROPY WITHIN KING COUNTY THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND GIVEBIG AND ACTIVATE FUTURE PLANNED GIFTS VIA THE LEAVE10 INITIATIVE. Leverage our technology platform to maximize GiveBIG with an increased focus on King County and strong alignment with the new grantmaking program. Participate in the Leave10 legacy committee with planned giving colleagues and associations, a campaign to encourage the public to leave 10% of their wealth to charity, after taking care of family and friends. MEASURING SUCCESS: enhanced fundholder satisfaction reported in surveys and staff interaction / growth in charitable assets under management / increased donor engagement, communication and interaction / increased revenue from new sources / increase in new and younger fundholders / growth in corporate philanthropy / growth in referral sources / growth in GiveBIG participation, visibility and fundraising

6 10 11 GOAL 4: REFINE THE BUSINESS MODEL TO INCREASE AND DIVERSIFY REVENUE SOURCES AND MAXIMIZE OPERATING EFFICIENCY. Ensuring a strong, efficient organization, resilient through economic changes ANNUALLY INCREASE THE NUMBER AND BALANCE OF FUNDS UNDER MANAGEMENT. Increase tailored outreach to professional advisors, potential fundholders, and partner organizations. Analyze existing funds to determine if there are opportunities to increase current fund balances or engage inactive funds. Analyze fee structure to determine the optimal rate for Foundation sustainability and attracting new funds. IDENTIFY NEW WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE SEATTLE FOUNDATION S COMMUNITY WORK AND GENERAL OPERATIONS (BOTH EARNED REVENUE AND CONTRIBUTED INCOME) BY THE END OF Conduct feasibility study for a Seattle Foundation endowment campaign. Develop and implement a business plan designed to result in a financially self-sustainable center for community leadership by Identify and successfully market fee-for-service opportunities that will generate revenue from nonfundholders and foster philanthropy community-wide. Create opportunities for nonfundholders to support The Seattle Foundation s community leadership work. MEASURING SUCCESS: increase in assets under management / completion of fee analysis and adoption of recommendations / increase in earned and contributed income growth / center for community leadership is financially self-sufficient by 2015

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