Foundation Excellence Framework
Research efforts have informed the creation of the initial framework and database that will serve as the foundation of the performance measurement tool (see framework and database below). The next phase of the R&D is to use targeted community foundation focus groups to provide feedback that continue to refine the framework and database.
Framework
The framework challenges organizations to re-think the traditional approach to operations. The organizational processes that would normally be defined as Governance, Program, Development, Finance and Administration and Community are transformed to Market Positioning and Planning, Social Investment Portfolio Management, Business Growth, Organizational Transformation and Community Knowledge Sharing. The challenge to community foundations is to first discover the "gaps" between the traditional approaches and the more business-oriented approaches, and then to identify ways to bridge those gaps, striving toward continuous improvement and excellence in operations.
Developing the Roadmap Requires a 5-Stage Process:
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Identify Priority Business Needs
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Establish multi-departmental advisory committee to guide project
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Study the business needs of a wide cross-section of community foundations
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Define the different models of community foundation performance
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Research Best Practice Models
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Draw on the best practices of other fields to identify potential tools for each functional area of community foundation performance
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Thoroughly research best practice solutions in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors through both interviews and secondary research
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Define Operational Excellence
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Develop Tool Specifications
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Source Tool Development
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