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Message West Ada Education FoundationStrategic2024 - 2027Plan

The West Ada Education Foundation, officially known as The Education Foundation Joint School District #2, Inc.,was established in 1987 with the mission of supporting creative and innovative programs within the West AdaSchool District. This mission continues to be a cornerstone of our organization, now complemented by ourefforts to address community needs, provide essential resources, and offer scholarships to students.This strategic plan represents a collaborative effort, incorporating valuable input from The Foundation Board,administrators, teachers, district staff, and members of our parent community. Together, we are committed toadvancing our mission and fostering meaningful impact throughout the district.We are thrilled to introduce our 2024-2027 Strategic Plan.Looking forward to continuing to support an amazing educational experience for every child in the West AdaSchool District. Thank you!-Jamie Burton, Executive DirectorExecutive Summary Core Values: Service CreativityInnovation Education

Table of Contents "Innovation ineducation is aboutmaking learningmore relevant and engaging, andpreparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing world."- George CourosMission and Vision StatementsSWOT AnalysisPriority One-Enhance Community Awareness and Engagement Priority Two-Cultivate Strategic PartnershipsPriority Three-Drive Fundraising GrowthPriority Four-Strengthen Leadership & Volunteer Network

MissionVisionPrioritiesHelping Build a Better Future. To provide supplemental fundingand support for educationalprograms and projects inclassroom innovation for thebenefit of students in the WestAda School District. Enhance Community Awareness andEngagementCultivate Strategic Partnerships Drive Fundraising Growth Strengthen Leadership & VolunteerNetwork

StrengthsSupporting educational enrichment and fostering innovation. Providing vital community assistance to those in need. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, offering tax benefits and deductiblereceipts to donors. Allowing donors the flexibility to direct their contributions toward specificinitiatives. Supporting a well-regarded school district, which is also the largest inIdaho. Maintaining a strong and enduring partnership with the West Ada SchoolDistrict. Benefiting from decades of experience and a proven track record ofsuccess. Employing passionate and dedicated staff committed to advancing theFoundation's mission. Building and sustaining strong relationships with the local businesscommunity.

WeaknessLimited visibility and awareness within both parent and teacher communities. Lack of clearly defined goals, objectives, and cohesive campaigns.A high reliance on restricted fundraising, resulting in limited opportunities forgrowth. An insufficient number of board members to drive initiatives effectively. Outdated media, logo, and branding that do not reflect current goals or values. User-unfriendly software that hampers efficiency and usability Challenges with reporting and donor segmentation, impacting communicationand outreach. Limited awareness among the parent community about the Foundation's purposeand activities. Misunderstandings within the teacher community about the Foundation’s roleand mission. Absence of clear expectations and guidelines for board members. Lack of a presence on social media, limiting engagement and outreach

OpportunitiesDefine clear goals, objectives, and actionable campaigns to guide efforts. Increase visibility and awareness through targeted outreach and strategicinitiatives. Leverage current trends to stay relevant and enhance engagement. Promote Giving Tuesday and other high-impact fundraising opportunities. Engage investors managing donor-advised funds (DAFs) and other financialinvestments. Boost visibility with Back-to-School campaigns and similar seasonal efforts. Host informal social gatherings like coffee meet-ups and raffles to buildconnections and awareness. Participate actively in school community events to increase presence andengagement. Identify and partner with organizations, foundations, and individuals whose valuesalign with the Foundation's mission.

OpportunitiesEstablish strategic partnerships within the local and broader community toexpand influence. Create high-quality, engaging content for various media platforms. Update the website for a modern, professional appearance and improvedfunctionality. Add features like a donation-matching widget to maximize contributions. Refine branding for a cohesive and recognizable identity. Ensure consistent and impactful messaging across all communicationchannels. Enhance and expand events to attract more participants and build support. Improve marketing efforts with targeted campaigns and impactful storytelling. Develop and share compelling impact stories to inspire donors and supporters. Engage donors regularly through newsletters and personalized updates. Conduct prospect research to identify and target potential supporters. Build and expand a strong volunteer network to support initiatives. Develop a clear and actionable fundraising plan to guide financial growth. Collaborate with other educational foundations to share resources andamplify collective impact.

ThreatsEconomic downturns or financial crises that impact donor capacity andorganizational stability. Health crises that disrupt operations and fundraising efforts. Changes in school enrollment are affecting the Foundation's scope and reach. Potential scandals at local, state, or federal levels that could undermine trust orcredibility. Legislative actions that negatively impact schools or donor incentives. Declining test scores could shift community focus or create perceptionchallenges. Growth of charter and alternative schools increasing competition for supportand resources. Heightened competition for limited funding from donors and grants. Risk of losing lapsed donors due to lack of engagement or shifting priorities.

StrategicPrioritiesWe aim to clarify thestrategic priorities and thestrategies to achieve themFocus AreasEnhance Community Awareness and EngagementStrengthen Leadership & Volunteer Network Cultivate Strategic Partnerships Drive Fundraising Growth

Enhance CommunityAwareness and EngagementBuild stronger connections between the foundation and thebroader community, ensuring that more people are aware ofthe foundation’s mission, values, and initiatives. By creatingopportunities for direct interaction, education, andinvolvement, the Foundation can foster a sense of communityownership and support for the foundation’s work.

Enhance CommunityAwareness and Engagement StrategiesEventsMarketingHost in-person events (e.g., coffee chats)to encourage dialogue, buildrelationships, and share theFoundation’s impact. Conduct 1:1 meetings with parents toeducate them about the Foundation’srole and initiatives.Partner with PTA/PTO organizations toraise awareness of the Foundation’sfunding priorities and areas of impact. Include Foundation events and updatesin district-wide newsletters. Promote the Foundation during back-to-school registration to increase visibility. Develop a Donor Engagement Plan tostrengthen relationships and createpathways for sustained giving. Distribute lawn signs during back-to-school events to enhance awareness inneighborhoods. Enhance the Foundation’s website andbranding to create a more engaging anduser-friendly experience. Enhance website and branding.

Cultivate Strategic Partnerships Cultivate meaningful relationships with key externalstakeholders, including corporate partners, educators, andadministrators. By fostering strong, mutually beneficialpartnerships, the Foundation can expand its resources,increase its reach, and amplify its impact. Leveraging theexpertise, networks, and funding of these stakeholders isessential to advancing the Foundation’s mission.

CorporatePartnerships Engagement withEducators &AdministratorsIdentify and develop collaborations withbusinesses that align with theFoundation’s mission and values. Establish sponsorships, joint initiatives,or cause-related marketing campaignsto increase funding and visibility. Partner with teachers and schooladministrators to deliver educationalresources, programs, and support thatdirectly benefit students and align withthe Foundation’s goals. Launch a recognition program, includingspotlight features in communicationsand "GOAT" awards, to celebrateeducators’ contributions. Actively participate in events such asthe New Teacher Breakfast, back-to-school events, and other teacher-appreciation initiatives. Distribute teacher swag during back-to-school events to create a positiveconnection with the Foundation. Cultivate Strategic Partnerships StrategiesEngage school, district, andcommunity leaders toadvocate for and implementFoundation programs,increasing awareness,accessibility, and scalabilityacross the district.

Drive Fundraising Growth Expand the Foundation’s revenue by diversifying andoptimizing fundraising efforts, with a target of increasingannual fundraising by 5%. By implementing innovativestrategies and streamlining current practices, the Foundationaims to secure sustainable funding streams to support itsprograms, initiatives, and long-term goals.

Events & GrantsAlumniEngagementDevelop an additional event designed toengage parents and their children,fostering a sense of community whileraising funds. Refine and streamline existing events tomaximize profitability and efficiency,including evaluating costs andidentifying opportunities for increasedrevenue. Identify and apply for grants fromfoundations and philanthropicorganizations that align with theFoundation’s mission and priorities. Launch a Legacy Giving Campaign toencourage long-term, impactfulcontributions. Conduct outreach to families ofgraduating students, particularly thosewith their youngest child finishingschool, to inspire legacy giftcontributions. Drive Fundraising Growth Strategies

Strengthen Leadership &Volunteer Network Strengthen the Foundation’s leadership team and volunteernetwork to effectively support its mission. By empoweringboard members, staff, and volunteers, the Foundation canensure operational excellence, sustainability of its programs,and a maximized overall impact on the community.

BoardDevelopment VolunteerEngagement,Recognition& RetentionRecruit a diverse board of directors withexpertise, skills, and connections thatalign with the Foundation’s mission. Provide ongoing training, support, andleadership development opportunitiesfor board members. Establish and communicate clear goalsand expectations for board members toenhance accountability and focus. Cultivate a robust volunteer base byactively recruiting and engagingindividuals who are passionate aboutthe Foundation’s mission. Offer clear roles, responsibilities, andopportunities for growth to ensuremeaningful involvement and long-termcommitment. Host a Donor and Volunteer RecognitionEvent to celebrate contributions andstrengthen relationships. Strengthen Leadership &Volunteer Network Strategies