Introduction to Sustainability Planning

1. � 2005 The Finance Project Introduction to Sustainability Planning 35 mins-Intro/Framework/Worokbook Intro 5 min Brainstorm- 5 min Framework- 15 min Workbook- 10 min 15mins- Small Group Exercise 2 mins- Set up for Group Work- 2 mins! 10 mins for review 5 mins debrief 10 mins- Getting Started How to do this when you get home�35 mins-Intro/Framework/Worokbook Intro 5 min Brainstorm- 5 min Framework- 15 min Workbook- 10 min 15mins- Small Group Exercise 2 mins- Set up for Group Work- 2 mins! 10 mins for review 5 mins debrief 10 mins- Getting Started How to do this when you get home�

2. � 2005 The Finance Project About The Finance Project TFP is a specialized non-profit research, technical assistance and training firm for public and private sector leaders nationwide.� We have provided training and technical assistance on financing and sustainability issues since 1998

3. � 2005 The Finance Project Purpose of Today�s Session To introduce participants to tools and materials that they can use to support and/or lead effective sustainability planning processes

4. � 2005 The Finance Project Agenda Brainstorm: What makes for a sustainable initiative? Sustainability Framework Sustainability Workbook Small Group Activity: Sustainability Self-Assessment Tool Getting Started

5. � 2005 The Finance Project What is Sustainability Planning? The process of sitting down to develop specific strategies and an action plan to help ensure the long-term sustainability of an initiative Includes considering a full range of resources and capabilities � financial, political, administrative, managerial� needed to meet long-term goals

6. � 2005 The Finance Project Why Do Sustainability Planning? To clarify where you are and where you want to go To develop strategies for long-term success and benchmarks to measure progress To demonstrate to partners, funders and stakeholders the value of your work; to help bring new partners on board and energize existing relationships A written plan can provide overarching guidance for your initiative over time

7. � 2005 The Finance Project Start thinking about sustainability early! It�s never too soon to start thinking about sustainability Just what do we mean by sustainability? Let�s do a group brainstorm for a few minutes before I begin. When you think of programs that have been around for a while � what is really about them that makes them �sustainable�?It�s never too soon to start thinking about sustainability Just what do we mean by sustainability? Let�s do a group brainstorm for a few minutes before I begin. When you think of programs that have been around for a while � what is really about them that makes them �sustainable�?

8. � 2005 The Finance Project Key Elements of Sustainability 1. Vision 2. Results orientation 3. Strategic financing orientation 4. Adaptability to changing conditions 5. Broad base of community support 6. Key champions 7. Strong internal systems 8. Sustainability plan

9. � 2005 The Finance Project Vision Clear & shared vision of what you want to achieve Clear vision/mission statement Use the vision to generate buy-in Know how your initiative fits within the larger community Define your scope of activities & scale of operation over time Know what you want to sustain Know how your initiative fits within the larger community Know what you mean by sustainability Scope of activities Scale of operation Timeline Know what you want to sustain Know how your initiative fits within the larger community Know what you mean by sustainability Scope of activities Scale of operation Timeline

10. � 2005 The Finance Project 2. Results Orientation Define success, measure progress over time & share your results Adopt a results framework Be clear about the results you want to achieve for children, families & community Use data to �prove� and �improve� Communicate your results to stakeholders and funders

11. � 2005 The Finance Project 3. Strategic Financing Orientation What resources do you need to support your work? What are the expected fiscal needs? Make the best use of existing resources (funding & in-kind) Maximize available sources of revenue� federal, state, local, private Create partnerships Explore new state & local revenue sources

12. � 2005 The Finance Project 4. Adaptability to Changing Conditions How do you respond to changes in your funding & policy environments? Monitor announced opportunities for funding Consider new ways to frame your work to interest different funders Identify opportunities to improve policy climate Participate in collaborative advocacy to encourage change Work to improve ability to participate in these efforts

13. � 2005 The Finance Project 5. Broad Base of Community Support Whose support is critical for you to achieve your vision? Develop a plan to create a desired identity Nurture community presence & support Encourage family involvement Support public education & engagement Build partnerships that foster collaboration rather than competition

14. � 2005 The Finance Project 6. Key Champions Community leaders who can use power & influence on your behalf Identify key decision makers & opinion leaders Develop an effective outreach plan Cultivate a broad base of champions Elected leaders Business leaders Peers Community leaders Philanthropists

15. � 2005 The Finance Project 7. Strong Internal Systems Do you have the organizational capacity to accomplish your goals? Know & involve the people you need to carry out your mission: staff, board, volunteers, etc. Develop strong fiscal management, accounting, information & personnel systems Use those systems to review strategies, make changes as needed

16. � 2005 The Finance Project Sustainability Plan A written plan that describes the initiative�s priorities & action steps Develop a comprehensive plan that takes account of short- & long-term needs Identify challenges and/or obstacles Identify strategies to garner needed resources & overcome challenges Identify & communicate with key partners

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18. � 2005 The Finance Project Planning to Plan Goals: Develop a realistic workplan for completing the process Clarify scope of your planning effort Determine a planning group and structure Tools: Sample workplan, workplan worksheets

19. � 2005 The Finance Project Module I: Building a Sustainable Initiative Goals: To introduce the sustainability framework and planning progress To benchmark progress by identifying strengths and weaknesses Tools: Sustainability Self-Assessment

20. � 2005 The Finance Project Module II: Creating a Vision and Results Orientation Goals: To clarify �what do you want to sustain?� �what do you mean by sustainability� and how you will measure progress toward those goals Tools: Network Logic Model

21. � 2005 The Finance Project Module III: Creating a Strategic Financing Plan Goals To identify the range of fiscal resources needed to achieve your sustainability goals and to develop strategies to access those sources Tools: Fiscal worksheets

22. � 2005 The Finance Project Module IV: Building Organizational Capacity and Stakeholder Support Goals: To identify resources and design strategies related to: Adaptability to changing conditions Stakeholder support Key champions Strong internal systems Tools: Environmental scan, Assessment summary, Design worksheets

23. � 2005 The Finance Project Module V: Writing the Plan Goals: To assist in constructing a written sustainability plan Tools: Sample formats, Workplan worksheets

26. � 2005 The Finance Project Self-Assessment Tool Diagnostic tool to help you: assess progress identify internal strengths and weaknesses; external opportunities and threats determine where to target scarce resources Organized by elements; rank your progress toward a desired state First step in developing a sustainability plan Today I�d like to take you through the First tool in Sustainability Planning Workbook � guage your intiative�s readiness for sp. This tool is intended to help program developers and community leaders who are working to sustain comprehensive community initiatives assess their progress and identify areas that need extra attention, resources, or technical assistance. This diagnostic process can provide valuable information to guide the development of your sustainability plan. This assessment is organized around the eight elements that are critical to sustainability. Rank your progress- embrace the 1! We begin with an assessment of your initiative�s internal strengths and weaknesses. Then we consider the opportunities and threats in the external environment such as changes in the political climate � new funding opportunities � trends in the target population that you serve�. Finally, we help you to develop strategies based on your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The goal is to develop strategies that capitalize on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses in order to take advantage of opportunities and avoid threats.Today I�d like to take you through the First tool in Sustainability Planning Workbook � guage your intiative�s readiness for sp. This tool is intended to help program developers and community leaders who are working to sustain comprehensive community initiatives assess their progress and identify areas that need extra attention, resources, or technical assistance. This diagnostic process can provide valuable information to guide the development of your sustainability plan. This assessment is organized around the eight elements that are critical to sustainability. Rank your progress- embrace the 1! We begin with an assessment of your initiative�s internal strengths and weaknesses. Then we consider the opportunities and threats in the external environment such as changes in the political climate � new funding opportunities � trends in the target population that you serve�. Finally, we help you to develop strategies based on your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The goal is to develop strategies that capitalize on your strengths and minimize your weaknesses in order to take advantage of opportunities and avoid threats.

27. � 2005 The Finance Project Self-Assessment Rating Scale 1 = Have not started this task 2 = Have started initial conceptual and planning work 3 = Have begun to implement this task 4 = Have made solid progress in implementing this task 5 = Have made sufficient progress in completing this task

29. � 2005 The Finance Project Small Group Discussion Think about your program or initiative: Each partner has one element Read the self-assessment statements for your assigned element Discuss with your partner the particular strengths and weaknesses of your initiative Anything you would add or change? Large group debrief

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31. � 2005 The Finance Project Sustainability: Key Questions What do you want to sustain? At what scale & scope? What will it cost? What resources do you have to help you accomplish that goal? What are the barriers: political, technical, fiscal, bureaucratic? What are viable strategies to achieve your goals?

32. � 2005 The Finance Project Getting Started Determine focus of planning effort and clarify planning parameters Decide whose input you need Determine that input should be structured and managed Develop a workplan Consider planning you have already completed Don�t do it alone � bring together a team that includes key stakeholders to help you � Consider the time and resources you have available for planning � consider having an outsider facilitate Plan for intentional connections with existing long-range planning efforts so the task is not so overwhelming Design a workplan that includes key steps to complete, timeframe, and meetings Start thinking about and planning for sustainability as soon as possible --Be persistent and don�t give up! KISS � Keep it simple for sustainability Consider planning you have already completed Don�t do it alone � bring together a team that includes key stakeholders to help you � Consider the time and resources you have available for planning � consider having an outsider facilitate Plan for intentional connections with existing long-range planning efforts so the task is not so overwhelming Design a workplan that includes key steps to complete, timeframe, and meetings Start thinking about and planning for sustainability as soon as possible --Be persistent and don�t give up! KISS � Keep it simple for sustainability

33. � 2005 The Finance Project Contact Information Dionne Dobbins-Harper 202-587-1021 ddobbins@financeproject.org The Finance Project 1401 New York Ave, NW Suite 800 Washington, DC 20005 www.financeproject.org