2008 Accomplishments
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. No nonprofit can reflect on 2008 without acknowledging the tremendous highs and lows the year brought. An historic election that captivated the minds and hearts of many, social media tools burst onto the scene for geeks and non-geeks alike and revolutionized communications as we knew it, and of course an economic crisis unlike anything since the Great Depression.
The Saint Luke’s Foundation began 2008 with a number of organizational goals in mind – and we are pleased to report that our board and staff achieved those goals. Just as it is important for our grantees to evaluate and measure – so must we, so allow us to share some 2008 highlights with you. For further information on these highlights, click the hyperlinks contained within each bulleted item:
- Throughout 2008, we refined our internal processes and methods of outcome measurement. The report “Drowning in Paperwork,” released by Project Streamline, helped us eliminate redundancies in our processes. Most notably, we omitted the proposal narrative; revised our final reporting process to focus on the logic model; and we now request only one copy of the proposal, thereby reducing paper by over 75%.
- In 2008, 91 community grants were approved
totaling $4,087,026. The
following is a breakdown by program area:
- We designed an on-line survey of grantees to determine how they are coping with the current economic circumstances. The information gleaned from this survey is helping us determine how we can provide relevant non-financial support to our grantees.
- KidzHealth 2020, one of the Foundation’s transformational initiatives, ceased operations at the end of November 2008. Program participants were offered the option of transferring to other community organizations in Mt. Pleasant.
- The Mt. Pleasant Community Zone resumed its collaborative community planning process with partners from across the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood footprint. The results of that planning process will translate to actionable steps for the future.
- Healthy
Smiles Sealant Program, using an infusion of funds from the Robert
Wood Johnson Foundation, updated an overview video featuring
an interview with Foundation president and CEO Denise San Antonio
Zeman.
- Working with The Center for Effective Philanthropy , we completed a comprehensive, anonymous survey of grantees and applicants geared toward providing us with feedback on ways to improve our processes. Results of the survey were presented in September and subsequently were shared via the Foundation’s website. While the results were uniformly positive, we nonetheless utilized the feedback to improve upon the way we do our work – always with the grantee in mind.
- Best resource hands-down!! The Cause Communications Tool Kit, produced by Hershey/Cause Marketing, is an excellent resource for nonprofits in need of succinct marketing communications tools and tips. The Saint Luke's Foundation made a $10,000 grant to Cause Communications in support of the Communications Toolkit and continues to work with Cause Communications on ways to bring marketing communications expertise to nonprofits.
- Most of our staff, as well as our board chair, were involved in the planning and programming of the 2008 Ohio Grantmakers Forum annual conference in Cleveland. This involvement is important to the Foundation’s work as it provides an opportunity to connect and share with philanthropic leaders from across the state.
- As everyone is aware, weakness in national economic indicators and the credit crisis caused the market to experience a great deal of volatility throughout 2008. As a result of the weak economy and grants and expenses of $11 million, the Foundation’s assets dropped by approximately 30% from January 2008 through the end of the year.
- This is the first year that our investment assets are lower than budgeted assets. The Foundation set into motion aggressive efforts to trim expenses in all areas. Those efforts will continue for the foreseeable future in order for us to prioritize spending on our top priority strategy of grantmaking.
Without question, 2008 laid the groundwork for a number of challenges that foundations across the country will be grappling with now and well into the future. The Saint Luke’s Foundation will continue to work to minimize the impact on grantees and ensure fidelity to the Foundation’s mission of improving the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities throughout Greater Cleveland.
