Case Study: Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
About the Organization
Visionary Palm Beach residents Winsome and Michael McIntosh established the Palm Beach County Community Foundation with a $50,000 endowment in 1972. Their goal was to build a charitable endowment that would meet the changing needs of the community.
Today, the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties is one of Florida’s largest community foundations. The nonprofit organization has nearly 300 funds and $160 million in assets. It has invested more than $150 million in grants and scholarships over its history.
The Situation
The mission of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties (CFPBMC) is: “Together with our donors, to serve as the leading catalyst for building vibrant communities through meaningful philanthropy.” Alford Group served as counsel to CFPBMC, initially to guide the Foundation’s strategic planning process and then next, to advise in their asset-building initiatives.
The Goal
CFPBMC set out to strengthen its strategic direction and expand its philanthropic reach in anticipation of its 50th anniversary. With a bold vision for long-term, sustainable impact, the Foundation aimed to deepen community engagement, sharpen its organizational strategy, and lay the groundwork for a major fundraising campaign. The goal was to reaffirm its mission, build consensus among key stakeholders, and position the organization to accelerate asset growth, civic leadership and its capacity to tackle critical community issues.
The Approach
Alford Group facilitated the development of a strategic plan, working with staff and volunteer leaders, to identify and recruit civic leaders to engage in the planning process, to identify organizational objectives, strategies and an action plan. Together, CFPBMC and Alford Group were able to:
- Affirm the Community Foundation’s current mission
- Build consensus among board, staff and key stakeholders on the future direction of the organization
- Deepen engagement among select stakeholders and constituent groups
- Identify key objectives and strategies that would position the organization to reach its long term goals
- Develop a strong foundation upon which the Foundation could accelerate transformational and sustainable growth and community impact during the next three years and beyond
The Results
CFPBMC developed a strong strategic plan that included the mission statement, objectives, evaluation measures, strategies and actions, and Alford Group conducted an annual process to update and refine the plan.
With their new strategic plan, CFPBMC expanded its capacity to identify, lead and collaborate on important community issues. Alford Group provided pre-campaign counsel and helped form a Civic Leadership Committee to provide advice in planning a 50th anniversary campaign.
The Civic Leadership Committee helped to develop goals and the Foundation’s philanthropic value proposition. These strategies have led to the launch of the campaign, formation of a Campaign Cabinet, doubling annual asset growth in one year and setting the stage for a transformational increase in the Foundation’s funds and asset base.