Industry
Nonprofit, PreK-12 Education
Our Role
- Organizational Capacity Review
- Strategy Formulation
- Business Planning
- Focus Group Facilitation
- Data Analysis
- Change Management
- Market Research
Situation
Manchester Bidwell Corporation (MBC) is a Pittsburgh-based nonprofit educational organization. Its three major programs include Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild, Bidwell Training Center, and the National Center for Arts and Technology. MBC was in a position to enhance the capacity and sustainability of the organization. Hill Group, with support from The Heinz Endowments, completed a three-phase project, including an organizational capacity review, strategic planning process, and business planning process.
Solution
The capacity review engaged internal and external stakeholders in identifying the organization’s strengths and opportunities for improvement. The Hill Group focused the capacity review on the following 10 dimensions:
• Mission, Vision, Strategy, and Planning Program Design and Evaluation
• Human Resources
• CEO/Senior Management Team Leadership Information Technology
• Financial Management
• Fund Development
• Board Leadership
• Legal Affairs
• Marketing, Communication, and External Relations
The second step in this project was the creation of a Strategic Plan which utilized findings and recommendations from the organizational capacity review as drivers of the process. The Hill Group, engaged the Board of Directors, senior management, and staff in refining the organization’s mission, vision, and values and defining the organization’s goals and objectives over a five-year time horizon.
One of the organization’s major programs identified the need to establish a $10 million endowment to sustain its impact on students in the Pittsburgh region. The Hill Group facilitated a business planning process which built the business case for an endowment and created timelines and accountability for the campaign. This Business Plan assisted the nonprofit in securing a lead gift from the Heinz Endowments.
Results
- Completed a capacity review to identify organizational strengths and weaknesses
- Completed a three-year Strategic Plan focusing on five key Strategic Initiatives
- Developed a Business Plan for a $10 million endowment campaign, resulting in a gift from the Heinz Endowments