Indiana Catholic Charities Gathering March 19, 2019 Mission Driven Sustainability: How to Make Strategic Decisions in Programs Indiana Catholic Charities Gathering March 19, 2019

Questions for Process To what extent is the agency/program fulfilling its goals in services to the overall mission of the agency? What are the current and expected future challenges that will impact its effectiveness and sustainability? What ways other than current means could the agency/program fulfill its goals?

Questions for Process What would be the impact on the community if the program ceased to exist? Is the program still relevant and will it remain over the next 3-5 years? What collaborations could be possible to better fulfill program goals while cutting expenses or increasing revenues?

Program Lifecycle Model Stage: I II III IV Intro Growth Maturity Decline Contribution of Resources Time

Distinguishing Characteristics Mission Fit Catholic Identity Community Need Program Effectiveness Financial Sustainability Collaboration

Four Pillars of Organizational Health Program Impact Leadership and Culture Finance and Development Marketing and Communication This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

Phase I: Introduction Characteristics Brand new programs Little established infrastructure Few, if any competitors Unmet demand for the service High level of internal and external excitement Resource intensive

Phase I: Introduction What are the strategies needed? Who needs to be involved? What is the communities reaction?

Introduction Strategies Invest in: Tap national/institutional learning – best practices Infrastructure Processes Program Administration Enlist volunteers Identify appropriate donors an sponsors – those whose long-term vision is aligned with the program and who invest in new ideas

Program Lifecycle Model Stage: I II III IV Intro Growth Maturity Decline Contribution of Resources Time

Phase II: Growth Characteristics Fast-growing, relatively new program Has achieved initial successes Gaining efficiencies Attracting external attention High internal excitement Community acceptance Program is featured in agency literature

Phase II: Growth What is needed to succeed in phase ll? Who needs to be involved? What is the goal?

Growth Strategies Goal: Increase size, scope, efficiencies Invest in Recruitment Training – program specific capital Increase capacity to respond to demand while minimizing fixed asset investments Begin lobbying process for government and/or other funding Adapt offering based on stakeholder feedback

Phase III: Peak Characteristics Program has reached maximum capacity Net contributor of resources to the agency Processes are well established Solidified, dedicated funding Competition may be present Players come into and out of the market Slackening internal excitement – things have become routine

Phase III: Contributions and Strengths What does phase III programming contribute to the agency? What should the agency do to maximize the strengths of a program in phase III?

Resource Contributions Stage III programs provide: Finances Human Resources Shared best-practices Institutional knowledge Visibility Differentiated services Mission reinforcement in community & in CC

Peak Strategy Goal: Maximize contributions to the agency Maximize resource contributions Maximize efficiencies (economies of scale, cost cutting) to provide financial resources Serve as internal consultants, mentors, trainers to newer programs Share best practices at national level

Phase IV: Decline Characteristics Losing funding/net loss/requiring subsidies Overcapacity Managerial headache; low excitement No longer low-cost or highest quality provider Shifted social priorities or needs Employee satisfaction low

Stage IV Programs are not “bad programs! Usually the move to stage IV is outside of your control: Alternatives appear Socio-political priorities change Need diminishes Internal priorities change

The Portfolio Needs Balance:

Unbalanced Portfolios Contribution of Resources Time Contribution of Resources

The Balanced Portfolio Contribution of Resources Time

Benefits of a Balanced Portfolio Nimble Responsive Adaptive Sustainable Future-focused

Flow of Resources Contribution of Resources Time

Questions and Thoughts?