1. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS United Way of America

2. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 2 Standards of Excellence Framework Impact Strategies, Resources & Results Impact Strategies, Resources & Results Relationship Building & Brand Management Community Engagement & Vision Organizational Leadership & Governance United Way’s strategy for strengthening communities Broad organizational capabilities needed to execute on strategy Operations Results for Communities, Value for Investors Core values of commitment to community success, accountability/ transparency, operational excellence, customer-centered, inclusiveness, innovation/continuous improvement

3. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 3 Five Standards: 1:Impact Strategies 2:Partner Engagement 3:Resource Development and Mobilization 4:Implementation and Action 5:Measure, Evaluate and Communicate Results “Getting focused” relates to all of these. Component 2: Impact Strategies, Resources and Results

4. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 4 Intended Outcomes As a result of this presentation, you will: Understand the strategic benefits of focusing your resources to achieve targeted results Have a framework and examples to help your organization narrow its focus Know issues to consider in making decisions Have advice and lessons learned from United Ways that have focused successfully

5. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 5 Getting focused: Why do it? What are the benefits? What does “getting focused” look like? How one United Way got focused Making decisions about your focus Other lessons learned Related resources Topics

6. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 6 Contributed to their recognition as a community leader around specific community issues Led to a framework for a 5-year investment strategy focused on community change Provided a rational alternative to historical funding Helped them to say “no” to work not in alignment Helped align skills and resources Benefits Reported by “Focused” United Ways

7. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 7 Defined different investment products to ­offer to different donor segments and ­serve as alternatives to agency designations Provided content for a marketing strategy that differentiates them Revitalized interest in the United Way by donors, staff, volunteers, partners Attracted new people with fresh ideas Benefits of Getting Focused, continued

8. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 8 Getting focused: Why do it? What are the benefits? What does “getting focused” look like? How one United Way got focused Making decisions about your focus Other lessons learned Related resources Topics

9. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 9 What Does “Getting Focused” Mean? Selecting a limited number of issues and strategies in which to invest time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, and other resources to improve people’s lives Getting focused is essential for delivering meaningful results with limited resources

10. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 10 Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Focus Area What Does “Getting Focused” Look Like?

11. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 11 Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Focus Area What Does “Getting Focused” Look Like? Specific direct-service and/or community change strategies for improving lives

12. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 12 Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Focus Area Next level; more specific Next level; still more specific Next level; even more specific What Does “Getting Focused” Look Like? Specific direct-service and/or community change strategies for improving lives

13. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 13 United Way of Santa Fe County Levels of Focus Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Priority Area Goal Objective Strategy

14. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 14 United Way of the Midlands (Omaha) Levels of Focus Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Focus Area Impact Initiative Strategy Project

15. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 15 United Way of America Levels of Focus Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Focus Area Vision Objective Strategy Target Issue

16. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 16 Focus Area: Healthy Children Getting Focused e.g. Vision: Our community’s children are physically and mentally healthy Specific Strategies: ??? Target issue: Dental health of preschool children Objectives: Ensure that children establish good dental health habits early Promote regular dental check-ups and needed treatment beginning at age 1

17. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 17 Specific Direct-service and Community- change Strategies Incorporate information on children’s dental health care in parenting programs Promote dental health education activities in child care centers Prevention & development services that: Increase parents’ knowledge of child dental health Amend state Medicaid guidelines to cover children’s dental care Efforts to influence community changes that: Influence a media campaign on children’s issues to spotlight child dental health Breakthrough opportunities to advance community change efforts Provide evaluation and referrals for emergency dental care for children in homeless shelters Basic human-needs & crisis services that: e.g.

18. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 18 Specific Strategies Mapped on Community Investment Triangle Provide evaluations and referrals for emergency dental care for children in homeless shelters Incorporate child dental health care infor- mation in parenting programs Promote dental health ed in child care centers Increase parents’ knowledge of child dental health Influence media campaign Amend state Medicaid guidelines to cover children’s dental care e.g.

19. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 19 Getting focused: Why do it? What are the benefits? What does “getting focused” look like? How one United Way got focused Making decisions about your focus Other lessons learned Related resources Topics

20. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 20 United Way of Santa Fe County Levels of Focus Investments of time, relationships, technology, expertise, money, other resources Priority Area Goal Objective Strategy

21. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 21 Getting Focused in Santa Fe County How and How Long – Level 1: Priority Areas Who Did What: Staff researched & provided options. Included research into other UWs, survey of donors, discussion of options, selection of draft Community Investment Committee (CIC) proposed Staff & CIC identified & recruited experts for Work Groups (agency & nonprofit staff and other community members with expertise in each priority area). Work Groups & Board approved proposed priority areas How Long It Took: Approximately 5 months (not including board approval)

22. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 22 United Way of Santa Fe County Four Priority Areas  Helping Kids Succeed  Improving Health & Healing  Increasing Self-sufficiency  Unifying Our Diverse Community

23. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 23 Getting Focused in Santa Fe County How and How Long – Level 2: Goals Who Did What: Staff provided options CIC recommended Work Groups reviewed, approved Board approved How Long It Took: Once priority areas determined, draft in about 1 month Finalized in 2 more months (not including board approval)

24. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 24 Getting Focused in Santa Fe County A Goal Within a Priority Area Priority Area: Increasing Self-sufficiency Goal: Individuals and families have opportunities to maintain independence and improve their quality of life

25. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 25 Getting Focused in Santa Fe County How and How Long – Level 3: Objectives Who Did What: Staff synthesized Work Group input, drafted objectives CIC recommended Work Groups vetted Board approved How Long It Took: Approximately 3 months, not including board approval (1 month overlap with finalizing goals)

26. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 26 Priority Area: Increasing Self-sufficiency Goal: Individuals and families have opportunities to maintain independence and improve their quality of life Objective: Increase economic opportunities and financial security for families and individuals by focusing on financial skills, housing options, employment and job opportunities, and functional literacy Getting Focused in Santa Fe County Objectives for a Goal

27. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 27 Getting Focused in Santa Fe County How and How Long – Level 4: Strategies How Long It Took: Approximately 2 months Who Did What: Staff synthesized Work Group input, drafted strategies CIC recommended Work Groups vetted Board approved

28. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 28 Provide outreach and education leading to financial literacy and security for low-income, at-risk populations Provide people in the hospitality industry with skills needed to advance their careers Prevention & development services that: Promote innovative approaches such as IDAs to help families become self-sufficient Develop partnerships between nonprofits and educational institutions that lead to careers in small business and nonprofit management Efforts to influence community changes that: Increase the development of affordable housing Breakthrough opportunities to advance community change efforts No strategies identified for investment Basic human-needs & crisis services that: Getting Focused in Santa Fe County Direct-service and Community-change Strategies for One Objective

29. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 29 Getting focused: Why do it? What are the benefits? What does “getting focused” look like? How one United Way got focused Making decisions about your focus Lessons learned from the field Related resources Topics

30. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 30 At Each Level of Decision-making About Your Focus: Be clear about the topic – what you are trying to decide Understand how it fits within the level above and provides the context for the level below Define criteria to guide the decision Based on the criteria, decide what specific information you need to make the decision Think strategically about who to engage Be prepared to amend earlier decisions

31. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 31 In Each Level of Decision-making: Engagement Focus Area next level Strategies

32. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 32 Engagement Not about engaging everyone in every decision Not necessarily about engaging the same players in each decision Agencies Individuals Corporations Labor groups Government Foundations Academia Institutions Systems Neighborhoods Formal organizations Faith-based groups Informal associations Networks Demographic groups Issue advocates Community investors

33. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 33 Strategic Engagement The right players At the right points in the process In the right roles For the right purposes

34. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 34 Considering... what you are trying to decide at this point the information needed to apply your decision-making criteria the realities of history, political climate, turf, influence, etc. other important considerations Deciding Who to Engage knowledge skills relationships population perspective affiliations legitimacy support for implementation etc. what people/organizations/interests need to be involved to provide the required...

35. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 35 Getting focused: Why do it? What are the benefits? What does “getting focused” look like? How one United Way got focused Making decisions about your focus Other lessons learned Related Resources Topics

36. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 36 Other Lessons Learned Things they’re glad they did Lots of communication with agencies and donors along the way Engagement of people with specific expertise through work groups to provide input and vetting at each level Staff provided recommendations to volunteers, who actually made decisions Regular education of board members Not holding out for consensus on every decision

37. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 37 Best advice they can offer Fewer (focus areas, objectives, strategies) is better Involve all organizational functions in the process Persevere. Unless you are ready for a long- term commitment, do not start You can proceed at different speeds with different focus areas Other Lessons Learned

38. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 38 Best advice they can offer, continued Adapt. Be ready to change based on valid input while maintaining the core of your original plan Expect and work with resistance from some agencies and other stakeholders Take as much time as you need, but no more Have courage and take (calculated) risks Other Lessons Learned

39. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 39 Best advice they can offer, continued Communicate, communicate, communicate – internally and externally Volunteers need to know why you need to focus, how decisions will be used, how it’s being done Funded agencies/programs, other partners, stakeholders need to know how, why, what it may mean for them Other Lessons Learned

40. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 40 Getting focused: Why do it? What are the benefits? What does “getting focused” look like? Making decisions about your focus How one United Way got focused Lessons learned from the field Related resources Topics

41. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 41 The Community Investment Triangle: Targeting Our Resources (keyword: CITriangle) Connecting Program Outcome Measurement to Community Impact (keyword: POM-CI) Getting Focused to Make Tough Choices (keyword: GetFocused) Redefining Agency Relationships for Community Impact (keyword: RedefineAgency) Small Cities: Getting Focused for Greater Results webinar replay (http://uwa.breezecentral.com/p84658172/) Related Resources on United Way Online

42. Focusing on Issues and Strategies for RESULTS 42