Executive Partner: Thought partner, action partner.
It does not need to be as lonely at the top as the adage says. Executives of a foundation serve the evolving aspirations of trustees and founders for impact while meeting the day-to-day challenge of helping staff to reach their full potential in humble service to grantees and their beneficiaries. Foundation Executive Directors wear hats of substantive experts in program areas, public spokespeople, financial managers, strategists, visionaries, counselors to families, governance gurus, operational managers, and more. We believe that executive support is vital to success, and we aim not only to be a partner but to lighten the load. Examples of how we might work together:
How we might work together:
1.
1:1 Partnership and Assistance
Regular 1:1 meeting with the Executive Director oriented to problem-solving and backstopping work by Impetus Foundation Advising to support the executive.
2.
Research Partner
Act as a sounding board, independent researcher, and options creator on issues of governance, board relations, executive roles, human resources, and operations.
3.
Goal-Setting and Performance Review
Work with the Executive Director, Board, or both to set annual goals, collect Trustee and staff feedback, and develop productive goals that guide and inspire action.
A happy and well-supported foundation Executive Director sets the tone and environment for Board and Staff satisfaction, productivity, and creativity.
Operational Streamlining: Free up resources to aim at your mission.
While finance committees routinely assess opportunities for improved performance and would leap at a few percent greater returns, Boards and foundation leaders do not regularly ask “how could we be more effective across all functions to achieve more?” Or, “How could we be 5% more efficient and effective to free up more time and attention for innovation and adaptation to social change?” Small and medium-sized foundations have limited consulting budgets for going deep in specific areas and miss the forest of opportunity for improvement for being lost in the trees of approaching one functional area at a time. I believe that there is always room for improvement. Even foundations committed to learning and growth will carry legacy systems and processes that are no longer optimal for the present and foreseeable future. I believe that an external perspective can valuably identify operating inefficiencies and that staff often have vital insights and solutions when provided with support and time to foster change.
How we might work together:
1.
Many small gains add up.
Partner with staff and service providers to review current workflow, time management, prioritization, points of friction, and potential solutions. Develop an analysis of the costs and benefits of adopting new tools and practices.
2.
Annual Plans and Budgets
Do you have an efficient process for annual planning? Are your staff and Board happy with the results? I can facilitate an analysis of your procedures and work with all stakeholders to redesign and create supporting tools for your process.
3.
Foundation Tune-Up
Been doing what you've been doing for a while? Are you planning growth or change? I'll support staff, leadership, and Board in a systematic analysis of foundation finance, governance, and operations to develop a roadmap for exploration and improvement.
Stream·line: /ˈstrēmˌlīn/ verb 2. make (an organization or system) more efficient and effective by employing faster or simpler working methods.
Governance: Are your policies keeping up with you?
Foundations are governed as much by tacit policies, tradition, and unwritten rules as by the formal articles of incorporation and bylaws. I believe that documenting the governing policies of a foundation and developing a regularly scheduled process for their review and renewal can promote an operating environment that is clear, harmonious, equitable, and effective for your current needs.
How we might work together:
1.
Policy Renewal Roadmap
Review and document all formal and tacit policies of the foundation compared to an inventory of available foundation practices. Collaboratively produce a multi-year roadmap to improving operational and governance effectiveness and efficiency.
2.
Operations Handbook Collaboration
Development of a comprehensive Operations and Governance Handbook for the foundation – an invaluable tool in preparation for leadership and trustee transitions, growth and transformation, and onboarding of new staff and Trustees.
3.
Bylaws Review and Revision
Clear, comprehensive, and adaptable bylaws are the bedrock of foundation operations and are vital to multi-generational success and operating clarity. I'll work with staff, Board, leadership, and legal counsel to ensure your bylaws are meet your needs.
Effective foundation governance creates a space to nurture leadership, align to your mission, and operate in a secure and predictable context.